About Screening of African Apocalypse
Armed with a copy of Joseph Conrad’s seminal work, Heart of Darkness, British-Nigerian student Femi Nylander goes in search of the meaning and legacy of colonial horror in West Africa. African Apocalypse follows the trail of a 19th-century French colonial military commander Paul Voulet, who burned his way across Africa a the very moment Conrad wrote his book. Tens of thousands were massacred in the name of imperial domination. With communities still devastated by a century-old atrocity speaking out for the first time, Nylander begins to question his own sense of belonging.
The director of African Apocalypse, Robert Lemkin, is participating in an event after this screening, discussing the enduring influence of Joseph Conrad. More information and tickets here.
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Rob Lemkin
Director Rob Lemkin is a documentary film maker, author of over 50 films for television, cinema and gallery settings.
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His award-winning African Apocalypse (2020), a non-fiction retelling of Conrad’s Heart of Darkness focuses on colonial conquest of Niger. Enemies of the People (2009), about the Killing Fields of Cambodia, won over thirty awards including the Sundance Jury Prize, the Emmy and was also shortlisted for the Oscars. He founded LemKino Pictures / Old Street Films and previously ran Channel 4’s Independent Investigations Unit winning 5 Royal Television Society Awards and a BAFTA. In 2025 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Northumbria University at Newcastle.
Venue and bar opening times
This is an in-person only event in the British Library Knowledge Centre.
The Knowledge Centre and bar open from 16.30.
Please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk
Concessions
There are a range of concessions available. These include discounts for British Library Members, half-price tickets for students and under 26s, free entry for carers as well as a number of other concessions.
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