Kossula: Last of the Takkoi Slaves

About This Movie

So 'Kossula: Last of the Takkoi Slaves,' a five-minute silent film from 1928, captures a weighty moment in history. It stars Kossula, or Cudjo Lewis, the last known survivor of the Middle Passage, and that alone gives it a haunting quality. The atmosphere is somber, and the pacing, though brisk given the runtime, feels deliberate—drawing you into Kossula's life and the history he represents. There’s a rawness to the practical effects, if you can call them that, given the era; it’s more about the authenticity of the man himself. You can sense the emotional depth in Kossula’s performance, making this a distinctive glimpse into a painful past, not just a relic of cinema.

This film is quite rare, as it was made in an era where documentary-style narratives were not the norm in cinema. Collectors often seek it not just for its historical significance but also for its unique place in the evolution of silent film. There are very few known copies in circulation, making it a notable item for anyone interested in early American cinema or African American history.