Black History Walks discusses banned Black films screened by African Odysseys since 2007 with facts, statistics and reasons.
A film still from Winnie
In honour of James Baldwin's birthday, 2nd August, and the recent nearby blue plaque unveiling in his honour, Black History Walks discuss his little known role as a film critic and screenwriter. They will look at some of the films he liked and disliked, and highlight some of the many Black films that have been literally or figuratively banned
The African Odysseys film programme has been screening fantastic Black films once a month with Q&As for 17 years. It is the only such programme in the country.
Some of the films that have been shown have been literally banned and this presentation will go through at least 20 of them explaining what these films were about, why they were banned and the current methods of suppressing Black films that challenge Hollywood stereotypes. We will cover:
Government agencies and their role in suppressing independent movie production
Origins of African Odysseys
Baldwin and Malcolm X the hidden story
How to ban a film without appearing to ban it
‘We don’t want a full house of Black people even if it will make us money’ with proof
Where to access great African/Caribbean films
Black Lives Matter and the link to Film
African Odysseys at the BFI Black and Banned season 2018
New platforms for viewing positive African/Caribbean content
Extracts from Black History Walks in London Vol 1 which has extensive details about Black film exhibition
The Baldwin 100 Festival celebrates the centenary of James Baldwin’s birth, and commemorates his visit to Hackney in 1985. Hackney Libraries are proud to be collaborating with Black History Walks, Hackney CVS, Jacaranda Books, Rio Cinema, Way Wive Wordz, Words of Colour and Young Lit Stars to bring you a fantastic programme from July to September 2024.
