17 years of success: African Odysseys @BFI, a review

Sunday 22 September

Showcase of some of the best events since 2007 + comments from actors/ directors/ audiences as to the impact and legacy of African Odysseys

 

In advance of the fantastic and rare Claude Mckay film on 28th September 2pm, tickets here https://blackhistorywalks.co.uk/films/

we present a review of some of the best films/talks we’ve hosted over 17 years. Plus, a tiny sample of the history behind this unique collaboration between youthful, grassroots, community activists and the 91 year old white grandad of British film. This partnership has led to frequent sell outs of 450 seat venues without any of the marketing or money Hollywood blockbusters have.

2024 marks 17 years of monthly African Odysseys film shows. It is the only such programme in the country. We have shown thousands of films to tens of thousands of people at low cost. The programme hitself is historic. Read the book ‘Black History Walks in London Volume 1′ from @jacarandabooks for a brief history of Black film exhibition HERE

No other cinema in the country offers a monthly showing of Afrcan/Caribbean films PLUS a Q&A session. The programme has proven hugely successful over the last 17 years and has created an impressive archive of general history, film history and recorded Q&As with directors, actors and producers.

In this session we will hear from pioneers of Black film when cinemas were hostile to screening Black films and having ‘too many’ Black people in their venues. This is a Zoom event held online, all times are UK times. Link will be sent to you in advance.

We will cover:

  • Cinemas and attitudes to Black people 1990’s to 2020s
  • The Grenadan ‘clash of civilisations’
  • Brazil, abolition, big crowds and martial arts
  • Even MORE Banned Black films
  • Movies made from foxholes in Sudan while being bombed
  • Tim Reid, African-American owned studios and training the next generation
  • Hackney council estates, the Spectacular Terry Jervis and his incredible career
  • Professor Gus John/Gary Younge and Black British Civil rights
  • Warrior Women of Angola/Guyana/Ghana, platforming Black women intellectuals
  • The Amazing James Baldwin
  • Institutional racism in the film business, fighting behind the scenes
  • Racist film magazines

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