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Long Live John Africa
- Sean Slater
- Unrepped
- Available
- Drama
- Scouted
- 70.7
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A black revolutionary adopts the name John Africa and sparks a movement that results in the most extreme case of police brutality in American history. Based on true events.
In the 1970s and 1980s, a man looking for social change becomes a mythic figure for the Black activist movement, but his methods and ideals garner controversy, causing people to think of him as a cultist.
The story of John Africa, born Vincent Leaphart, who created the subversive and radical group MOVE in the 1970s and 1980s. The Black activist organization MOVE was a real group, and many of the followers were murdered by Philadelphia police in a bombing attack.
As John Africa, Vincent Leaphart founds the American Christian Movement for Life, known as Move, an organization that advocates for animal rights and criticizes war, medicine, and education. As the group gains popularity, the police become increasingly suspicious of the organization and attempt to harass and arrest Move's members.
Film
Drama, Faith/Spirituality, Political, African-American / Black Theme, Historical, Fight, Police, True Story, Violence/Violent
125
R
Medium
M
Black / African
40
Average
Judas and the Black Messiah, The Master, Wild Wild Country, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple, Malcolm X, The Trial of the Chicago 7
1934 - 1986
Majority in Philadelphia metro area: houses, apartment, courtroom, prison, church, train, stores, police station, streets, MOVE house
In 1935, VINCENT LEAPHART (5) walks home with his sisters, LAVERNE (8) and LOUISE (7). When Vincent sees a police officer on a horse, Vincent attempts to hug the horse. The police officer pushes him away. During this time, Vincent is placed in the “orthogenically backward” class at school.
In 1941, Vincent’s older brother is shot and killed. Ten years later, Vincent (21) attempts to rob a liquor store with SMITTY (?) and LARRY (?). The store owner pulls a gun out to stop the three thieves. Larry shoots the store owner, who manages to shoot Smitty. Vincent escapes and runs directly into a police officer. Vincent is arrested.
At trial, he is given the option to go to prison or enlist in the Korean War. Vincent reluctantly decides to become a soldier. In Korea, white officers make racist comments about Vincent and the other Black soldiers.
Vincent survives the war and, in 1953, returns to the United States. Vincent marries DOROTHY CLARK (20s). When he learns that Dorothy is unable to get pregnant, he leaves Dorothy. Vincent begins to preach his beliefs that war, education, capitalism, and medicine are tools to harm and control.
Vincent continues to talk about his beliefs publicly. One day, he witnesses an...
In 1941, Vincent’s older brother is shot and killed. Ten years later, Vincent (21) attempts to rob a liquor store with SMITTY (?) and LARRY (?). The store owner pulls a gun out to stop the three thieves. Larry shoots the store owner, who manages to shoot Smitty. Vincent escapes and runs directly into a police officer. Vincent is arrested.
At trial, he is given the option to go to prison or enlist in the Korean War. Vincent reluctantly decides to become a soldier. In Korea, white officers make racist comments about Vincent and the other Black soldiers.
Vincent survives the war and, in 1953, returns to the United States. Vincent marries DOROTHY CLARK (20s). When he learns that Dorothy is unable to get pregnant, he leaves Dorothy. Vincent begins to preach his beliefs that war, education, capitalism, and medicine are tools to harm and control.
Vincent continues to talk about his beliefs publicly. One day, he witnesses an...