Shiraz Bayjoo: Searching for Libertalia
20 October 2025
Searching for Libertalia explores Madagascar’s history of piracy with the story of the fictional hero-like figure of Captain Misson, slave trading by the French East India Company throughout the 17th to 19th century, and the Malagasy fight for independence from France’s Vichy government during the Second World War. The interlinking between these distinct narratives reveals the repetitive nature of history. Searching for Libertalia underlines liberation and anti-colonial movements in African post-colonies and their relation to contemporary questions of race and identity.
Watch the full film until 3 June 2020 here online:
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Written and Directed by Shiraz Bayjoo
Narration David Furlong + Fanny Dulin
(Exchange Theatre)
Videography and Editing Shiraz Bayjoo
Sound Editing and Mastering
Larry Achiampong + Shiraz Bayjoo
Research Support by
Prof. Megan Vaughan, Zeenat Nagree,
Cindy Sissokho, Jessica Harrington,
Jean Marie Chelin
Development Supported by
Christine Barthe + Musee du Quai Branly
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery,
Emily Butler + Open Source,
Christine Eyene + Casablanca Biennial,
Ed Cross Fine Art
Special Thanks to
Marie France + Vijay, Ile Saint Marie
Olivier Fournajoux, Masoala National Park
Arzmand + Sarah Bayjoo
Cindy Sissokho + Ed Cross
Commissioned by New Art Exchange 2019.
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