The CBC Film Adaptation Of The Book Of Negroes: The Final Journey


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Picture Credit: The Book Of Negroes/CBC

Well, we have reached the end of the road. It has been a privilege to review this brilliantly produced mini-series based on Lawrence Hill’s book, “The Book Of Negroes”. As I previously said, no stone was left unturned and no emotion untouched. Kudos to everyone involved with this project.

Last week’s episode of The Book Of Negroes, as racial tensions heightened, Animata and Chekura made a firm decision to journey back to their homeland, Africa.

This brings us to this week’s episode where Aminata becomes more engrossed in the idea of returning to her village of Bayo. The local tribes, however, are unwilling to support her and Aminata must enlist the help of Dr. Falconbridge, a longtime resident of Freetown, to approach a group of slave traders to guide her and Chekura inland. They are soon double-crossed and Aminata is forced to flee for her life. After a local tribe takes her in and nurses her back to health, she realizes she must let go of her dream of returning to Bayo, and sets out to London to tell her life story to the world.

It bears repeating to stress that Aunjanue Ellis is extraordinary in the role of Aminata Diallo. She lives and breathes the character and we feel her character’s pain, frustration, suffering and determination in capturing the freedom which we all take for granted – and which we all deserve.

Congratulations, once again, to the producers, the writers, the technical staff, the musicians, the actors and everyone involved with this remarkable mini-series. You should be proud.

And, as always, a special shout-out to the Associate Producer, Justin Giallonardomy nephew , for his hard work and artistic contribution to this series. We are so thrilled for you and very proud.

Here in Canada, the fifth episode of Lawrence Hill’s award-winning novel, “The Book Of Negroes“, continues on Wednesday, February 4th on CBC Television at 9:00 PM.

However, check your TV listings. One station actually aired the show at 8:00 PM last week.

And, if you are unable to watch it on HDTV, then you can purchase the full season of The Book of Negroes or catch a Sneak Peek of The Book of Negroes on iTunes.

Comments are now open for your insights and analysis.

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici

4 Responses to “The CBC Film Adaptation Of The Book Of Negroes: The Final Journey”

  1. Finally, The Book of Negroes will be shown in the US on BET beginning tonight (Monday, Feb 16 at 8:00 pm). Thank you for posting information about this series. I’m really looking forward to seeing it.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Louise – you will not disappointed. The first couple of episodes are heartbreaking to watch. The acting is phenomenal.

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  3. Want to know how did amanita and daughter survived, how are they today? and where are they today?

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  4. Will there be another story on how and where they are today? want to know what her daughter’s doing. Any grands?

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