New film on colonial history: Velvet Film presents 'Exterminate All The Brutes'

 

When the fruit of our (very) collective labour comes to life: This film started in the summer 2017, when I joined Velvet Film for the third time as a researcher.

Alexandra Strauss is the outstanding editor. 

Soon on air in the US (April) then UK and ARTE (France/Germany):  

‘Exterminate All The Brutes’ Premieres April 7 on HBO

Source: https://vacancy-mag.com/exterminate-all-the-brutes-premieres-april-7-on-hbo/

BY ADRIANA CHAVEZ

JANUARY 26, 2021

Exterminate All The Brutes by acclaimed filmmaker Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro, HBO’s Sometimes in April), is a four-part series that pushes the boundaries of traditional documentary filmmaking, offering an expansive exploration of the exploitative and genocidal aspects of European colonialism, from America to Africa and its impact on society today. The series will debut on HBO with two back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with the final two episodes, airing back-to-back Thursday, April 8 at the same time. All four episodes of the series will be available to stream on HBO Max on April 7 to coincide with the linear premiere. The film’s HBO debut date coincides with the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda.

Peck will participate in a discussion with Tabitha Jackson, Festival Director, at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival as part of their Big Conversation series on January 29. The conversation, titled The Past In the Present: A Personal Journey through Race, History and Filmmaking,  will explore Peck’s work and the timely themes illuminated in Exterminate All The Brutes, using clips from the series to guide the conversation. 

A journey in time, Exterminate All The Brutes is a filmmaker’s personal voyage into the darkest hours of humanity, in which Peck deconstructs the making and masking of history, digging deep into European white supremacy’s ideology.  Peck challenges the audience to re-think the very notion of how history is being written.

The series is based on three works by authors and scholars – Sven Lindqvist’s Exterminate All The Brutes, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz’s An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, and Michel-Rolph Trouillot’s Silencing the Past – Exterminate All The Brutes revisits and reframes the profound meaning of the Native American genocide and American slavery, and their fundamental implications for our present.

The series artfully weaves together rich documentary footage and archival material, as well as dynamic animation and interpretive scripted scenes and aims to tell a sweeping story in which history, contemporary life and fiction are wholly intertwined. Peck meticulously disrupts formal and artistic film conventions, freely weaving together scripted and unscripted content.

The scripted portions, written by Peck, are woven throughout the series and together create a storyline where reality and fiction are dramatically intertwined into one multilayered story. Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down) plays the lead role in the scripted portions of the film.  The genre-bending series offers a counter-narrative to white Eurocentric history, from the 12Th century Crusades through the presidency of Donald Trump.

Exterminate All The Brutes is produced by Velvet Film. Written and directed by Raoul Peck. Emmy winners Raoul Peck and Rémi Grellety serve as executive producers.

Solidarity with the Colston 4

I fully support this statement: 

 Press Release: Monday 25th January 2021 

Campaign group Countering Colston comment on the first hearing of the Colston 4 

Today, the 25 January 2021 four people, Rhian Graham, 29, Milo Ponsford, 25, Jake Skuse, 32, and Sage Willoughby, 21, will appear at Bristol Magistrates Court charged with causing criminal damage to the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol City Centre during a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest on 7 June 2020. The BLM demonstration attracted thousands of protestors. These four young people were selected out of a crowd of hundreds who cheered as the statue of Edward Colston, a leading organiser and profiteer from the enslavement of African people, was dumped into the Floating Harbour. Whilst we do not endorse criminal damage, we do not support any prosecution as it is neither in the public nor Bristol's interest in terms of where we are presently as a city. Non prosecution would be a step towards reconciliation and healing. 

There has been a century long history of dissent and protest in Bristol over the celebration and memorialisation of Edward Colston. The prominence given to the statue of Colston in the City Centre has been symbolic affront to many Bristolians. Despite protests and petitions over more than three decades, and particularly over the last five years, Bristol City Council (BCC) has largely failed to listen to people’s concerns over idolising a slave trader in the centre of our city. 

Instead in 2018 Bristol City Council redeveloped the statue’s setting, spending millions of pounds on its location which had the effect of making the slave trader’s sculpture even more prominent. The failure to address the concerns and feelings of Bristolians, particularly of African-Caribbean heritage, led to the statue being repeatedly ‘damaged’ by the application of unofficial history plaques, posters, graffiti and props telling ‘the truth’ about Edward Colston. In each case the statue was speedily repaired by BCC. 

In 2017, as public institutions such as schools and concert halls began to remove the ‘toxic brand’ of Edward Colston the question of the statue became prominent. This led BCC to launch a project in 2018 to add a ‘corrective plaque’ to the statue. This project failed after interventions by the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV) and their supporters sanitised the wording on the plaque, leading Mayor Rees to halt the project. With no public forum to enable people to voice their concerns and with no apparent inclination or will in BCC to deal with the issue the situation became untenable. 

