A rare and absolutely unknown work, made by Bill Stephens in collaboration with French filmmaker Chris Marker and Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver. CONGO OYÉ was never completed and long believed lost until it was unearthed several years ago on video cassette from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The film follows an exploratory visit to Africa’s first People’s Republic declared by President Marien Ngouabi.
Filmed in Paris in November 1964, just months before his assassination, MALCOLM X: STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, portrays the civil rights leader at a time when his views were expanding to include what was going on in the world at large. In his commentary, he advocates for solidarity with Africa, underscored by images of Patrice Lumumba and Congolese independence.
+ Panel discussion with Lebert Sandy Bethune (filmmaker) and Herb Boyd (scholar, author, educator, activist), moderated by Milton Allimadi (Black Star News)