Bigger Than Africa

Bigger Than Africa is a 2018 Afrocentric documentary film that dives headfirst into the vibrant history, culture, and spirit of Africa, specifically focusing on the transatlantic slave trade and its significant global impact. Directed by professional filmmaker and photojournalist, Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye, the movie explores pivotal moments in African history, while featuring riveting performances by Gary Shaw, Iyanifa Ajisebo Abimbola, and Wande Abimbola.

The film is an innovative tapestry of interviews, reenactments, and scholarly commentaries. It weaves together the shared narratives of diverse people and places across several continents, including Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean. Bigger Than Africa hopes to unlock profound discussions about identity, the diaspora, and the enduring influence of ancient African civilizations on the world stage.

The film is not only informative; it is also an emotive and humanizing exploration of the African diaspora, narratively driven through the first person perspective of those whose lives have been intrically linked to this significant yet often forgotten chapter of world history.

In Bigger Than Africa, Gary Shaw delivers a powerfully raw performance as he attempts to reconcile his experiences as an African diaspora in the Western world, with the cultural fiber of his African roots. Complementing him, Iyanifa Ajisebo Abimbola and Wande Abimbola also deliver insightful performances, offering thoughtful perspectives on the narrative.

The documentary provides a closer look at Yoruba culture, one of Africa's oldest and most influential civilizations. It is a trip down history lane, exploring the traditions, beliefs, societal structures, and accomplishments of the Yoruba people, from their origins in West Africa to their bondage in the West during the transatlantic slave trade, then to their fight for freedom and eventual integration into Western societies.

Bigger Than Africa gives an overview of the dispersion of African people and cultures across the world due to slave trade, presenting a compelling narrative about the enduring influence of these cultures in the modern world. It takes viewers on a journey to different locations, such as Nigeria, Benin, Brazil, the United States, and others, offering extensive ethnographic data and interviews with local members of these communities.

Bigger Than Africa provides a streamlined avenue to learn about the history and ongoing impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the descendants of those who were taken from their homeland involuntarily. This cultural exploration underscores the resilience and power of the African spirit, which has thrived and flourished in various parts of the world despite numerous adversities.

The film integrates enlightening interviews with scholars, community leaders, cultural enthusiasts, and everyday people living their truth that helps paint a comprehensive picture of the African diaspora across time. It brings together disparate components of the African story, blended with beautiful cinematography, enriching music, and an emotionally engaging narrative, urging viewers to rethink their notions regarding African history and its people.

However, the extraordinary journey delved into by Bigger Than Africa does not stop at retracing history and re-validating African culture; it redirects the viewers' gaze to the future by underlining the tasks that lie ahead. It serves as a call to action for the African diaspora to reclaim and reaffirm their rich history and unique identities.

Bigger Than Africa does not solely chronicle the tragedies and triumphs of the past; it is a reflection on the present and looks forward with hope and anticipation to a future where African culture is recognized, celebrated, and integrated more profoundly into mainstream narratives.

In essence, Bigger Than Africa takes you on a mesmerizing journey of recovery, discovery, and understanding. Through compelling stories, moving interviews, and rich visuals, the movie paints a captivating picture of the African spirit's resilience and strength. It prompts us to look, learn, and appreciate Africa's vibrant history, its deep-rooted cultures, and its immense influence on the world—truly affirming that in spirit, resilience, and impact, Africa is, indeed, 'bigger.'