1996·Documentary·45m
7.1
★
An examination of the hitherto unexplored relationships between Pan-African culture, science fiction, intergalactic travel, and rapidly progressing computer technology.
Directed by John Akomfrah
time travel
afrofuturism
science fiction
experimental documentary
IMDB
N/A
Cast
George Clinton
Self
Nichelle Nichols
Self
Goldie
Self
Octavia E. Butler
Self
Crew
John Akomfrah
Director
Popular Reviews
11 reviews
Igory
8.0★ · 03/07/26
Afrofuturism and the imitation of the future is something that intrigues me greatly, because we have this idea that the past is connected to the future, we are so far away and yet so close to these ideas
Afrofuturism and the imitation of the future is something that intrigues me greatly, because we have this idea that the past is connected to the future, we are so far away and yet so close to these ideas
mwesrikPRO
6.0★ · 10/26/25
Watched this for a class on Afrofuturism and I feel like my brain just expanded a little bit. This is so fucking cool.
I was not expecting the slightly disorienting editing and blurring of reality and fiction so I had to adjust for a second but now I adore the style and subjects so much!
It’s an incredibly exciting piece of art. The fact that it feels a little dated somewhat adds to that I think.
Unfortunately I have ADHD and really struggled to stay focused on documentaries like this which is just a subjective issue
I was not expecting the slightly disorienting editing and blurring of reality and fiction so I had to adjust for a second but now I adore the style and subjects so much!
It’s an incredibly exciting piece of art. The fact that it feels a little dated somewhat adds to that I think.
Unfortunately I have ADHD and really struggled to stay focused on documentaries like this which is just a subjective issue
Watched this for a class on Afrofuturism and I feel like my brain just expanded a little bit. This is so fucking cool.
I was not expecting the slightly disorienting editing and blurring of reality and fiction so I had to adjust for a second but now I adore the style and subjects so much!
It’s an incredibly exciting piece of art. The fact that it feels a little dated somewhat adds to that I think.
Unfortunately I have ADHD and really struggled to stay focused on documentaries like this which is just a subjective issue
I was not expecting the slightly disorienting editing and blurring of reality and fiction so I had to adjust for a second but now I adore the style and subjects so much!
It’s an incredibly exciting piece of art. The fact that it feels a little dated somewhat adds to that I think.
Unfortunately I have ADHD and really struggled to stay focused on documentaries like this which is just a subjective issue
Ivy
9.5★ · 09/11/25
Taking off my glasses ‘cause I ain’t got anything super intellectual to add onto this. Just… fuck yeah…. The didactical tradition of Black filmmaking never prevents Black artists from making the coolest shit ever. This pretty simple essay film on the intersection between Afrofuturism, Pan-Africanism, and Black worldbuilding in different forms has a stronger grip on aesthetics and heart than most documentaries, making talking heads feel transformative as a result.
Taking off my glasses ‘cause I ain’t got anything super intellectual to add onto this. Just… fuck yeah…. The didactical tradition of Black filmmaking never prevents Black artists from making the coolest shit ever. This pretty simple essay film on the intersection between Afrofuturism, Pan-Africanism, and Black worldbuilding in different forms has a stronger grip on aesthetics and heart than most documentaries, making talking heads feel transformative as a result.
alex
toparme por casualidad con esto tras ver un video de jane remover diciendo que este es un "p-funk summer" no ha hecho más que corroborarlo. p-funk summer indeed y eternamente porque no he visto nada más fascinante en mucho tiempo: afrofuturismo, viajes temporales, vinculación simbólica entre el sci-fi y la diaspora africana, techno de detroit, sun ra, george clinton, la leyenda de robert johnson, y todo ello y mucho más comentado por ismael reed, samuel delany y octavia butler, entre otros. y sólo 45 minutos de esta maravilla! 45 minutos que me he pasado pegado a la pantalla como nunca antes. no puedo esperar para volvermelo a ver. y aún es mucho más chulo habiendo leído more brilliant than the sun de kodwo eshun
toparme por casualidad con esto tras ver un video de jane remover diciendo que este es un "p-funk summer" no ha hecho más que corroborarlo. p-funk summer indeed y eternamente porque no he visto nada más fascinante en mucho tiempo: afrofuturismo, viajes temporales, vinculación simbólica entre el sci-fi y la diaspora africana, techno de detroit, sun ra, george clinton, la leyenda de robert johnson, y todo ello y mucho más comentado por ismael reed, samuel delany y octavia butler, entre otros. y sólo 45 minutos de esta maravilla! 45 minutos que me he pasado pegado a la pantalla como nunca antes. no puedo esperar para volvermelo a ver. y aún es mucho más chulo habiendo leído more brilliant than the sun de kodwo eshun
Will Price
10.0★ · 08/31/24
A beautiful documentary that might have as much quotes as it does intriguing shots.
“How much more Alien does it get than slavery”
The sci-fi aspect that is added in just really boggles my brain; as a black kid that loves sci-fi I know i’m going to be thinking about this for weeks. Forreal a perfect watch, imo deserves a 5n1/2.
Also not to mention watched w/ my dad (who’s from detroit n was a funk kid) and was so cool to see him reminisce about his old scene❤️
“How much more Alien does it get than slavery”
The sci-fi aspect that is added in just really boggles my brain; as a black kid that loves sci-fi I know i’m going to be thinking about this for weeks. Forreal a perfect watch, imo deserves a 5n1/2.
Also not to mention watched w/ my dad (who’s from detroit n was a funk kid) and was so cool to see him reminisce about his old scene❤️
A beautiful documentary that might have as much quotes as it does intriguing shots.
“How much more Alien does it get than slavery”
The sci-fi aspect that is added in just really boggles my brain; as a black kid that loves sci-fi I know i’m going to be thinking about this for weeks. Forreal a perfect watch, imo deserves a 5n1/2.
Also not to mention watched w/ my dad (who’s from detroit n was a funk kid) and was so cool to see him reminisce about his old scene❤️
“How much more Alien does it get than slavery”
The sci-fi aspect that is added in just really boggles my brain; as a black kid that loves sci-fi I know i’m going to be thinking about this for weeks. Forreal a perfect watch, imo deserves a 5n1/2.
Also not to mention watched w/ my dad (who’s from detroit n was a funk kid) and was so cool to see him reminisce about his old scene❤️