Abolition

In 1988, the centenary of Abolition of Slavery in Brazil, Zózimo Bulbul made this powerful historical analysis of racial issues in his country. This documentary provides an in-depth look through extensive archival researching and interviews of key figures who were involved in preserving black culture. Bulbul also re-enacts the past, like the symbolic signing of the Abolition Act by Princess Isabel to claim the formal ending of slavery and above all to save a political reputation. The film is in consonance with the black movement's demands to put an end to the hegemony of white symbols and replace them with black ones. In doing so Bulbul succeeds in making a singular cinematic reflection, depicting black history from a black perspective. Aside from historical testimony, this epic documentary also points to the current relevance of facing the racism that still confronts the black population in Brazil. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)