Menelik Shabazz

Directing

Menelik Shabazz

Born — Died

1954-05-30 — 2021-06-28

Place of birth

Saint John, Barbados

Known for

Directing

Credits

18 titles

Menelik Shabazz was a Barbados-born British film director, producer, educator, and writer, acknowledged as a pioneer in the development of independent Black British cinema, having been at the forefront of contemporary British filmmaking for more than 30 years.

Known for

Blood Ah Go Run poster
NR

Short 'newsfilm' looking back at the events of 1981, beginning with the killing of 13 young blacks in New Cross, London. The film goes on to show the anger this aroused among black people, and their march in demonstration - `The Black People's Day of Action'. Also covers the Brixton riots.

Blood Ah Go Run

1982

Burning an Illusion poster
6.0

A young black woman in England becomes increasingly frustrated with her life with her lazy, demanding boyfriend, and with the help of friends seeks something better.

Burning an Illusion

1981

The Story of Lovers Rock poster
6.0

In the 70s and 80s Britain was rife with racial tension and police harassment particularly against black British youths. These youths were the rebel generation who were also searching for an identity. They created a music - a sub genre of reggae known as Lovers Rock. This music became a global brand through artists like UB40 and Maxi Priest. The music brought a level of intimacy between young people that was unique. It was also 'girl power' music that empowered a generation of young women. Through comedy, live performance, dance, interviews and archive the film takes you back to an untold era of British cultural, music and political history.

The Story of Lovers Rock

2011

Britain on Film: Black Britain poster
NR

Featuring footage spanning from 1901 to 1985, this little-seen footage has been found from all across the UK. This programme allows an exploration into stories of migration, community and also the struggle against inequality, while also providing the opportunity to celebrate black British culture and life on screen. Films in the programme include: Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901), Hull Fair (1902), For the Wounded (1915), From Trinidad to Serve the Empire (1916), Hello! West Indies (1943), Mining Review 2nd Year No. 11 (1949), To the Four Corners (1957), Black Special Constable (1964), Black Police Officers (1966), Cold Railway Workers (1964), Nigerian Wedding in Cornwall (1964), Coloured School Leavers (1965), London Line No. 373 (1971), African Student Families (1975), Liverpool 8 (1972), Blood Ah Go Run (1982), The Jah People (1981) and Grove Carnival (1981)

Britain on Film: Black Britain

2017

Time and Judgement: A Diary of a 400 Year Exile poster
8.0

Time and Judgement is a sci-fi/documentary that combines biblical prophecy with events across the African diaspora between 1980 and 1987. Archive footage includes Haile Selassie, Bob Marley, Kwame Nkrumah, Maurice Bishop, Walter Rodney, Kwame Toure, Bernie Grant.

Time and Judgement: A Diary of a 400 Year Exile

1988

Breaking Point – The Sus Law Controversy poster
NR

The use of an old Victorian law of ‘being a suspicious person’ commonly known as ‘sus’ was used against young black peoplein the mid 70’s in the UK. Interviews include Rudy Narrayan, Stuart Hall and Paul Boeteng. Breaking Point is the first documentary directed by a black director for mainstream British Television.

Breaking Point – The Sus Law Controversy

1978

Behind the camera

Blood Ah Go Run poster
NR

Short 'newsfilm' looking back at the events of 1981, beginning with the killing of 13 young blacks in New Cross, London. The film goes on to show the anger this aroused among black people, and their march in demonstration - `The Black People's Day of Action'. Also covers the Brixton riots.

Blood Ah Go Run

1982

Blood Ah Go Run poster
NR

Short 'newsfilm' looking back at the events of 1981, beginning with the killing of 13 young blacks in New Cross, London. The film goes on to show the anger this aroused among black people, and their march in demonstration - `The Black People's Day of Action'. Also covers the Brixton riots.

Blood Ah Go Run

1982

Burning an Illusion poster
6.0

A young black woman in England becomes increasingly frustrated with her life with her lazy, demanding boyfriend, and with the help of friends seeks something better.

Burning an Illusion

1981

Burning an Illusion poster
6.0

A young black woman in England becomes increasingly frustrated with her life with her lazy, demanding boyfriend, and with the help of friends seeks something better.

Burning an Illusion

1981

The Story of Lovers Rock poster
6.0

In the 70s and 80s Britain was rife with racial tension and police harassment particularly against black British youths. These youths were the rebel generation who were also searching for an identity. They created a music - a sub genre of reggae known as Lovers Rock. This music became a global brand through artists like UB40 and Maxi Priest. The music brought a level of intimacy between young people that was unique. It was also 'girl power' music that empowered a generation of young women. Through comedy, live performance, dance, interviews and archive the film takes you back to an untold era of British cultural, music and political history.

