The National Film Board (NFB) of Canada kicks off Black History Month (February) with films and online activities that pay tribute to the important contributions of Black Canadians. These activities will also include discussions between filmmakers, a new selection and a new educational guide (information to follow on #MoisHistoireDesNoirs; #MHN2022; #FévrierEnToutTemps)

The activities offered begin on February 1 with the premiere presentation, on https://www.onf.ca, of the award-winning documentary feature film (1h35) "Apatrides" by Quebecer of Haitian origin Michèle Stephenson, Co-produced by Hispaniola Productions and by the NFB.

Summary:

In 1937, tens of thousands of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent were exterminated by the Dominican army because of hatred against blacks fomented by the Dominican government. Decades later, in 2013, the Dominican Republic's Supreme Court revoked citizenship from anyone with Haitian parents, retroactive to 1929. As a result, more than 200,000 people were left without nationality, identity, or homeland. Through the citizen campaign of an electoral candidate, Rosa Iris, the renowned Quebec director of Haitian origin Michèle Stephenson reveals the depth of racial hatred and institutionalized oppression that divide Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The NFB on the occasion of Black History Month will present a selection of 26 films by black filmmakers, composed of both recent titles and classics, which will include exceptional documentary and animated works.

From groundbreaking creations by black Canadian filmmakers like Sylvia Hamilton and Claire Prieto's Black Mother Black Daughter (1989), to the award-winning Black Soul (2000), Martine Chartrand's animated journey through black history and culture, by the exploration of the unknown history of black people in Canada undertaken by Sudz Sutherland and Jennifer Holness in "In the name of the dead" (2000) or by Charles Officer's critically acclaimed "Notes of Hope" (2016), this selection offers a remarkable panorama of stories from Black communities in Canada and the diversity of their experiences.

HL/ HaitiLibre