Ghosts of Amistad: In the Footsteps of the Rebels

"Ghosts of Amistad: In the Footsteps of the Rebels" is a 56-minute documentary film directed by Tony Buba and based on Marcus Rediker's book, "The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom." The film chronicles a journey by three historians to Sierra Leone in 2013 to visit the home villages of the rebels who captured the slave schooner "Amistad" in 1839. Through interviews with village elders and the search for the long-lost ruins of Lomboko, the film recovers a lost "history from below" and explores the African origins of the Amistad rebels. This documentary provides a fresh perspective on the Amistad incident, focusing on the people who were captured and enslaved, rather than the American legal system.

Description

The film offers a unique perspective on a well-researched historical event by focusing on the African origins of the Amistad rebels. It includes interviews with African village elders, providing unique insights into local communal memories and the tradition of oral history in this part of Africa. The historians also uncover the long-lost ruins of a slave trading "factory," adding a significant historical discovery to the narrative.

Applications

• Educational tool for universities and secondary schools
• Resource for historians and professional organizations
• Material for libraries and community groups
• Content for organizations interested in Black history and the Atlantic Slave Trade

Advantages

"Ghosts of Amistad" offers a fresh and authentic perspective on the Amistad incident, focusing on the African origins and experiences of the rebels. The film provides unique insights through interviews with village elders and the discovery of historical sites. It serves as a valuable educational resource, enhancing understanding of the Atlantic Slave Trade and the struggle against slavery from the perspective of those who lived it.

Invention Readiness

The film is complete and ready for distribution. It has been shared with several people in the history and filmmaking fields for feedback and has been screened for academic groups and small public audiences. The film will have its Pittsburgh premiere at the Three Rivers Film Festival in November 2014. Discussions with educational film distributors are ongoing to promote and market the film across educational and non-theatrical markets.