Rob Lemkin’s harrowing yet urgent documentary shines a lens on the trauma and legacy of colonialism in one of Africa’s poorest nations, Niger.

When British-Nigerian poet and activist Femi Nylander discovered Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the novel that Barack Obama claims helped him understand why ‘white people are afraid’, he was immediately drawn to understanding this distorted vision of Africa. Embarking on a spiritual journey to Niger, Femi uncovers the violent legacy of the real-life counterpart to Conrad’s novel, French Captain Paul Voulet, whose genocidal mission in 1898 can still be felt today, through subsequent generations of his victims. A brutal indictment of colonialism that never shies away from the horrifying terrorism Africans endured under colonial rule, African Apocalypse is a visually compelling, visceral experience that seeks to understand how our colonial past shapes our present with a passionate conviction that it doesn’t define our future.

Lynn Nwokorie, BFI London Film Festival

Virtual Screening Tour is presented by The New Black Film Collective (TNBFC). A filmmaker Q&A and a discussion, with an illustrious panel of guest speakers from the world of academia, politics and activism (soon to be announced), will follow the screening.

The writer/director is Rob Lemkin, whose previous film Enemies of The People won the 2010 Sundance Film Festival World Jury Special Prize. The writer and protagonist is Femi Nylander and the producers are Geoff Arbourne and David Upshal. The film is made with the support of the BFI Doc Society Fund and BBC Arena.

About the Speakers

Rob Lemkin - Writer and Director (see above)

Femi Nylander - Writer and Narrator(see above)

Natural Langdon - holds a Bachelor Degree of Arts in Film Production from SUNY Empire State College and A Masters Degree of Professional Studies in Directing from the School of Visual Arts. He is on a mission to reveal the untold stories of urban communities around the world. Having traveled extensively through Africa, Europe, South America, Asia and the Caribbean, he is in search of authentic culture and the contributions of people of African descent.

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Dur: 1hr 27mins, Tickets: FREE, virtual Venue: Star and Shadow Cinema

Running Order

6.00pm Film Starts

7.30pm Intermission

7.45pm Panel starts

9.00pm Event Ends

Participants will receive a link to join the event after registering. Film will be available to watch for 48hrs. Choose as many free screenings as you like to support. Alternatively, you can contribute to the impact campaign now by paying for a rental from BFI Player. By joining us, you are joining the demand for change!