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Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture John King has praised the career and life of Barbadian-born filmmaker Menelik Shabazz who has died at the age of 67.
According to the arts website alt-africa, he died in Zimbabwe on June 28. No cause of death was given.
Below is the full statement issued by Minister King
I am saddened to learn of the passing of Barbadian-born filmmaker Menelik Shabazz.
Menelik Shabazz, who was born in St. John rose to international prominence for his 1982 feature-length Burning An Illusion.
In 2016, after a long-standing career of international success, he made an admirable effort to provide an opportunity for several Barbadians in the pilot of Heat, a television drama series featuring local talent Patrick Foster, Alison Hinds, Kirk Brown, and Andrew Pilgrim.
As a screenwriter and director, Menelik’s ability to create a story from script development to filming was unmatched, leading him to garner praise for productions such as Time and Judgement, Catch A Fire, Looking For Love, and The Story of Lover’s Rock.
Throughout his career, his productions were featured on the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, and he is credited for pioneering the development of contemporary black British cinema.
Unashamed to allow those around the world to know of his lineage, he never forgot his humble beginnings in Barbados and utilized every opportunity to promote our country on the big screens of the world.
Therefore, without a doubt, Barbados has lost a gem and a shining star in the world’s constellation.
On behalf of the Government of Barbados, I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Menelik Shabazz.
