Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd + Q&A

Watch trailer HERE

Five years since the murder of George Floyd – the police killing that set America on fire with rage and sparked a wave of protests around the world, director Kwabena Oppong's film explores one of the most important and defining events in modern history.

Featuring ground-breaking interviews with members of George Floyd’s family, the Minneapolis Police Chief who took the bold step of testifying against one of his own officers, Boris Johnson’s advisor on race Samuel Kasumu, and Sal Naseem the former Regional Director for London at the IOPC, as well as cultural figures Che Lingo, Nathalie Emmanuel, broadcasters Andi and Miquita Oliver and Munya Chawawa.

This feature documentary tells the story of George Floyd’s murder, the massive global reaction to it and the backlash that followed. At a time when diversity initiatives in the USA are being scrapped by President Trump’s decree, and Elon Musk is retweeting Ben Shapiro's call for the police officer who murdered George Floyd to be pardoned, this film explores how his death became one of the most significant moments of our time.

It also questions whether enough has been achieved since then and what needs to happen next. Capturing a UK-wide perspective, we will see how Floyd’s murder was a moment of reckoning, not only in the US but also in the UK which sparked the BLM movement.

We will also reference Christopher Alder, Sean Rigg, Mark Duggan, Roger Sylvester, Shijie Lapite, Brian Douglas, Sheku Bayoh and the many other victims of police killings in Britain that have not got the same level of recognition as George Floyd. Click HERE For more information

This is an African Odysseys screening. Previously at the BFI Southbank for 17 years, African Odysseys is now hosting films across London due to systemic racism at the BFI which cancelled the popular,monthly programme there. There will be an update at the screening.Full details HERE

Other coming films

• 60 years of Struggle Black British Civil Rights, film and interview with Professor Gus John
• London Recruits, undercover anti-apartheid activists from Islington
• Soundtrack to a Coup D'etat Saturday May 17th 2pm tickets HERE
• Bad Patriots, Jeremy Corbyn and Ken Loach Thursday 28th May tickets HERE
• Reclaiming Cocoa: the chocolate business Saturday 21st June tickets HERE
• Black History Helicopter flight, canal cruise, bus tour,walks coming soon

Save 17 years of Black film history at the BFI, sign petition and add your voice to the 16,600 demanding race equality at the British Film Institute HERE