BIO: Diasapora
The African-American Experience Through Vignettes
Director and Producer Emmanuel Alfolabi is a Nigerian filmmaker now living in New York. His project, BIO: Diaspora, channels African-American consciousness through the lens of domestic racism. Historically, living in Black America implies living under a shadow of our racist history. In BIO: Diaspora, seven people describe what being black in American means to them.
As the director, Alfolabi creates a docu-style series of vignettes where critical voices speak out on the perils of racism. With an emphasis on diaspora and the sense of feeling displaced, the entire film bases its content on compelling speeches. Racism negatively shadows lives that are powerful, intelligent and beautiful. It is a collection of visual storytelling that also underscore dignity.
Cinematographer Baldwin Angeles frames these intimate stories, locking on each to capture emotion and voice. Some of them, like Aysha Sow, explain that blackness is a choice and taking away the option of identity robs people of their life.
Della Orrey‘s beautiful score and Dotun Abeshinbioke‘s unique graphics help create stories that capture the viewer’s psyche. More so, each voice unveils the duality of life as an African-American in the US.
Johnathan Abu‘s story is the best, emphasizing the split personality he feels as an African now living in the US. The definition of race, for him, hinges on the acceptance he experienced at home and the scorn he feels now. PROVOKR loves BIO: Diaspora and thinks you will too. Please watch it on Vimeo and enjoy it!
https://player.vimeo.com/video/393255623?color=d4ba50&portrait=0″ width=”640″ height=”360″ frameborder=”0″ allow=”autoplay; fullscreen” allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/393255623″>BIO: Diaspora</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/emmanuelafolabi”>Emmanuel Afolabi</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
