Watch Shashamane

Shashamane is a 2016 documentary film that portrays the story of a group of individuals seeking economic and spiritual redemption in Ethiopia. The movie is directed by Giulia Amati and narrated by the locals in the community. The film follows the journey of a diverse group of people, mostly of African descent, migrating to Ethiopia to repatriate and form a community in the town of Shashamane. This comes as a result of a historic relationship between Ethiopia and the Rastafarian movement, which began when Haile Selassie, the revered former Emperor of Ethiopia, was crowned as a messiah figure by some Rastafarians.

The film documents their arrival in Shashamane as they encounter the challenges of creating a new life in a foreign land. These challenges include the need to adapt to a new culture, learn new skills, and forge deep connections with the local community.

The group comes together to create a community that is anchored in their shared values and principles, including the Rastafarian principles of love, unity, and respect for each other and their environment. They embrace their African roots and try to make a successful living by engaging in agriculture, music, and other locally based activities.

The film explores the challenges and successes of the community through their personal stories. Patrick Campbell, one of the characters in the film, discusses his journey from Jamaica to Ethiopia and how he found his place in the community at Shashamane. He describes the obstacles he encountered in his journey, including the stigma of Rastafarianism and the difficulty of being away from family and friends.

Another character George Isles reflects on his predicament as an African American in the United States and how he found solace by coming to Shashamane. He believes that this African land has removed him from the systemic oppression in Africa and has helped him discover his purpose in life.

The film captures the daily lives of the Shashamane community and portrays the deep sense of community and unity that they share. They work together to build houses, cultivate the lands, and create art and music.

However, the film also highlights the challenges that the community faces, including the struggle to make a self-sustainable living and the lack of support from the Ethiopian government. The community has to rely on the help of international organizations and other sympathetic groups to meet their basic needs.

In conclusion, Shashamane is a heartwarming documentary that depicts the journey of a group of individuals seeking a better life in Ethiopia. The film is an honest portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of the Shashamane community as they strive to live their best lives. It also explores the deeper meaning behind repatriation and the importance of embracing one's roots.

Shashamane is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.