Haile Gerima, the renowned filmmaker, has unveiled his latest 10-hour documentary feature, 'Black Lions – Roman Wolves', which explores Italy's brutal colonial legacy in Ethiopia. This ambitious project, a five-part documentary, blends archival footage with contemporary interviews, offering a unique perspective on a lesser-known historical narrative. Gerima's journey to bring this film to the public has been a long and challenging one, marked by a decade-long battle to access Italy's colonial film archive and a commitment to independent production. Gerima's work is a testament to his dedication to uncovering and sharing forgotten histories, particularly those that affect his own community and the broader African diaspora.
In an interview with Deadline, Gerima discusses the film's impact and his unique approach to filmmaking. He reflects on the challenges of gaining access to the Luce archive, Italy's national film archive, where Mussolini himself played a role in its construction. Gerima's persistence and the support of a brother from Ghana, a politician in Rome, finally allowed him to access the footage of his ancestors, a crucial step in the film's production. Gerima's independent production process, where every dollar earned from film sales goes back into filmmaking, is a personal tradition that ensures his work remains true to his vision.
The film's music, a looped theme track, is a collaborative effort, donated by a musician who wanted to contribute to the project. Gerima's next film, a documentary on the Black Seminoles of North America, is a concurrent project that delves into the struggle against slavery and the history of armed Africans fighting alongside Native Americans. This new film will further explore the complexities of African history in the United States.
Gerima's perspective on the L.A. Rebellion era is also intriguing. He challenges the commonly accepted label, arguing that it was a diverse group of third-world filmmakers who were not entitled by history to make movies. His literary influences, including Frantz Fanon and George Jackson, shaped his understanding of the Black community's rebellion against the status quo. Gerima's work continues to be a powerful contribution to the global film industry, shedding light on important historical narratives and challenging conventional perspectives.
