Handbill: Testament
Object
Handbill
Production date
1988
Object number
2016.82
Physical Description
A two-sided card handbill for screenings of the film 'Testament' by the Black Audio Film Collective. The colour image on the front shows four children and a woman. The reverse shoes a black and white image of an empty room.
Object history
The Black Audio Film Collective was formed in Hackney, London in 1982 by John Akomfrah, Reece Auguiste, Edward George, Lina Gopaul, Avril Johnson, David Lawson and Trevor Mathison. The emergence of the group coincided with the racial repositioning of the black presence in British public life in the early 80s.
Testament is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after the 1966 coup. It explores the themes of diaspora, memory and political struggle.
Testament is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after the 1966 coup. It explores the themes of diaspora, memory and political struggle.
Associated Organisation
Black Audio Film Collective (Produced for)
Material
Card
Dimension
Height: 151mm
Exhibition Label
The Black Audio Film Collective (BAFC (1982 – 1998)) formed in Hackney where many of its members were from, with roots in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Trinidad, Jamaica and Dominica. Despite Hackney being multi-ethnic, this was not reflected in local cultural activities. Many organisations active in the area were seen by some as White British people ‘doing things on behalf’ of other communities. The BAFC wanted to change this.
The collective produced some of the most challenging and experimental documentaries in Britain in the 1980s exploring themes like diaspora, memory and political struggle. The BAFC have had a lasting influence. Testament (1988), is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after a coup there in 1966.
'People Power: Black British Arts & Activism in Hackney 1960s - 2000s'
4 October 2016 - 21 January 2017
early 1980s.
The BAFC produced some of the most challenging and experimental documentaries in Britain in the 1980s, exploring themes like diaspora, memory and political struggle. They also delivered workshops locally using their films. Testament (1988) is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after a coup there in 1966.
Being African in Hackney: 1960s-2020s
14 September 2021 to 14 February 2022
The collective produced some of the most challenging and experimental documentaries in Britain in the 1980s exploring themes like diaspora, memory and political struggle. The BAFC have had a lasting influence. Testament (1988), is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after a coup there in 1966.
'People Power: Black British Arts & Activism in Hackney 1960s - 2000s'
4 October 2016 - 21 January 2017
The Black Audio Film Collective (BAFC (1982 – 1998)) formed in Hackney where many of its members were from, with roots in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Trinidad, Jamaica and Dominica. Despite Hackney being multi-ethnic, this was not reflected in local cultural activities. Many organisations active in the area were seen by some as White British people ‘doing things on behalf’ of other communities. The BAFC wanted to change this.
The collective produced some of the most challenging and experimental documentaries in Britain in the 1980s exploring themes like diaspora, memory and political struggle. The BAFC have had a lasting influence. Testament (1988), is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after a coup there in 1966.
'People Power: Black British Arts & Activism in Hackney 1960s - 2000s'
4 October 2016 - 21 January 2017
Pioneering Ghanainan born artist John Akomfrah co-founded the Black Audio Film Collective (BAFC (1982-1998)) with Hackney residents Reece Auguiste, Edward George, Lina Gopaul, Avril Johnson, David Lawson and Trevor Mathison. The emergence of the group coincided with the racial repositioning of the African and Caribbean presence in British public life in theThe collective produced some of the most challenging and experimental documentaries in Britain in the 1980s exploring themes like diaspora, memory and political struggle. The BAFC have had a lasting influence. Testament (1988), is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after a coup there in 1966.
'People Power: Black British Arts & Activism in Hackney 1960s - 2000s'
4 October 2016 - 21 January 2017
early 1980s.
The BAFC produced some of the most challenging and experimental documentaries in Britain in the 1980s, exploring themes like diaspora, memory and political struggle. They also delivered workshops locally using their films. Testament (1988) is a film about an exiled Ghanaian politician who returns to Ghana two decades after a coup there in 1966.
Being African in Hackney: 1960s-2020s
14 September 2021 to 14 February 2022
On display?
No
Inscription
[Front:]
A Black Audio Film Collective Production
Testament
‘The War Zone of Memories’
Abena is a television presenter. In 1966 she left Ghana for England after a military coup. She vowed never to return. In 1987 Abena left England for Ghana with a small television crew. Only the power of myth could bring her back.
Black Audio Film Collective are a London based film workshop. Formed in 1983, BAFC’s key priority has been the development of black independent film culture in Britain. BAFC’s past productions include ‘Expeditions’ and the award winning documentary ‘Handsworth Songs’.
[Reverse: A list of screenings at Auditorium JL Bory, Salle Miramar, MJC Studio & Avenue Doctor Pecaud]
A Black Audio Film Collective Production
Testament
‘The War Zone of Memories’
Abena is a television presenter. In 1966 she left Ghana for England after a military coup. She vowed never to return. In 1987 Abena left England for Ghana with a small television crew. Only the power of myth could bring her back.
Black Audio Film Collective are a London based film workshop. Formed in 1983, BAFC’s key priority has been the development of black independent film culture in Britain. BAFC’s past productions include ‘Expeditions’ and the award winning documentary ‘Handsworth Songs’.
[Reverse: A list of screenings at Auditorium JL Bory, Salle Miramar, MJC Studio & Avenue Doctor Pecaud]