Barely a year after
its exhibition in different cinemas across the world, the documentary, “The
Jews of Nigeria” is finally set for release for public consumption. It is
produced by Jeff Lieberman, a Canadian, who is also a journalist based in New
York, who spent over eight years working on the amazing documentary.
The Jews of
Nigeria, a 93min documentary, was premiered in New York City, Quad Cinema, and
last weekend. It focuses on a minority that claims to have descended from
ancient Israelites. And his evident joy in Judaism. When a movie comes along
and changes the way you view the world, this documentary is just such a
movie.” RE-EMERGING is the first
independent film of Jeff whose work has been seen on CBS, HBO, CNN, FOX, Starz
Encore, Fox Movie Channel, The Discovery Channel, and E! Entertainment.
It hinges on
members of the Igbo people of Nigeria who believe that they are descended from
Jews, including individual stories and the history of the Igbo from Biblical
times.
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| Jeff and Nigerians(Igbo) |
The film also establishes
that several prominent African-Americans such as actors Forrest Whitaker and
Blair Underwood, and Bishop T.D. Jakes have discovered an Igbo DNA connection,
and further, that in areas like the state of Virginia, 60% of African slaves
was Igbo.
RE-EMERGING, traces
a fierce spirit of independence in the Igbos from Biblical times through
rebellions during the slave trade and the brutal 1960s Biafran War (which killed over one million
Igbos) to the Rediscovery
of Judaism today. The
luminous individuals featured
in the film powerfully demonstrate the
Igbo’s resilience as well
as their firm commitment to Judaism.
The film has
apparently caused a stir, for many African-Americans, who are interested in
determining their genetic and ancestral background. Through the help of
American historians, the film sheds new light on the origins of between
hundreds to two thousands of African slaves brought to American shores, a large
number of whom were Igbo.
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