Owen 'Alik Shahadah
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Owen ‘Alik Shahadah (b. 1973) is a (director/writer/musician/photographer/music producer). He is most known for authoring works which tend to deal with social justice, environmental issues, education and world peace. Born in Hanover, Germany and educated in both England and the Caribbean.
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Education
Shahadah studied Aeronautical Engineering (BEng) in London and zoology (Bsc)at the University of the West Indies. He is currently working on obtaining a doctorate on African history and culture. He is known to be one of the few filmmakers from a Science/Engineering background who applies engineering models/principles to film production. He also has a keen interest in anthropology, natural history, linguistics and is a qualified PADI divemaster (scuba diver).Films
Owen ‘Alik Shahadah is most know for directing the documentary 500 Years Later," an influential film, that explores the psycho cultural effects of slavery and colonialism in the African Diaspora. The film amassed 4 international awards including; Best Documentary at the Pan African (Los Angeles) and Bridgetown (Barbados) Film Festivals; Best Film at the International Black Cinema (Berlin) Film Festival; and Best International Documentary at the Harlem (New York) International Film Festival. In October of 2005, 500 Years Later was screened at the Millions More Movement. Philadelphia Weekly wrote, "When participants gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the Millions More Movement rally last month, they also became one of the largest film audiences in history." He has also directed The Idea with (Tunde Jegede) a black comedy as well as the political documentary Our Story, Our Voice.African Aesthetic
Owen ‘Alik Shahadah is seen as the next generation of African Diaspora filmmakers who draws from the masters of African cinema. Shahadah believes that Africans must develop an authentic African aesthetic and bring this into film culture. He also stresses that all art in the traditional African senses is socially functional. As a filmmaker he is noted for emphasising music to film synchronization. He stresses that African film, like African music (continent and Diaspora), has a rhythm which is the fundamental inner harmony that sets up a unique African sensibility. Owen Shahadah is a critic of Nollywood and popular “black American cinema” which he believes cheapens the perception of African culture; “it re-emphasizes, by imitation, a culturally shallow notion of African people, it serves more for the entertainment of Europeans than anything else.” (Interview on GAP Radio, UK 2005).Film/Video List
- The Idea(2006)
- Our Story, Our Voice(2006)
- 500 Years Later(2005)
- No Difference (Music Video)(2005)
- Tear for the World (Music Video)(2005)
- Like water running off my back (Music Video)(2004)
Music Career
Producers and pianist in the Jazz-Fusion band Ocacia. Who have performed at numerous international jazz festivals, including the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival 2000. The band has also played at many of the key London Jazz venues including Ronnie Scotts and WKD. As a music writer Owen ‘Alik Shahadah has written over 400 songs including the hit Tear for the World’’’ and If I… (Co-written by Maya Jobarteh). Owen ‘Alik Shahadah also wrote the opening theme for 500 Years Later with African percussionist Mamedi Kamara. As executive producer he was worked with artist such as Poppy Seed and Akhirah. Known for fusing his sayings into musical lyrics such as: “Real Revolutions happen in the quite space” and "...the dove of peace cannot fly down the barrel of a gun" and "Ugly is ignorance worn with pride."'''Published work
Widely known as the creator of the audiomentary he has written audio adoptions of the work of the renowned Turkish writer Harun Yahya. These works included Dark Face of Darwinism( a study of the legacy of social Darwinism), Perished Nations and the Collapse of Evolution.He had written the audio production Torn land: Palestine, African Holocaust: Dark Voyages and co-written Afrikan Kingdoms. He has written a groundbreaking paper titled Linguistics for a new African reality which was adapted by the African Code. The paper identifies the ground rules for language usage as it applies to oppressed people who seek Self-determination. In December 2005 he published a controversial report on South Africa, 10 years after apartheid, titled: South Africa; 10 Years in 10 days.Links
- http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/catalogue/browse/?id=522C61FA051451E21DsRo1ED5B6B British Films]
- [Rice N Peas Interview]
- [Owen Alik Shahadah's Photo site]
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