Hollywood Africans

Hosted by award-winning journalist Barbara Angopa and filmmaker Amaka Ugwunkwo, Hollywood Africans reframes the lives of misunderstood characters in the movies.

Silenced, underestimated, objectified, infantilised and vilified Africans on film get their podcast remake.

Barbara and Amaka weave in their personal experience, current affairs and social context to reimagine motives and devise alternative plots.

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Hollywood Africans

Captain Phillips

February 18, 2026 • Barbara Angopa and Amaka Ugwunkwo • Season 1 • Episode 1

0:00 | 32:15

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Somali pirates steal the show in the 2013 film Captain Phillips.

It tells the true life story of the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama off the coast off Somalia. Tom Hanks stars in the titular role and Barked Abdi as the pirate leader Abduwali Muse.

But does the film ignore what's driving the attempt of the high-stakes heist?

Welcome to Hollywood Africans, the podcast which reframes, recasts and remakes Africa and Africans in the movies.

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Hosts: Barbara Angopa and Amaka Ugwunkwo

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Hollywood Africans podcast reframes Africa and Africans in the movies.