Black Athena

This fascinating documentary examines the response to Cornell University scholar Martin Bernal's projected multi-volume work Black Athena, which takes as its central thesis the notion that 19th century classicists have constructed an "Aryan model" of Greek culture that doesn't allow for the strong African influence that Bernal feels is clearly evident in the ancient Greek texts and archaeological digs. A soft-spoken man, Bernal offers numerous "points" to support his arguments, many derived from linguistic research. A self-proclaimed "language junkie," Bernal's "sound-alike" approach to comparative language studies borders on the serendipitous, and more than a few of the many scholars interviewed effectively demolish his language links. Ultimately, however, Black Athena goes way beyond an academic tiff. Black scholar Dr. Leonard Jeffries' wholehearted embracing of Bernal's theories seems to underscore a desperate need for defining one's intellectual roots, and the filmed excerpts of his class come across as more of a "black awareness group" than as a classroom of serious college study. On the other side of the coin, the scholars range from eurocentric white English prigs to concerned professors who would like to challenge Bernal's theories, but are afraid of being called racists for doing so. Excellent editing and crisp photography make Black Athena an eminently watchable film, and while the surface subject matter (a scholarly historical debate) might seem offputting to some, the film really does raise serious questions about many race issues--issues that are surprisingly familiar, whether they're raised on the streets of Harlem or in the halls of academe. Highly recommended. (Available from: California Newsreel, 149 Ninth St./420, San Francisco, CA 94103.)