Paul Robeson

Eisenstein's interest in African culture and his sympathy for the fate of African Americans

On 23^rd of December 1934, at the Belorusskii railway station, Sergei Eisenstein met Paul Robeson – the famous actor, singer and philologist. Eisenstein had succeeded in having Robeson invited to the USSR. He hoped that he would not only give concerts, but would also play General Dessalines in ‘The Black Consul’. This was a film project Eisenstein had been planning about the "black revolution" in Haiti in the 18th century. The story’s protagonist was the leader of the rebels, Toussaint Louverture, who was treacherously murdered by Napoleon Bonaparte. Eisenstein was not allowed to film the "Black Consul".

Already in 1930-1931, Eisenstein wanted to make a film about the Haitian revolution in America: "Black Majesty" based on the novel by John Vandercook. The film‘s story takes place during  he second phase of the revolution: after the murder of their leader the former slaves negotiate with the whites government. The tyrant Henri-Christophe becomes the selfproclaimed king of Haiti. This was the part Eisenstein had intended for Paul Robeson.

Eisenstein wrote that this film would be:  "A tragedy about the decline of a revolutionary leader turning into a despot".  But at that time it was impossible to make such a film, neither in America nor in the USSR.

Three years later, Eisenstein intended to cast Robeson in a film about the Spanish Civil War. His part was the one of a Moroccan soldier who had deserted General Franco's army to join the Republican side. But this project too, remained unrealized.

Eisenstein was also dreaming to make a film about Pushkin. He wanted to invite Robeson to play the great Russian poet's Ethiopian great-grandfather.

In Eisenstein's apartment several objects reflect his friendship with the African-American actor: his portrait with a dedication, books Robeson sent to Moscow, and a series of records with Paul Robeson's recordings of spirituals and songs.