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The French Premiere of “Amazing Grace” at UNESCO. An inspiring film that tells the story of William Wilberforce, a man of conscience who worked to abolish the transatlantic slave trade.
February, 2008
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Ambassadors Oliver and Landymore at the screening of “Amazing Grace.”
© USUNESCO / Photo: Anne Turnacliff


The U.S. and the U.K delegations co-hosted the French Premiere of “Amazing Grace” at UNESCO on February 6, 2008, and were joined by the film’s producer, Philip Anschutz, who spoke about the film and his dedication to creating movies that engage wide-ranging audiences on stories of hope and courage.

The film is based on the life of British antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce. It was produced by Philip Anschutz, an American, and was directed by the U.K.'s Michael Apted (The World is Not Enough, Coal Miner's Daughter).

Wilberforce was a Member of Parliament who dedicated much of his life to the abolition of slavery, and led the campaign to end the slave trade in the British Empire with the passage of a bill to ban the practice in 1807. Today, UNESCO's Slave Route Project documents the process through which, prior to the abolition of the slave trade, millions of African slaves were taken from ports along the coast of Africa to be sold and then transported to the New World.

The U.S., influenced by Wilberforce and his colleagues, officially abolished the slave trade on January 1, 1808. Wilberforce's work continued to inspire and encourage those who fought against slavery in the United States, including the author Harriet Beecher Stowe (Uncle Tom’s Cabin) and President John Quincy Adams.

In 2007, the U.S. Congress passed a bi-partisan resolution that commended Wilberforce on his efforts to spread a message of hope and freedom throughout America and to recognize the dignity of all human beings.

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Ambassador Landymore, May-Lynn Chang from Walden Media, Philip Anschutz, producer, “Amazing Grace,” and Ambassador Oliver.
© USUNESCO / Photo: Anne Turnacliff.
Ambassador Oliver discusses the film with May-Lynn Chang, Walden Media.
© USUNESCO / Photo: Anne Turnacliff.
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U.S. Mission to UNESCO Legal Advisor Michael Peay talks with a guest during the reception following the screening.
© USUNESCO / Photo: Anne Turnacliff.
“Amazing Grace” post-screening reception.
© USUNESCO / Photo: Anne Turnacliff.


Links

Ambassador Peter Landymore remarks
Ambassador Louise Oliver remarks
Producer Philip Anschutz remarks

UNESCO Slave Route Project
UNESCO Slave Trade Archives

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