Join us for an evening with filmmakers and writers Moyo and Morayo Akande as they present their 20-minute film “1745” and discuss their creative process. This event is co-sponsored with the W&M departments of History and English.

“1745” synopsis

When two young black enslaved black sisters escape into the wilds of 18th century Scotland, they must use all of their courage and strength to survive, unite, and stay free.

1745 highlights a forgotten part of Scotland’s history: while Scotland was fighting for its national freedom in that fateful year, its economy was in large part founded on the booming colonial slave trade. While the majority of slavery happened elsewhere – off-stage, across the Atlantic – there were enslaved Africans here, kept as trophies and pets
in the houses of their rich merchant masters. “1745” was inspired by advertisements that writer, Morayo Akandé, discovered for runaway slaves, placed in Scottish newspapers of the time.