Harry Belafonte was arguably one of the most distinguished musical artists, actors and human rights campaigners of the last 70 years.
Born in New York City to Jamaican parents on 1 March 1927, the singer-activist led a life full of musical milestones, spanning Jamaican folk music and calypso, and notably, performing on stage with Max Roach and Charlie Parker. He also recorded with the Zoot Sims Quintet. He died on 25 April 2023.
On International Jazz Day 2025 (30 April), the London premiere of Susanne Rostock’s ‘Following Harry’ will take place at 6pm at the Bolivar Hall.
This documentary provides an intimate chronicling of the last twelve years of Harry Belafonte’s life, highlighting his enduring commitment to social justice.
‘Following Harry’ provides a penetrating peek into Belafonte’s public endeavours and private moments, capturing his positions on the aftermath of Trayvon Martin’s death to his engagements in the Ferguson (Missouri) protests of 2014, the 2017 Women’s March (created in his office), to profound conversations in his New York City home.
Harry Belafonte’s political beliefs were shaped and developed in large measure by his mentor, the singer, actor, and civil rights activist, Paul Robeson. He refused to perform at venues below the Mason-Dixon line (the formerly confederate American South) from 1954 until 1961 and was closely associated with the turbulent struggles against American racism, marching with close confidant, Martin Luther King and raising funds for the civil rights campaigns of the period.
The film ultimately amplifies Harry’s belief that “each generation must be responsible for itself. All I can do is leave behind the crumbs of my experience. I have a trail that you can follow, if you find value in it, pick it up and if you don’t, bring something better!”
‘Following Harry’ also features Belafonte alongside a younger generation of artist-activists Aja Monet, Aloe Blacc, Carmen Perez, Philip Agnew, Jesse Williams and many more.
The film-maker Susanne Rostock has said of her film:
“The intention was to document this arc of history [involving Harry Belafonte] and have it go forward into the future because there is so little awareness of consequence and how history impacts the present and the future. When I started making this film, it was to create a blue-print for my 28-year-old daughter’s generation and the generation to come”.
Jazzmo’thology’s Ra Hendricks says:
“25 April marks the second anniversary of Harry Belafonte’s passing. Having lived to the ripe old age of 96, he may have been rightly proud of a legacy which spanned the 20th and 21st centuries. His story is unique and the documentary speaks directly to today’s generation who are about to take up his mantle.”
Bolivar Hall is at 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL. The coordinator-producer of the screening is Jazzmo’thology. The event is partnered by Her Excellency Mrs Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter, the Republic of Cuba’s Ambassador to the UK.
