Sankofa (1993)

A self-absorbed Black American fashion model on a photo shoot in Africa is spiritually transported back to a plantation in the West Indies where she experiences first-hand the physical and ... See full summary »

Director:

Haile Gerima

Writer:

Haile Gerima

Stars:

Kofi Ghanaba, Oyafunmike Ogunlano, Alexandra Duah

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kofi Ghanaba	...	Sankofa
Oyafunmike Ogunlano	...	Mona
Alexandra Duah	...	Nunu
Nick Medley	...	Joe
Mutabaruka	...	Shango
Afemo Omilami	...	Noble Ali
Reggie Carter	...	Father Raphael
Mzuri	...	Lucy
Jimmy Lee Savage	...	Mussa
Hasinatu Camara	...	Jumma
Jim Faircloth	...	James
Stanley Michelson	...	Mr. Lafayette
John A. Mason	...	Big Boy
Louise Reid	...	Esther
Roger Doctor	...	Nathan

Storyline

A self-absorbed Black American fashion model on a photo shoot in Africa is spiritually transported back to a plantation in the West Indies where she experiences first-hand the physical and psychic horrors of chattel slavery, and eventually the redemptive power of community and rebellion as she becomes a member of a freedom-seeking Maroon colony.

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Plot Keywords:

model | plantation | africa | west indies | fashion | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA Ghana Burkina Faso UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1993 (USA)

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$2,691,899 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Diproci, Ghana National Commission on Culture

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When no company would distribute his film, director Haile Gerima went on a roadshow tour from city to city, screening the film personally. It grossed around $3 million.

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Connections

Referenced in 500 Years Later (2005)

User Reviews

totally destroys the myth of the happy and passive slave of early American history

A very compelling story of what slavery was really like. The sometimes graphic but honest images left a very strong impression on me. No happy go lucky Uncle Toms willing to cater to the Master in all things. This film is one of my alternative favorites but is very hard to find. It should be required viewing for American history courses.