Unlock to stream instantly
Already unlocked? for access
$15After unlocking, you'll have 7 days to start watching. Once you begin, you'll have 24 hours to finish watching. Need help?

July 1, 2023, will be a slavery memorial year in which the country “will pause to reflect on this painful history.

This will be the anniversary of the abolition of slavery 160 years ago. Activists consider next year the 150th anniversary, because many enslaved people were forced to continue working in plantations for a decade after abolition. History still plays a negative role in the lives of many today.”


The Dutch first became involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the late

1500s and became a major trader in the mid-1600s. Eventually, the Dutch West India Company became the largest trans-Atlantic slave trader.

In 2018, Denmark apologized to Ghana, which it colonized from the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century. In June 2022, King Philippe of Belgium expressed “deepest regrets” for abuses in Congo.

The film looks at over 400 troubled years of the British monarchy as it relates to colonialism and the slave trade, with calls today for restorative justice and reparation.


The major player in the whole activity was Great Britain with both the British government and the monarchy; i.e., the Royal Family, equally implicated. The result is the ongoing five century tragedy of forced immigration from the colonies in Africa and resultant slavery in the colonies of the Caribbean. 


It began with Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Although slavery was not legally sanctioned, it did not prevent the first known slavers, William Towerson and John Hawkins, from operating during her reign. The royal family began to officially support the slave trade with her successor to the throne, James I. The Royal African Company was officially established in 1672 under King Charles II, achieving a peak 74% share of the market. All told, Britain transported around 3.1 million enslaved Africans to the Caribbean until slavery was abolished in 1807. 


The cries for the government and the monarchy to account for its past sins over five consecutive centuries have been growing louder in recent years and have reached a crescendo with the Queen’s death. Strong united voices are speaking out in the Caribbean, and have created a ten-point action plan. Demands for a response are now being reported by mainstream media, with the likelihood of an international legal reckoning if the response is not to the satisfaction of all. 


July 1, 2023, will be a slavery memorial year in which European countries “will pause to reflect on this painful history. 

  • Year
    2023
  • Runtime
    50mins
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    Canada
  • Premiere
    February 19th 2023
  • Rating
    Mature Content
  • Social Media
  • Director
    Shelley Jarrett
  • Screenwriter
    Andrew Terry Pasieka/Kareem Gordon
  • Producer
    Andrew Terry Pasieka
  • Executive Producer
    Shelley Jarrett
  • Co-Producer
    Mitzi Allen
  • Filmmaker
    Shelley Jarrett
  • Cast
    Dorbrene O'Marde/Kareem Gordon/Andrew Terry Pasieka/Shelley Jarrett
  • Cinematographer
    Ryan Singh
  • Editor
    Andrew Terry Pasieka/George Hayward
  • Animator
    N/A
  • Production Design
    Ryan Singh
  • Composer
    N/A
  • Sound Design
    Ryan Singh
  • Music
    George Hayward