User reviews

This is as powerful and engrossing a film as I have seen in a long time. Its brutal, unvarnished truth is etched into my psyche. It articulates, more clearly than I ever have, nearly every belief I hold about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, its unyielding legacy, and its continuing negative effect on black society. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving. I have only a couple of quibbles that prevent my ten-star rating.

First, I am offended by the inclusion of commentary from that hypocritical, self-hating windbag, Bill Cosby. Mr. Cosby continuously berates members of his own race for failing in ways that he has also failed, without attributing any blame to the curriculum of self-loathing in which black people have been indoctrinated for centuries.

Second, to routinely connect violence, drug addiction, and self-destructive behavior to the hip-hop community is just wrong-headed. Why are negative things in white culture (e.g., violence, drug use, severe tattooing and body piercing, obsession with goth and vampire cultures) overlooked—and often embraced—while hip-hop culture is held accountable for nearly all of the ills of black urban life?

This film mostly avoids the "victim" message, and reiterates the need for blacks to remember their history, good and bad. Jews perpetually educate their young about their history, and encourage them to never forget their own holocaust. Blacks also survived a holocaust, and we should never forget.

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!!!!!!!!!

This film was an excellent work of art. I does not only provide factual information but allows the expression of the individual's opinion .

This is a film is a motivational for those who continue to struggle with some of the unfortunate events of life. It provides hope for our future generations.

500 Years Later captures the history, nobility, and victorious consciousness of African peoples all over the world. It is stunning in its breadth, magnificent in its depth, and brilliant in execution. This is sure to become a classic film

I look forward to the continutaion of this film

Joanne

Everyone should experience 500 Years Later. This film is not only educational, but eye-opening and hopeful. 500 Years later is an informative journey through Pan-African history ending with a fresh outlook to combat an ongoing struggle.

The film begins by celebrating the richly diverse, thriving continent of Africa and demystifies the perception of pre-colonial life. Simultaneously revealing and condemning the horrific nature of enslavement, 500 years later wastes no time in confronting the relevant social issues confronting the African Diaspora. Intertwining both formally educated scholars and public opinions, people fresh with youth, and the wisdom of the elders, there are a variety of opinions and suggestions on how to uplift our global community. 500 years later places the emphasis on a worldwide responsibility and provides an honest portrayal of a historical viewpoint underrepresented, until now.

Unlike other documentaries, 500 Years Later kept my attention with not only the content, but also the beautiful cinematography shot around the world and the relevant artwork from both contemporary and historical sources. The soundtrack also evokes emotion and enhances the impact of the film as a whole.

The rich content on every level is almost overwhelming and for that reason, I suggest you see it more than once, or you may miss something. Watching this emotional journey should be a requirement for everyone in the world. I recommend that you see this film!

500 Years Later is more than a film but rather a transcontinental discussion between some the greatest and most articulate thinkers of the African global nation. The film deals with the position of the African Diaspora 500 years after the forced migration of Africans from the continent. The sensitive direction of Director Owen 'Alik Shahadah and perceptively of Writer M.K. Asante Jr., get to the crux of the problems that continue to affect the melanin race of people despite their background or national affiliation.

Interspersed between the learned words of cultural activist Dr. Maulana Karenga (Founder of Kwanzaa), Writer Dr. Francis Cress Welsing (Isis papers), Dr. Molefi K Asante (Father of "Afrocentrity"), Andrew Muhammad (Author "Hidden history), among others, are conversations with laypeople who reflect the conflicts of racial inequalities in their own lives. The film is tied together by an array of images from the coast of West Africa, to the city pulse of London, to the shores of Barbados and the environs of America with haunting melodies by composer Tunde Jegede that pluck at heartstrings and sing the audience into a realization of their past and present self.

"500 Years Later" is not a film to be watched twice, three, or even five times, instead it is a timely audiovisual reference book that illuminates the challenges of continental Africans and that of the Diaspora. The poignant symbology that separates the chapters and the clear messages from the cast reveals new information with every frame making it a film as relevant as a dictionary on global Pan-African thought. "500 Years Later" is a work of courage that should be instituted in schools, churches and community centers urging leaders and children to play a more active role in the growth of a stable foundation for future generations to stand.