This state of affairs was aptly summarised by Prof. David Olusoga: 

‘I wish it [Edward Colston’s statue] had been removed 20 to 30 years ago by the authorities, and it would have been if there had not been people in Bristol determined to defend the life of a mass murderer’. 

Prof. Olusoga, we believe, is referring in part to undemocratic and unelected organisations of wealthy business people such as the SMV. Edward Colston and his colleagues in the Venturers were architects of the English slave trade, but the Merchants are not just a historical relic; they are an elite network who continues to run or be financially involved in a huge number of Bristol’s public services, schools, cultural and public spaces. The SMV have sustained the narrative of how Colston has been remembered in the city, celebrated his accumulation of wealth, yet ignored his crimes against humanity. The SMV has both financial interests in the brand of Colston as well an outmoded need to defend their icon’s dubious ‘tradition’. 

Without the actions of BLM demonstrators on 7 June 2020, the statue of Edward Colston would have remained in place and the city would have continued to carry this embarrassing and damaging burden into the 21st Century. 

Instead, the fall of Colston has galvanised individual and institutional soul searching locally, nationally and internationally, re-assessing relationships to the history of 2 slavery and colonialism. Bristol’s international reputation as a progressive city has been significantly enhanced by the events of June 7th but there is still plenty of work to be done. 

The prevalence of inequalities in Bristol outlined by the 2017 Runnymede Trust report (1) and the lack of a dedicated memorial and museum to remember the victims of transatlantic slavery remain neglected issues. Nationally and internationally, Bristol’s reputation and lack of will to examine its past over the decades, has been noted. The eyes of the world will now fall upon how it chooses to proceed.

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 Countering Colston (CC) is a network of individuals committed to the decolonisation of Bristol through: 

-Remembering the full, true history of transatlantic slavery, colonialism and exploitation 

-Commemorating and mourning the people who suffered and died as a result of the slave trade, and recognising the coerced economic contribution that they made 

-Celebrating the people who courageously resisted slavery and fought for abolition and emancipation -Acknowledging and repairing, as far as possible, the negative effects in the present day of historical slavery 

-Promoting ideas of human dignity, equality and freedom We aim for a world where we can all coexist as equals and with respect, dignity and equity. 

Contact: counteringcolston@gmail.com 

For further comment: please ring Cleo Lake on 07462 131098. 

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(1) Runnymede report https://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/CoDE%20Briefing%20Bristol%20v2.pdf

Arnolfini: 1961 - 2021: Coming celebrations!

 

