ZAM Reporter

04.10.20 | De post-racistische planeet

What does a world without racism looks like? And how do we get there? Inspired by an Afrofuturistic graphic novel, filmmakers Ikenna Azuike, Soraya Pol and Mette te Velde explore a world beyond them and us.

This episode of Dutch VPRO tv's Tegenlicht shows Azuike's personal journey. While reading to his children from the fictional 'De Post-Racistische Planeet', a different world comes to life, a world drawn by artist Brian Elstak and inspired by Afrofuturism. The expert interviewees in the documentary are being presented as superheroes in infographic bestsellers published by Marvel.

Since the killing of George Floyd the movement against institutional racism and inequality has been booming. At the same time, it's still hard to talk racism. How do we work towards structural change? When are things really changing? In this documentary, the experts' ideas and insights are intermingled with the journey of Azuike and his mixed family.

In the documentary neuro-computer scientist Sennay Ghebreab claims that a world without racism is only possible with the assistance of artificial intelligence and technology . But psychosomatic therapist Camille Barton states that the key to equal interaction is in our bodies. When we are able to deal with our physical and emotional responses to racism, with our pain and unease, we will beat it. Ugandan-British poet Musa Okwonga emphasizes the 'power of imagination’ while writer and anti-racism educator Layla F. Saad promotes the 'power of knowledge transfer'. 

'De Post-Racistische Staat' will be screened on Sunday 4 October, 2020, at NPO2