This Black History Month, join us for two rare screenings of works by director Menelik Shabazz (1954-2021), a pioneer in Black British filmmaking. Explore the interplay of love, identity and social justice in a special viewing of Time and Judgement, his radical ‘sci-fi documentary’ weaving together history, spoken word narration, religious symbolism and Rastafarian philosophy. Don’t miss Young, Rebel and Black: a back-to-back screening of three shorts (Breaking Point, Step Forward Youth and Blood Ah Go Run) that capture a pivotal period when Black British communities moved from suffering in silence to organised resistance, marking the emergence of a distinct Black British identity forged through shared struggle.

Time and Judgement

Commissioned for Channel 4 in its early days of broadcasting, this radical documentary employs diverse artistic mediums—theatrical performance, verse, music, and visual art—to chronicle both the struggles and triumphs of African diaspora communities globally. Infused with religious symbolism and Rastafarian philosophy, the film combines substantial archival material with sharp political commentary, examining influential figures like Grenadian leader Maurice Bishop, Guyanese scholar Walter Rodney, civil rights advocate Jesse Jackson, and activist Kwame Ture (formerly known as Stokely Carmichael), among other prominent voices.

 ‘The Keeper of Time’ is summoned to send out the final call to man. Will man listen? ‘The 400 Year Exile’ hears the call and scans the African diaspora from Atlanta to Addis Ababa, from Kingston to Brixton. ‘Queen Judgement’ weighs the scales where all men are judged – the hearts of men are balanced against their greed (money). There is an imbalance because man has taken the path of greed rather than love. Something has to be done.