Black History Month Film Festival

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The Faculty of Arts at UNB Saint John will be hosting a film series in partnership with PRUDE Inc. in support of Black History Month. Three movies will be shown during the month of February, starting at 4PM in Ganong Hall.

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Pressure (1976), directed by Horace Ove was shown on Saturday, February 4. It follows the story of a black, British teenager and the rest of his family who were born in Trinidad in the Caribbean. The perspectives of each character differ due to their lived experiences. 

A synopsis of the film states that: “The film shows how the older generations are satisfied with living in a society ruled by the white English, which differs from the views of the younger generation. There is a disconnection between the way Tony feels about Britain and the way that his family feels, specifically his brother. Tony’s brother is active in the Black Power movement and is constantly discussing how Black people are treated as second-class citizens and have to deal with systematic racism. He stresses the idea of a collective effort on behalf of Black people, as they encompass their culture and consciousness, and they must spread this consciousness.” 

I Am Not Your Negro (2016) is a documentary and social critique film directed by Raoul Peck and it will be shown on Saturday, February 11. The film follows James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript of Remember This House. Actor Samuel L. Jackson narrates the film as it explores the history of racism in the United States. The recollections of civil rights leaders and his own observations are included. Experiences of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. are featured. It has earned a multitude of awards such as the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary. 

For planning purposes, the duration of the film is 1 hour and 35 minutes. 

Where is Home? (2023), a play co-directed by Saa Andrew Gbongbor and Luca Gutierrez-Robert. The play was originally performed at St. Thomas University in Fredericton at the Black Box theatre. The play follows Princess Ozanna, the only child of King Fofana. Princess Ozanna desperately wants to explore the world even though no one has left the land before. Her desires to explore are turned down but she continues to insist. Eventually, after many council meetings, Princess Ozanna is granted permission. 

One of the play’s co-directors, Gbongbor is originally from Sierra Leone and felt inspired by his own experiences which shines through in this play. When describing the play, Gbongbor told the CBC that “the story if of life before globalization in Africa.” 

The title’s question was also discussed in his interview with the CBC: “So where is home for me? Is it where I am now, where I’m growing up [with] the people … that surround me, that give me love, that encourage me, that see my struggles, my strengths, my success, and everything? Or is it where I come from?”

For planning purposes, the duration of the filmed play is 1 hour and 30 minutes. 

The film events are open to the public and are assured to have free parking and admission. Additionally, refreshments will be provided at each viewing.

It is sure to be an educational and fun experience that supports the efforts of learning black history and supporting black storytelling. 



Ashley is a fifth-year student in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education concurrent program. Now in her final year, she hopes to further studies with the goal of promoting international advocacy for educational rights. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to her vinyl records, watching films, and hiking.