Past Film/Video | Visiting Filmmakers | Documentaries | Series & Festivals

The Inheritance

(Ephraim Asili, 2020)

Featuring a conversation with the filmmaker and Terri Francis

Stream | Midwest Premiere

A man writes "Long live John Africa!" on a chalkboard.

Beautifully shot in vibrant color on 16mm, The Inheritance explores the formation, growth, and tensions of a shared Black space for socialist thought and creativity.

This form-busting, feature-length documentary debut from the adventurous filmmaker Ephraim Asili creatively weaves together the history of the MOVE liberation group, the Black Arts Movement, the political pop vibes of Jean-Luc Godard’s late 1960s films, and what the filmmaker calls a “speculative re-enactment” of his own formative experiences in a Philadelphia Black liberationist collective. The comedic vignettes of communal life are interspersed with archival footage, poetry readings from the likes of Sonia Sanchez and Ursula Rucker, and musical interludes. This richly layered ensemble film is an inspiring work full of politics, humor, art, ancestors, and philosophy. Asili’s short films have been previously exhibited at the Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus Museum of Art, and the Beeler Gallery at CCAD. (100 mins., digital video). Captioning available.

This presentation also includes a conversation between filmmaker Ephraim Asili and Terri Francis, associate professor in Cinema and Media Studies at Indiana University and director of its Black Film Center/Archive.

View the complete Unorthodocs 2020 lineup.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you have questions about accessibility or require an accommodation such as captioning or ASL interpretation to participate in this event, please contact Accessibility Manager Helyn Marshall at accessibility@wexarts.org or via telephone at (614) 688-3890. Requests made by two weeks in advance will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the Wexner Center for the Arts will make every effort to meet requests made after this date.

A man writes "Long live John Africa!" on a chalkboard.

Image courtesy of the filmmaker

A man passionately reads from a book and raises his fist.

Image courtesy of the filmmaker

Surrounded by old newspapers, a woman sits on the floor and holds a stack of books.

Image courtesy of the filmmaker

A woman peels an apple at a kitchen counter.

Image courtesy of the filmmaker

Organized by the Wexner Center for the Arts and curated by Associate Curator of Film/Video Chris Stults.

MADE POSSIBLE BY
Greater Columbus Arts Council
American Electric Power Foundation
L Brands Foundation
The Columbus Foundation
Ohio Arts Council
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Huntington Bank
Nationwide Foundation

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Kaufman Development
Cardinal Health Foundation

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Past Film/Video

The Inheritance