Bristol’s International Centre for Contemporary Arts est. 1961 The Restless Image: a discrepancy between the seen position and the felt position 1975 Rose Finn-Kelcey © courtesy the Estate of Rose Finn-Kelcey and The Hyman Collection part of A Picture of Health | Women Photographers from The Hyman Collection at Arnolfini Welcome back to Arnolfini in 2021 - even if it is not yet in the circumstances that we would all have wanted. Arnolfini is 60 years old in 2021 and we will share our programme plans to celebrate in the coming weeks and months as conditions allow. This year we will also continue to amplify, share and develop our partnership with UWE, Bristol through many joint projects and creative ideas. As current Director of Arnolfini it’s a huge privilege to be custodian of this extraordinary 60 year history of cultural activity and we let it guide our continued determination to bring culture and art to the city, the south west and its many communities in as many ways as we can. This year we will continue to extend our programme of major exhibitions with artists Frank Bowling and Stephen Gill, further grow our range of community based programmes, welcome the work of many partner organisations and artists and open new spaces and new initiatives to extend our programming. In 2020 our exhibitions, events and online presentations were experienced by tens of thousands of people, despite the restrictions of the pandemic, and we opened our doors at every possible opportunity to make sure as many people could visit in person as feasible. Behind the scenes we have adapted to the changes, building many new projects and partnerships, and we are excited and ready to share these as soon as we are able. We look forward to working for you - our audiences, friends and partners - in 2021 to continue to bring great contemporary art to Bristol and the region and to our online platforms. Thank you all for your invaluable, ongoing support and we hope to see you soon. Gary Topp, Executive Director, Arnolfini JO SPENCE AND A PICTURE OF HEALTH We have extended the run of both Jo Spence: From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy | Photographs from The Hyman Collection and A Picture of Health | Women Photographers from The Hyman Collection until end May 2021 in the hope that we may be able to welcome you back into Arnolfini in person in future months. In the meantime, get a feel of both exhibitions with a filmic walkthrough, details below. Cinderella Panels Jo Spence 1984  In collaboration with Rosy Martin. © The Jo Spence Memorial Archive, Ryerson Image Centre, Toronto, Canada   Jo Spence: From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy | Photographs from The Hyman Collection is a major retrospective of the work of photographer Jo Spence, drawn from one of the most comprehensive collections of her work in the world. From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy focuses on the intersection between arts, health and wellbeing, celebrating Spence’s work as a photo therapist in which she used photography as a medium to address personal trauma, reflecting on key moments in her past.  until  end May 2021 I Was Never Good at Yoga, Exercise Balls 2015 Polly Penrose © courtesy of  the artist and The Hyman Collection,   A Picture of Health | Women Photographers from The Hyman Collection draws together major works from Heather Agyepong, Sonia Boyce, Eliza Hatch, Susan Hiller, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Anna Fox, Rosy Martin (in collaboration with Verity Welstead), Polly Penrose, Jo Spence, and Paloma Tendero. The exhibition aims to de-stigmatise subjects around mental health and create an environment in which people can have open conversations about their wellbeing, whilst including the voices of local people with lived experiences of mental health.  until end May 2021 Our friends at The Hyman Collection, who generously loaned us the works for Jo Spence and A Picture of Health, are planning for both shows to be available as touring exhibitions. Keep an eye here and on our socials for details as they become available. With thanks for their support to and sponsor of A Picture of Health, SPRING / SUMMER AT ARNOLFINI Looking forward to hopefully less challenging and sunnier times, Arnolfini are thrilled to bring you two of the finest artists in their respective disciplines. FRANK BOWLING As Above So Below, Frank Bowling, 2020, acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of Sir Frank Bowling Kt OBE RA and Hauser & Wirth (c) Sir Frank Bowling. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2020 Arnolfini are delighted to invite audiences to a major exhibition with pioneering painter Sir Frank Bowling, OBE RA. The exhibition will feature new and recent work, as Frank continues his exploration and experimentation with the painted surface that has marked his extraordinary career. The exhibition follows Bowling’s recent signing with Hauser & Wirth who will stage their first exhibition of Bowling’s work at the New York gallery in April 2021 and London gallery in May 2021. The Arnolfini exhibition will be Bowling’s first museum exhibition since his widely applauded and long overdue retrospective at Tate Britain in 2019 which cemented his reputation as a ‘modern master’. 3 July to 26 September 2021 STEPHEN GILL image: From The Pillar 2015 - 2019 © Stephen Gill  In a year of anniversaries at Arnolfini, we will be celebrating over thirty years of extraordinary practice from Bristol-born photographer Stephen Gill, drawing together new previously un-exhibited work, alongside works from other iconic series including Hackney Flowers, Buried, Talking to Ants, Night Procession, Pigeons, Coexistence and Coming up for Air. Also featuring the first UK presentation of images from award winning photographic series and book The Pillar, the exhibition will explore Gill’s rich sense of place, leading us through the flea markets and towpaths of Hackney Wick in London, to his current rural surroundings amidst the Swedish countryside. 16 October 2021 to 16 January 2022 ARNOLFINI'S 60TH image: centre Jeremy Rees, Founder of Arnolfini 1937-2003 In March 1961 co-founders Jeremy and Annabel Rees realised their pioneering ambition to bring contemporary art to Bristol and open the first Arnolfini gallery above a small bookshop in Clifton. Throughout its 60 year history Arnolfini’s programme has welcomed tens of thousands of artists, from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds, supporting and developing their work, investigating their influences and aspirations, to share their creations to tens of millions of people here in Bristol. Our 2021 anniversary programme will feature artists including Peter Blake, Keith Piper, Sutapa Biswas, Ian Breakwell, and David Nash, presented in a range of different formats, with the involvement of a range of different collaborators. Sam Francis will present an online residency, focusing on Somerset – A Year in the Life of a Field, by Westcountry artist Lizzie Cox Seminal performance artist Bobby Baker, whose work explores and celebrates everyday life, and promotes gender equality, will deliver an online performance. We will also launch a new publication by Writer In Residence, Melissa Chemam, reflecting on the histories of African and African Diaspora artists at Arnolfini, as well as join with our long-term partners In Between Time who celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2021. More details to follow soon. Meantime, if you would like to explore Arnolfini’s History and Archive, please head to Arnolfini | History and Archive. We would love to hear your memories of Arnolfini, please get in touch at archive@arnolfini.org.uk. ARNOLFINI ONLINE images: Lisa Whiting for Arnolfini Arnolfini are proud to be collaborating with Rising Arts Agency, a community of young creatives aged 16 – 30 at all stages of their careers. Rising’s Young Creative, Manoel Akure’s walkthrough films for A Picture of Health | Women Photographers from The Hyman Collection as well as Jo Spence: From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy | Photographs from The Hyman Collection are available to view from the link below. For more of Manoel’s work, please visit www.blouhaus.com VIEW HERE ART IN THE CITY ONLINE Following an enthusiastic response, we have extended the availability of Heather Agyepong's Art in the City, part of a series of international artist’s talks co-presented by Fine Art UWE Bristol and Arnolfini at the end of last year. image: Too Many Blackamoors (#2), 2015, Heather Agyepong. (Courtesy of the artist-Autograph ABP)   Join Heather Agyepong, visual artist, performer/actor and maker whose work is included in A Picture of Health | Women Photographers from the Hyman Collection, in conversation with Arnolfini's Engagement Producer, Keiko Higashi below.  until end May 2021 VIEW HERE LET'S MAKE ART / THE BIG DRAW Bristol arts duo, Let’s Make Art, guide children in making a standing cardboard portrait of themselves with an interior scene as well as an outward showing persona.  until end May 2021 As part of The Big Draw campaign, UWE drawing and print students designed a range of free creative activities inspired by our current exhibitions, A Picture of Health and Jo Spence: From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy.  until end May 2021 VIEW HERE SUPPORT ARNOLFINI image: Let's Make Art In what is a challenging time for everyone, lockdowns and restrictions on capacity in the Galleries, Bookshop and Cafe Bar have led to a much reduced income for Arnolfini as a charity.  If you're able to make a donation - any amount is much appreciated - please go to www.justgiving.com/arnolfini or via the link below. Your support helps us continue to welcome everyone to our community, to explore culture and connect through contemporary art. Thank you. DONATE NOW ARNOLFINI BOOKSHOP Arnolfini Bookshop remains open online offering some great reads in the shape of art and culture books, periodicals and magazines, as well as an eclectic choice of fiction, delightful children's books, original gifts and greetings cards. We're also happy to try and source titles not listed online and relish the challenge of seeking out more obscure titles. Drop us a line at bookshop@arnolfini.org.uk  And, while you're here, many thanks to all of you who did your festive shopping with us last month and continue to support your local, independent Bookshop. Copyright © 2021 Arnolfini, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list To find out more about how we use and store data, please see our privacy policy

