NEW YORK – (JIS), A documentary about the life of Emperor Haile Selassie1 of Ethiopia will be screened in New York City for the first time on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the Oberia Dempsey Center (127 West 127th Street), in Harlem, NY.
Written and produced by 28 year old Ethiopian native Tikher Teferra, “Man of the Millennium”, as the docu-flick is titled, offers footage never before seen about Haile Selassie 1.
The documentary will offer viewers a chance to “set the record straight”.
“This film uniquely provides Ethiopians at home and abroad and locals with the history to prepare for their future. It is a must see for all. ‘Man of the Millennium’ is a candid presentation of facts, yet highly entertaining. Audiences will walk away thoroughly informed about Emperor Haile Selassie 1 of Ethiopia,” notes a statement from 4th Avenue Films, collaborators with Exodus Films on the New York screening.
Voted Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1930, Haile Selassie visited Jamaica on April 21, 1966 and was greeted upon his arrival at then Palisados Airport in Kingston by an estimated 100, 000 Rastafarians from across the country, having heard that the man whom they considered to be God was coming to visit them .
He died on August 27, 1975 following complications from an operation.
To this day, Haile Selassie is still seen as the Black Messiah who will lead the peoples of Africa and the African Diaspora to freedom.
A promising filmmaker, Teferra’s other film project, “Back to my Roots-Living in Zion”, has been chosen as one of several films on Reggae and Rastafari that will be featured at the Reggae Film Festival in Kingston, Jamaica, in February 2008 (Black History Month).
13 thoughts on “Haile Selassie documentary to be screened in New York”
God Bless Tikher Tefera only 28 years old young man. I hope we’ll learn from this movie a lot.
“He died on August 27, 1975 following complications from an operation.”
Why are they changing history?
He was murdered by facist DERG Mengistu Haile Mariam
Man of the Millennium? Who? Haileselasie? I don’t agree anyway.What is his legacy? Can some one challange me about it?
Yes,the emperor was killed by the derg. Why some body tries to change the fact. He never had complication or headache. It was a sheer murder by Mengistu
Why changing the fact about how the emperor died? I thought Mengistu killed him. I believe the public also knows the emperor was murdered by Derg. Is the twisting of the story to make some people happy such as derg and Rastas?
I am sure he was a good man and leader compared with Melse and Mengistu, the two devils of the century.
Best Regards,
All,
“Operation” is not necessarily medical or surgical. All of you assumed that the ”operation” was some kind of surgery that he underwent. Why dont you all wait and see what the operation was? he meant the operation that was made to kill him.
This is history of just yesterday. Haile Selassie was murdered by Mengistu and Atnafu Abate.
Both of these murdrers entered his bed room and saffocated him with his own pillow.
The cook, who was taking care of the Emperor aired this fact the moment EPRDF entered Addis Ababa. I hope several Ethiopians have heard this man’s testimony.
I know this cook is still alive. It is also better to get all facts from the Emperor’s family.
Dear All, Thank you for the comments. I just wanted to clear some facts about the film.In the film, I donot claim the Haile Selassie died from complications from an operation. I just say that the Derge said that but I clarify that is not the truth. I even present the statement from his then Doctor who has stated that Haile Selassie did not have an complications from an operation and that he was in perfect health the last day he saw him.
I hope my film will be an opportunity for all of us to know the true history of Emperor Haile Selassie. I would also like to thank the Ethiopian Review for giving me the opportunity to tell about my new film.
Sincerely,
Tikher Teferra Kidane
Dear Tikher,
Thank you for your hardwork to share the great man that you did not get to meet. I was a small boy when I shook his hands twice in the same days when we lived in Amibara. He was a real African/Ethioian who worked so hard to bring peace and prosperity via diplomacy changing Ethiopia to join the modern era. Unfortunately we lost a great leader. His death brought murderers Derg, TPLF/Shabia.
Dear Tikher
Congratulations on your film . Your work will I am sure balance the hitherto negative opinions about this great man. For so many years it was thanks to the RasTafarins that his contributions to history and his country was remembered at all ! I am so glad that an Ethiopian has taken up this responsibility. Thank you.
I hope there will be an opportunity to see the film in Europe.
Thank you Tikher. I saw the film last night in NY and I must say its really wonderful. I learned a lot about Haile Selassie. It has help me realize many historical events. More over what I liked is the way you presented it. Even though its a 1 hour 40 minute documentary I felt like I was watching a feature film. God bless you! You are a true Ethiopian Hero! I look forward to your other films. I cannot wait to see “Back to My Roots”. Egizabiher Kante Gar Yihun!!!!
As a person who has most negative info about Haile Selassie the film has helped me know various positive info I did not know before. It is a bit too much positive but I think it is well put together and also to some extent balanced. I admire the film make as I trust it was a big challenge to make the first move in making such a controvertial film. Even though I still need to be convinced more to have Haile Selassie as Man of the Millennium I still hail up the filmmaker for teaching us our history. Big Up Bro!!!!
I really admire your effort. I wonder how old you were since you start collecting the document and put in to the image. Becaseue there are some people who are way older than you and have suplus document and don’t know what to do with it. Great job. At least you setp up with what you know from reading manscript or listing what older parents telling you. you did not say this is that fact about Haile Selassie died. As long us you mention the source in your movie don’t worry. Even if it is true or not you are informing the new generation who is interested to know about it. I will assume the film is not showing only the Majustice death it will touch different kind of information of the past life conditon. atleast we grab some history about what our Hero generations did to Keep Ethiopia One unlike todays I don’t even know what to call them. Sorry!! If anyone knows the truth let them present it and audiance will be the judge.
I did not see or hear about the movie just reading of what the movie about and viweres comment. I hope all Ethiopians who live in DC, Md and Va will have the chance to see it. Please if you can inform us when you going to show in this area. Good Luck.