Made on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington (itself held on the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation) - this one hour film is a tremendously intelligent detailed and moving exploration of what led up to that march - the planning, the controversies, the personalities, the compromises, the politics, the passion - that culminated in Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech -- one of the rare pieces of oratory that helped change the very course of history.
But while most of us know King's speech, and it's powerful effect on America, few, myself included know the history of how the march came together, and the many other heroes besides King - from famous leaders to simple office staffers - who gave so much to help make it happen.
Director Akomfrah (a long under known and undervalued film-maker) does a terrific job combining archival footage (much of which was new to me), very nicely shot modern reminiscences of those who were there and part of making that day happen, and beautiful images that aren't so much 're-creations' as poetic capturings of the spirit of those people and that moment (a tremendously striking shot of a seagull soaring free amidst the towers of a modern city sticks in my mind).
A wonderful educational piece for younger people who might not know about "The March" and it's impact, but with a great deal to offer even those of us old enough to grow up with memories from that time. I didn't realize how much I didn't know, and that's one of the best things you can say about any historical documentary.