U.S. Premiere Screening of No Chains No Masters

Wed, February 5, 2025 5:30 PM - Wed, February 5, 2025 8:00 PM at Kellogg Auditorium

Register HERE

No Chains No Masters marks his directorial debut and is the first film about slavery in France in 35 years.

Simon Moutaïrou shared his perspective on the transformative power of cinema: “Cinema is a powerful art form! It can hit you in the gut and make your hair stand on end. When everything aligns, you leave the theater a little changed. Cinema has the ability to make history come alive. As a Franco-Beninese filmmaker, I was deeply affected by the idea of slavery as a teenager. The thought that men and women were once considered mere property, no different from a table or a coat rack as outlined in the Code Noir, made me angry. However, the idea of resistance and marronage, of men and women breaking their chains, gave me immense pride.

I believe we all must embrace the spirit of marronage. Whether it’s societal oppression or personal constraints, be it due to race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, we must break free. There are still chains holding us back, and it’s time to shatter them."

Please join us to explore Black resistance through history and a global lens in honor of Black History Month.

Sponsored by: MSU-ISP Global DEI, in collaboration with MSU Culinary and with the support of the US French Embassy, MSU IDI, African Studies, History, and Romance Languages.