Why do drugs, crime, HIV, poor education, inferiority complexes, low expectations, poverty, corruption, poor health, and underdevelopment plague people of African descent around the world? Why, 500 years after the onset of Slavery and subsequent Colonialism, do Africans still struggle for basic freedom? Filmed in more than twenty countries across five continents, 500 YEARS LATER examines the atrocities that uprooted Africans from their cultures and homeland. Infused with the spirit and music of liberation, it chronicles the struggle of a people who fight for the most essential human right: freedom.
Reviews
Only one of its kind. 500 YEARS LATER depicts the reality of not only the African Diaspora, but also anyone in search for his or her own ancestral seed, all of this is manifested in the authentic voices of speakers who have physically changed conditions of societies through speech. I learn something new every time I watch it. It's a "must have" for the seeker of truth. 500 YEARS LATER brings to light a forgotten history and a past very few people knew existed. The film compiles for us strands of empowering tools that have been buried for 500 YEARS, only now have those seeds been uprooted. We not only need to experience this film but we need to stand as active components in continuously seeking the most present truth to date. We need to plant the seed of our own achievements so that our children need not look to others for aspiration but within the family, us, we, the self, me. Family is our first society, town, country, continent, world.
500 years later is a film of hope. Yes I see in the beginning the same old pictures presented in a different way. They were presented to show where we came from, the interviews were in-depth and varied in both personalities and locations and I like that it spanned, the world impacted by slavery. Everyone's view helped to give the film body and not frivolous rhetoric. There was a lady from one of the African countries with her little daughter and what struck me foremost was the complexion, as we are often painted a picture of one type of African only. So that further expanded my mind and continued the process of removing the stereotypes of africaness that I have been presented with. But what touched me most was that at the end suggestions for change were made. You left the film feeling empowered and encouraged to do something that 500 years from now the story would be vastly different. It was also refreshing to Well done, a refreshing look at slavery and its impact. No whimpering, but boldness of the roar into the future.
Well what can I say, this film has brought a worldwide perspective on issues effecting many people living in a multicultural society today. The music and imagery were great, you can tell that a lot of time and effort has been put into making this film work.I went into the cinema expecting to see a movie that was about the slave trade and what had happened 500 years ago, what I didn't expect was to be educated... I thought I knew all I needed to know about what had happened all those years ago but this film re-taught with boldness how it not only effected history but how it still effects this generation, whether Black or White this is a must see. The film was interesting, thought provoking and intelligent. It also gave a message of hope and a way of reaching that light at the end of the tunnel and a way of tackling the problems that so many face from past generational hurts. I hope this can be shown in school and universities all around the country. Well recommended..!
500 YEARS LATER is one of those every 20 years films. Like the one history will remember. I can see a time when this film is the focal point of social-historical lectures in universities. I can see this film breaking the boundaries of film-making where film making becomes viewed as a historical vessel of the 21st century in the way ancient Egyptians left pyramids. There is often a discount entertainment value that is given to film but this film is clearly in the scholarly domain. It preserving the journey of Afrikan people in its narrative and style it is informing on the most compelling stats of our time. It is educational and poses the problems but also the solutions-realistic solutions. But the best part about this film for me personally is the way in which it doesn't portray or play in to the stereotype of the "Black victim" the sorry everything is against us victim. No, it is honest and puts responsibility back into the hands of our people. A must see for every Black person and essential viewing for anyone who claims to be sincere about the forward motion of humanity peacefully. Because it will give anyone who sees it a direct uncoloured look into the Global Black experience 500 YEARS LATER. excellent work!!!!!!!!!