January 21: My Special Day

 

January 21 was my father’s birthday. 

Just so close to mine. 

I always wonder who thinks of him apart from my mum and I. 

He left the earth almost on the same day in 2009. And since, January 21 has become like my own birthday. He hoped I would wait to get born on that day, my mum told me. But of course, I’m stubborn 😂 

And Aquarius season begins on that day. 

It’s supposed to be symbolic of novelty and revolution. 

Anyway, it’s just my special day...

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Song of the moment: 

'Supersymmetry'

Arcade Fire

I know you're living in my mind
But it's not the same as being alive
I know you're living in my mind
But it's not the same as being alive

Supersymmetry
Supersymmetry

If telling the truth is not polite
Then I guess we'll have to fight
If telling the truth is not polite
Then I guess we'll have to fight

Supersymmetry
Supersymmetry
Supersymmetry
Supersymmetry

Lived for a year in a bed by the window
Reading books better than memories
Wanna feel the seasons passing
Wanna feel the spring

Of Supersmmetry
Of Supersymmetry
Supersymmetry
Supersmmetry

It's been a while since I've been to see you
Don't know where but you're not with me
Heard a voice like an echo
But it came from me

Ah la la la la la
Ah la la la la la
Ah la la la la la
Ah la la la la la

Supersymmetry

Uganda Decides

NB. To Bristolians: I'll be on Ujima Radio 98fm on Monday morning (18/01/21) around 8/9am to talk about Uganda and the recent election, with he lovely Pommy Harmar.

Tune in!

https://www.ujimaradio.com/

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Voting in the time of Corona... 

Today, I'm thinking of my ex-colleagues in East African especially the BBC team, on this day of a very symbolic election in Uganda.

I went to report there on the Museveni-Besigye election in January 2011, when based in Nairobi, eye-opening work. Just before I started this blog.

A photo from my old blog:

Source: http://bbcafriquekenya.blogspot.com/2011/02/reportage-elections-en-ouganda-2011.html

From today, here is a report from the BBC Africa team:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-55661762

This year, the main opposition leader is a musician and popular singer known as Bobi Wine, 36 years old. He's trying to beat the current president, Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986.

"Through his music, you could clearly see that he understood the social issues that young people were facing, especially young people from the ghetto," singer and politician Bobi Wine said. 

Yet, the internet has been cut off as voters cast their ballots in a hotly contested election.

Will the vote be free & fair? 

The whole continent is watching…