US-based film distributors Kino Lorber and Milestone Film and Video have exciting news for cinephiles—a 4K restoration of the 1971 film “Bushman” is in the works.
The cinematic gem, centered around the experiences of a Nigerian immigrant named Paul Okpokam in 1960s America, is set to make its long-awaited return to the public sphere.
The unveiling of the 4K restoration is scheduled for February 2nd, 2023, at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).
However, film enthusiasts can get a sneak peek as the restored version will have its initial screening debut on January 15th, 2023, at the Museum of Modern Art’s (MoMA) film preservation festival.
The restoration project, a collaboration between the University of California Berkeley Art Museum, Pacific Film Archive, and The Film Foundation, generously funded by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, promises to breathe new life into this cinematic masterpiece originally crafted by David Schickele in 1971.
“Bushman,” a 75-minute docu-fictional comedy, unfolds the tale of Peace Corps veteran David Schickele enlisting his Nigerian friend, Paul Okpokam, in 1968 to create a light-hearted comedy portraying the adventures of an African navigating San Francisco.
he production takes an unexpected turn, delving into the real-life challenges Okpokam faced, including racial tensions, interracial relationships, and cultural clashes. His unjust accusation of terrorism during a college strike, a one-year detention, and subsequent deportation form the gripping climax of the narrative.
Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in both the United States and Nigeria, marked by the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. in the U.S. and the Biafra Civil War in Nigeria, “Bushman” offers a poignant exploration of historical events.
