A Panther in Africa

On October 30, 1969, Pete O’Neal, a young Black Panther in Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested for transporting a gun across state lines. One year later, O’Neal fled the charge, and for over 30 years, he has lived in Tanzania, one of the last American exiles from an era when activists considered themselves at war with the U.S. government. Today, this community organizer confronts very different challenges and finds himself living between two worlds – America and Africa, his radical past and his uncertain future. WATCH HERE.

Role: Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor
Grants: ITVS, POV, The Jerome Foundation, NYSCA
Distribution: P.O.V., Global Voices, Alexander street
Released: 2004

“O’Neal’s searing honesty makes A Panther in Africa a rewarding documentary offering a unique perspective on race and national loyalties.”
-Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Former Black Panther Pete O’Neal offers pointed reflections on the state of racism in the United States, as viewed from a self-imposed 30-year exile.”
-The Boston Globe

“By the end, you’ll feel you’re on intimate terms with the charming Pete O’Neal, the embattlement of Tanzania, and the pain of political exile.”
- TV Guide

“a tale of personal redemption…About a man who lost his chance at the American dream, only to find other dreams out there worth pursuing.”
- kansas city star