Highly acclaimed at the 2013 Sundance and Sheffield Documentary festivals, The Stuart Hall Project, a new film from award-winning documentarian John Akomfrah (The Nine Muses) is a sensitive, emotionally charged portrait of this cultural theorist.

A founding figure of contemporary cultural studies - and one of the most inspiring voices of the post-war Left - Stuart Hall's resounding and ongoing influence on British intellectual life commenced soon after he emigrated from Jamaica in 1951.

Combining extensive archival imagery - television excerpts, home movies, family photos - with specially filmed material and a personally mixed Miles Davis soundtrack, Akomfrah's filmmaking approach matches the agility of Hall's intellect, its intimate play with memory, identity and scholarly impulse traversing the changing historical landscape of the second half of the 20th century.

In this post-screening talk, writer and curator Karen Alexander speaks about Stuart Hall the man, including the moment she first saw Stuart Hall on television and realised he was black. She speaks frankly about how important his presence in the public eye was for many black people, and their beliefs about who they could become. The talk also explores the inherent racism that prevented Hall from appearing 'too intelligent' on british television, with insightful comments from the audience.

This event was part of the 2013 Black History Month, and presented by Ujima Radio 98FM and TNB Bristol, part of the Arise & Shine Project supported by the National Lottery through BFI and Creative England. In partnership with Afrika Eye.

Related links:
Tim Adams on Stuart Hall for The Observer

Posted on Sat 26 Oct 2013.

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