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500 Years Later

  • 2005
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
204
YOUR RATING
500 Years Later (2005)
Crime, drugs, HIV/AIDS, poor education, inferiority complex, low expectation, poverty, corruption, poor health, and underdevelopment plagues people of African decent globally – Why? 500 years later from the onset of Slavery and subsequent Colonialism, Africans are still struggling for basic freedom–Why?

500 YEARS LATER is a critically acclaimed multi-award winning documentary filmed in five continents, 500 Years Later engages the authentic retrospective voice, told from the African vantage-point of those whom history has sought to silence by examining the legacy of enslavement that uprooted Africans from their culture and homeland. 

500 Years Later is a timeless compelling journey, infused with the spirit and music of liberation that chronicles the struggle of a people who have fought and continue to fight for the most essential human right – freedom.
Play trailer2:34
1 Video
4 Photos
Documentary

Crime, drugs, HIV/AIDS, poor education, inferiority complex, low expectation, poverty, corruption, poor health, and underdevelopment plagues people of African descent globally - Why? 500 yea... Read allCrime, drugs, HIV/AIDS, poor education, inferiority complex, low expectation, poverty, corruption, poor health, and underdevelopment plagues people of African descent globally - Why? 500 years later from the onset of Slavery and subsequent Colonialism, Africans are still struggli... Read allCrime, drugs, HIV/AIDS, poor education, inferiority complex, low expectation, poverty, corruption, poor health, and underdevelopment plagues people of African descent globally - Why? 500 years later from the onset of Slavery and subsequent Colonialism, Africans are still struggling for basic freedom-Why? Filmed in five continents, and over twenty countries, 500 Years ... Read all

  • Director
    • Owen Alik Shahadah
  • Writers
    • M.K. Asante
    • Owen Alik Shahadah
  • Stars
    • Kolfi Adu
    • Sona Jobarteh
    • Hunter Adams III
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    204
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Owen Alik Shahadah
    • Writers
      • M.K. Asante
      • Owen Alik Shahadah
    • Stars
      • Kolfi Adu
      • Sona Jobarteh
      • Hunter Adams III
    • 17User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Videos1

    500 YEARS LATER
    Trailer 2:34
    500 YEARS LATER

    Photos3

    View Poster
    View Poster
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    Top cast61

    Edit
    Kolfi Adu
    • Self - African Storyteller
    Sona Jobarteh
    • Self - Kora Player
    • (as Maya Jobarteh)
    Hunter Adams III
    • Self - Neuroscientist
    Hakim Adi
    • Self - Historian
    • (as Dr. Hakim Adi)
    Toyin Agbetu
    • Self - Ligali Media
    Mukasa Afrika
    • Self - Teacher at Lotus Academy
    Ras Kumasi
    • Self - Afruika Bantu School Teacher
    Adisa Alkebulan
    • Self - Lecturer
    • (as Dr. Adisa Alkebulan)
    Molefi Kete Asante
    • Self - Professor Temple University
    • (as Dr. Molefi Asante)
    Afrar Afriyea
    • Self - Afruika Bantu Saturday School
    M.K. Asante
    M.K. Asante
    • Self - Writer
    • (as M.K. Asante Jr.)
    Sister Aya
    • Self - Afruika Bantu Saturday School
    Amiri Baraka
    Amiri Baraka
    • Self - Poet and Activist
    • (archive sound)
    David Commissiong
    • Self - Pan-African Affairs Barbados
    Kevin Farmer
    • Self - Barbadian Historian
    Mighty Gabby
    • Self - Barbadian Cultural Ambassador
    • (as The Mighty Gabby)
    Nelson George
    Nelson George
    • Self - Playwright
    Asher Hoyles
    • Self - Teacher and Writer
    • Director
      • Owen Alik Shahadah
    • Writers
      • M.K. Asante
      • Owen Alik Shahadah
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    6.8204
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    Featured reviews

    10sales-278

    500 YEARS LATER- A film of the century

    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!!!!!!!!!
    9bajanrash

    It was excellent

    I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was great. It portrayed a passionate topic and had me close to tears. The movie discussed a topic that is not new to many but in a different light. Actually it shows both views, pros and cons, something that is unique and brings both perspectives to the table. I don't view a lot of documentaries but this movie is a must see. I am a fan of "The Last Samuri" and "Braveheart" which rate high on many people's list. I place this movie on that same level. I hope to see a lot more work from Mr. Shahadah; truly a great piece of work. As I said, it was a great movie and definitely a must see!!!
    10popebenedict78

    Every Black person should see this film.

    This DVD should be shown in all African schools as well.

    It is the best educational material I have seen. I am also proud it was 100% funded and made by Africans. I had been looking and looking everywhere for something like this.

    Every Black person should see this film. Please watch it again and again.

    I would have liked to see more of the Islamic and Arab slavery. I wish it could have been promoted a bit more.

    It needs to be more widely available.

    Great DVD.

    Peace and African Unity.
    9nadiakanouche

    Great documentary... well worth seeing

    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..!
    9dagwood65

    No whimpering, but the roar of the lion

    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.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      California Newsreel who applauded the approach said "While we applaud your effort to present African and African American history in a new and more favorable light, we think that your innovative techniques and broad scope are too radical for our largely academic market." The film is now a standard in most American universities.
    • Quotes

      Maulana Karenga: The other thing they try to do is make us responsible for our own enslavement. And here they collapse three kinds of people: perpetrators, collaborators and victims. You can't do that!"

      Maulana Karenga: Not just burning some small, thatched roof houses but destroying towns, cities, villages, great works of art, great literature's and the people that made that art and literature! Songs we would never hear! Histories we would never know! Art we would never see! Because the European had the capacity to destroy and didn't have the moral restraint not to

    • Connections
      Followed by The Black Candle (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Tear for the World
      Performed by Ocacia

      Written by Owen Alik Shahadah (as Owen Shahadah) & Nadia Kanouche

      Courtesy of Souljazzfunk.com

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    FAQ1

    • how long did it take to make this film

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 24, 2005 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 500 lat później
    • Filming locations
      • Accra, Ghana
    • Production company
      • Halaqah Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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