The film goes past explaining the problems of people by incorporating within it a glimpse of hope into the future. It is an apt dialogue between laymen, scholars and philosophers about the similarities of experience born from a segregated and demoralized kind of man. '500 Years Later' serves not only as a healthy reminder of the strength of the global African but also a caution against the defeatist nature that has sunk beneath the barrier of skin. A quandary that can only be erased with time, patience and education, ensuring a stronger kind and race of Human that will transcend the definition of color and nationality and ultimately embrace the beauty of differences and learn from the undiluted knowledge of ancestors.

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 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.

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.

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!!!

Excellent film! A real eye-opener with amazing cinematography. The audience is taken on a journey around the world and presented with an array of beautiful images from Africa, to the Caribbean and many other places. 500 Years Later deals with many social issues affecting the African community in the diaspora & on the continent. It is very educational and should therefore be made available for all young people to watch as it deals with the global black experience like no other film. You can't help but be affected by this film. Not only does it lay out the problems affecting the global black community but it also lays out some hopes for the future.

Rarely does a film fit an academic social seat as well as an informative entertaining one. 500 Years Later apart from being unique a first in the history of African story. It sounds strange but this film is actually the first film to chart a holistic journey of the African Diaspora from 500 Years ago in the most Pan-African way. It is inclusive of all religions; there is even a Jewish African Rabbi from Ghana, Muslims, Christians, indigenous religions. It visually celebrates the Amharic script and the Adnikra Symbols from Ghana. And everything about the film is African. The first language you hear at the beginning of the film is Akan, an African language. The first music you hear is the Kora, which comes from the legacy of Ancient Mali.

It has an narrated style, allowing the interviewee uninterrupted purity. The list is so long but also what impresses me, and which will probably be the statement it makes to others the economic self-determination. The film was 100% an African enterprise without compromise. They didn't use borrowed money, money from gambling, money from "impure" sources. This is a spiritual statement. And all of this was done in line with something called the African Code which identifies 7 principles for development which the film stuck to. So to understand this is as someone else said, much more than a film. A cultural treasure in the annals of human history.

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 is the best documentary I have ever seen. It is informative, educational, entertaining and colourful. It is suitable for all audiences.

The exceptional way the documentary is put together leaves one in awe of the producer and his assistants.

There is inclusion of academics, ordinary people, school children and people of different races. This diversity is refreshing and stimulating. Apart from that the various scenes and places of interest bring an insight into the way others live.

500 years is exceptional and educational, I would recommend that people of all races and cultures go to see this documentary, and that it is introduced in schools around the world

Before i could see 500years later,my friends were always telling me about this documentary.And when i eventually got it,i could not stop watching it.i watched it over and over again.it was too rich with knowledge and needed more time to watch it and learn.i have never spent so much time watching a documentary like i did with 500years later.I wonder what the director was thinking before he came up with the idea.He is a legend.500years later have thought me a lot of things that i did not know before as a young African man.I can not wait to see it's continuation.thumb up for the directors and whoever that was responsible for the making of 500years later.It was exclusive.good work

Politics of Film

This is like Sankofa a Diaspora telling of The Great Black Experience, independent conscious but unlike Sankofa which came out of US in the new world, this came out of London.

Interesting is that while Sankofa was a true independent success being seen in many independent cinema's and brought to colleges from grassroots black support, this film is hard, I mean real hard to see in Britain. Most folks I speak to you Brixton, London haven't heard of it let alone seen it and the independent cinema the Ritzy has blanked it.

Showing 500 Years Later back to back to with Sankofa would be an interesting starting point for the Politics of Film. Both progressive and conscious narratives from the Hunted not the Hunters view and both with distribution problems from the get go.

Note: There is an interesting interview with the makers from the Socialist Worker paper, this is a pretty far left marginal group, who like most radical socialist/Marxist organizations tend to seek out and support all things black and working class. Check it: http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php4?article_id=7188

• email me please if you know of any similar films but not in English, especially if Arabic (maybe Egyptian).

It is the kind of film that you watch over and over again. It is so informative that it takes several viewings to understand and take in the content.

It is informative, entertaining, colorful and exciting.

The score is so exciting, it makes you feel like you are in the picture.

The content is educational, but at the same time entertaining. It is all about the truth, nd helping those affected by slavery to face that truth and improve on their lives.

It gives hope to the people and knowledge to all.

I highly recommend it to everyone.

Patricia Carrington