Join Windrush Caribbean film Festival and ALT A REVEW at Rio Cinema on 24 June to celebrate the late Menelik Shabazz and the work he done to present a positive narrative around black British culture despite the push back he was met with in the film industry he still managed to produce ground-breaking work. His unmatched determination to create his own story meant a legacy of films that should be kept alive. Unwittingly a strong voice for the Windrush Generation.
Event overview 3pm 24th June 2023 Rio Cinema London: https://riocinema.org.uk/home
WCFF2023: 75 YEARS OF BLACK BRITISH CINEMA
The 2023 Windrush Caribbean Film festival explores the complex relationship between the big screen and the Windrush migrants from the Commonwealth through screenings of films from the 75 years of Black British Cinema. Interactive workshops and thought-provoking events will once again highlight the artistic, political and social contribution of the original pioneers as well as their descendants who are shaping Britain today, forming their own cultural and political narratives and identities to shine bright in their own starry night.
This programme features the work Menelik Shabazz (1954-2021), the Barbados-born British film director, producer, educator, writer, and a pioneer in the development of independent Black-British cinema, who was at the forefront of contemporary British filmmaking for more than 30 years. Although best known for the 1981 film BURNING AN ILLUSION his first feature, he was also co-founder in the 1980s of Kuumba film production company and Ceddo Film and Video Workshop, as well as being the ‘founding father ‘of the BFM media project as the publisher of Black Filmmaker Magazine and creator of BFM International Film Festival.
The screening is hosted by Media Partner Joy Coker chaired by Menelik’s daughter from http://www.alt-africa.com and is followed by a discussion on his influence and legacy. Panel to be confirmed.
STEP FORWARD YOUTH (12A) – UK 1977
Dir. Menelik Shabazz
29 mins.
In the mid-1970s, black British youth were perceived through the media as criminals, treated as outcasts and invisible. The film’s vision was influenced by notables which include Macolm X, Black Panthers, Angela Davis and George Jackson.
and
STORY OF LOVERS ROCK (12A) – UK 2011
Dir. Menelik Shabazz.
Dennis Bovell, Janet Kay, Angie Le Mar.
101mins
Menelik Shabazz shines a light on the music genre often dubbed ‘romantic reggae’; a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems.
Lovers Rock, often dubbed ‘romantic reggae’ is a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Live performance, comedy sketches, dance, interviews and archive shed light on the music and the generation that embraced it. Lovers Rock allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance- known as ‘scrubbing’- at parties and clubs. This dance provided a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets. The film sheds light on a forgotten period of British music, social and political history.
Menelik Shabazz born in 1954 – and died 28th June 2021) was a Barbados-born British film director, producer, educator, and writer, acknowledged as a pioneer in the development of independent Black British cinema, having been at the forefront of contemporary British filmmaking for more than 30 years. He arrived in the UK at age six. From an early age, he watched mobile cinema in his village in Barbados but didn’t entertain the idea of making films until age 18..
An important voice and an award-winning UK film director, producer, and writer – key in the development of contemporary black British cinema .
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