The Story of Lovers Rock

2011

Britain on Film: Black Britain poster
NR

Featuring footage spanning from 1901 to 1985, this little-seen footage has been found from all across the UK. This programme allows an exploration into stories of migration, community and also the struggle against inequality, while also providing the opportunity to celebrate black British culture and life on screen. Films in the programme include: Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901), Hull Fair (1902), For the Wounded (1915), From Trinidad to Serve the Empire (1916), Hello! West Indies (1943), Mining Review 2nd Year No. 11 (1949), To the Four Corners (1957), Black Special Constable (1964), Black Police Officers (1966), Cold Railway Workers (1964), Nigerian Wedding in Cornwall (1964), Coloured School Leavers (1965), London Line No. 373 (1971), African Student Families (1975), Liverpool 8 (1972), Blood Ah Go Run (1982), The Jah People (1981) and Grove Carnival (1981)

Britain on Film: Black Britain

2017

Britain on Film: Black Britain poster
NR

Featuring footage spanning from 1901 to 1985, this little-seen footage has been found from all across the UK. This programme allows an exploration into stories of migration, community and also the struggle against inequality, while also providing the opportunity to celebrate black British culture and life on screen. Films in the programme include: Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901), Hull Fair (1902), For the Wounded (1915), From Trinidad to Serve the Empire (1916), Hello! West Indies (1943), Mining Review 2nd Year No. 11 (1949), To the Four Corners (1957), Black Special Constable (1964), Black Police Officers (1966), Cold Railway Workers (1964), Nigerian Wedding in Cornwall (1964), Coloured School Leavers (1965), London Line No. 373 (1971), African Student Families (1975), Liverpool 8 (1972), Blood Ah Go Run (1982), The Jah People (1981) and Grove Carnival (1981)

Britain on Film: Black Britain

2017

Time and Judgement: A Diary of a 400 Year Exile poster
8.0

Time and Judgement is a sci-fi/documentary that combines biblical prophecy with events across the African diaspora between 1980 and 1987. Archive footage includes Haile Selassie, Bob Marley, Kwame Nkrumah, Maurice Bishop, Walter Rodney, Kwame Toure, Bernie Grant.

Time and Judgement: A Diary of a 400 Year Exile

1988

Time and Judgement: A Diary of a 400 Year Exile poster
8.0

Time and Judgement is a sci-fi/documentary that combines biblical prophecy with events across the African diaspora between 1980 and 1987. Archive footage includes Haile Selassie, Bob Marley, Kwame Nkrumah, Maurice Bishop, Walter Rodney, Kwame Toure, Bernie Grant.

Time and Judgement: A Diary of a 400 Year Exile

1988

Breaking Point – The Sus Law Controversy poster
NR

The use of an old Victorian law of ‘being a suspicious person’ commonly known as ‘sus’ was used against young black peoplein the mid 70’s in the UK. Interviews include Rudy Narrayan, Stuart Hall and Paul Boeteng. Breaking Point is the first documentary directed by a black director for mainstream British Television.

Breaking Point – The Sus Law Controversy

1978

Catch a Fire poster
NR

This award winning drama/doc tells the story of Paul Bogle, leader of the Morant Bay Rebellion 1865. This rebellion had a major impact on attitudes to race and empire in Victorian Britain, still present today.

Catch a Fire

1996

Catch a Fire poster
NR

This award winning drama/doc tells the story of Paul Bogle, leader of the Morant Bay Rebellion 1865. This rebellion had a major impact on attitudes to race and empire in Victorian Britain, still present today.

Catch a Fire

1996

Step Forward Youth poster
NR

Rare archive footage of British born young people in the mid 70s, discussing issues of school, police, parents and what it is like to be black in a white world.

Step Forward Youth

1977

Step Forward Youth poster
NR

Rare archive footage of British born young people in the mid 70s, discussing issues of school, police, parents and what it is like to be black in a white world.

Step Forward Youth

1977

Step Forward Youth poster
NR

Rare archive footage of British born young people in the mid 70s, discussing issues of school, police, parents and what it is like to be black in a white world.

Step Forward Youth

1977

No artwork available
NR

Shabazz's portrait of artist Ken McCalla who worked on Time and Judgement.

The Hand of Ken

2020

Pharaohs Unveiled poster
NR

This feature documentary provides fresh, new perspectives on the world of the ancient pharaohs of Egypt/Kemet. The film combines historical and contemporary insights drawing on interviews with experts in history, spirituality and channeling. The film presents a different view than that presented by western Egyptologists and historians.

Pharaohs Unveiled

2019

Looking for Love poster
NR

Despite modern advances in communication technology, many people face loneliness and depression. This immersive documentary explores online dating in the UK's black community.

Looking for Love

2015