WEST INDIES: THE FUGITIVE SLAVES OF LIBERTY (THE CRITERION COLLECTION) [BLU-RAY]

Mauritanian French firebrand Med Hondo puts colonialism itself on trial in this one-of-a-kind musical spectacular'a collective effort of unprecedented scale and ambition that proved a watershed event in African cinema. Aboard an enormous mock slave ship, Hondo stages a series of imaginative reenactments and intricately choreographed dance numbers that trace the devastating effects of French imperialism across centuries of enslavement and injustice. Beyond mere extravaganza, West Indies: The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty is a stirring call to Pan-African independence and a dazzling yet critical reconception of an entire people''''s history of oppression and rebellion. BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack New interview with African-cinema scholar Aboubakar Sanogo Program featuring archival interviews with director Med Hondo Excerpted archival interview with cinematographer Francois Catonne Trailers PLUS: An essay by film programmer and critic Ashley Clark