A Story of Bones

The remote island of St Helena, a British overseas territory, is best known for Napoleon's tomb – the island's biggest tourist attraction. However, while overseeing the construction of a long-awaited airport on the island, Annina van Neel learns that the remains of thousands of formerly enslaved Africans have been uncovered, unearthing one of the most significant physical remaining traces of the transatlantic slave trade in the world. Annina decides to advocate for this legacy, initiating a debate among the islanders – many of whom have shared ancestry with the enslaved – about how to create an appropriate memorial. Along the way, she enlists the help of African American preservationist and veteran activist Peggy King Jorde, who makes important connections in their shared history.

This film speaks to the need for solidarity between all maritime unions, vividly recounting the 1934 West Coast waterfront strike, which culminated in a police riot in which two workers were killed, and led to further strikes and greater solidarity. Includes a great score with union hymns performed by Pete Seeger and Joe Jaffe, and a filmed introduction by Joseph Curran, president of the NMU.