Tuesday 8 April 2014, London.

BFI Southbank today announces its forthcoming African Odysseys programme, with screenings of inspirational films by and about the people of Africa including Comrade President (2012), Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution (2013) and the UK Premiere of I Am The Gorgon: Bunny ‘striker’ Lee and the Roots of Reggae (2013). Screenings will be followed by Q&As with the film’s respective directors Mosco Kamwendo, Bruce Paddington and Diggory Kenrick.

April’s screening will be a historical portrait of key Mozambique political figure, Samora Machel, whose life was cut short by a plane crash in 1986. Comrade President provides an insight into the complex challenge of leadership and looks a man whose fascinating life saw him go from training to be a nurse, to leading the liberation movement Frelimo, to eventually becoming Mozambique’s first president. Following the screening there will be a discussion with the director of this important film Mosco Kamwendo, producer Marilia Angove and Dr Ama Biney (editor PAMBAZUKA).

May’s African Odyssey selection is Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution; directed by Dr Bruce Paddington, Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, the film marks the 30 year anniversary of the massacre at Fort Rupert. On 25 October 1983, Ronald Reagan sent 8,000 members of the US Armed Forces to invade Grenada, an island with a population of just over 100,000. They were responding to the execution of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop at Fort Rupert on 19 October 1983, a man who had led the island’s revolutionary regime for four years. That day saw over 100 civilians, many of them children, lose their lives and this extraordinary film charts the political struggle and the elation following the people’s brief revolution. Following the film there will be a panel discussion with Professor Gus John (author of ‘Time to Tell – the Grenada Massacre and After’), Michael La Rose (Chair, George Padmore Institute) and director Bruce Paddington.

June will see the UK Premiere of I Am The Gorgon: Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee and the Roots of Reggae. A must-see for music fans, I Am The Gorgon documents the life of legendary producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, telling the story of Jamaican music through the life of this extraordinary man; from ska to rocksteady; dub to dancehall; from the backstreets of Kingston to the concert halls of the world. Director Diggory Kenrick and the film’s narrator, musician Dennis Alcapone, will take to the stage for a discussion following the screening.Please make any interview requests to: Liz Parkinson – Assistant Press Officer, BFI Southbank [email][email protected] / 020 7957 8918

Event Listings:

Comrade President + Q&A
Zimbabwe-Portugal 2012 Directed by Mosco Kamwendo Running time 89 min
Samora Machel died in a plane crash in 1986. Cut down in his prime, he remains an intriguing figure in African liberation. While he was training to be a nurse, racist laws imposed by the Portuguese colonial government prompted him to join the liberation movement Frelimo, where he rose to become commander in 1970. He became Mozambique’s first President just five years later. Rebuilding the country along Marxist lines, Machel welcomed anti-apartheid revolutionaries fighting in neighbouring Rhodesia and South Africa. These regimes retaliated, and forced him to sign the controversial Nkomati Accord in 1984. This historical portrait provides insight into the complex challenge of leadership and the journey to freedom.

We hope to welcome the film’s director and wider team to participate in a post-screening discussion. Please check back nearer the time for confirmation. Tickets £6 Sat 26 Apr 26 14:00 NFT1
Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution + Panel discussion
Trinidad and Tobago 2013. Dir Bruce Paddington. 150min
On 25 October 1983, Ronald Reagan sent 8,000 members of the US Armed Forces to invade Grenada, an island with a population of just over 100,000. They were responding to the execution of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop at Fort Rupert on 19 October 1983, a man who had led the island’s revolutionary regime for four years. Dr Bruce Paddington, Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, marks the 30 year anniversary of the massacre at Fort Rupert – a day that saw over 100 civilians, many of them children, lose their lives. His extraordinary film charts the political struggle and the elation following the people’s brief revolution, a revolution that ended in such tragedy.

The screening will include a panel discussion with with Professor Gus John (author of ‘Time to Tell – the Grenada Massacre and After’), Michael La Rose (Chair, George Padmore Institute) and filmmaker Bruce Paddington. This event is in association with the June Givanni Pan African Film Archive.
Tickets £6.50
Sat 17 May 14:00 NFT1
UK Premiere: I Am The Gorgon: Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee and the Roots of Reggae
UK 2013. Dir Diggory Kenrick. 86min. Digital
This documentary film about legendary producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee tells the story of Jamaican music through the life of one extraordinary man; from ska to rocksteady; dub to dancehall; from the backstreets of Kingston to the concert halls of the world. Lee worked with early pioneers such as Duke Reid and innovators such as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Sly and Robbie, and his association with King Tubby in the 70s gave rise to the genre known as dub. Lee’s story involves politics, arguments, gangs and guns as Jamaican music spread from the ghettos of Kingston to the furthest reaches of the globe. We hope to welcome director Diggory Kenrick and the film’s narrator, musician Dennis Alcapone as well as assorted figures from Jamaican music scene, for a discussion around what will be a unique and musical event
+ Sound Business
UK 1981. Dir Molly Dineen. 43min
Late, great Mikey Dread narrates this original footage of the mighty Coxsone Sound System in the early 1980s. Director Molly Dineen will introduce the screening Sat 14 June 14:00 NFT1

Press Contacts:
Liz Parkinson – Assistant Press Officer, BFI Southbank
[email][email protected] / 020 7957 8918 Ilona Cheshire – Press Officer, BFI Southbank
[email][email protected] / 020 7957 8986

NOTES TO EDITORS:

African Odysseys has been running for 7 years and shows monthly film events by and about the people of Africa and its world diasporas. It is generated by a steering group of programmers and promoters, including David Somerset of BFI Education who initiated this unique strand of monthly contextualised events.

About the BFI

The BFI is the lead organisation for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:  Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema  Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations.

Championing emerging and world class film makers in the UK investing in creative,
distinctive and entertaining work 
Promoting British film and talent to the world 
Growing the next generation of film makers and audiences

The BFI Southbank is open to all. BFI members are entitled to a discount on all tickets. BFI Southbank Box Office tel: 020 7928 3232. Unless otherwise stated tickets are £11.00, concs £8.50 Members pay £1.50 less on any ticket. Website www.image.net under BFI / BFI Southbank