Celebrating 100 Years Celebrating 100 Years The Atlanta African Film Society and the West End Performing Arts Center co-sponsored a presentation of "Body and Soul" and "Song of Freedom", both starring Paul Robeson, in Celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. Robeson was an internationally acclaimed, multi-disciplinary artist, who sang, acted, and enriched the cultural life of American society for generations. Robeson's career helped the development of Black independent filmmaking when he starred in Oscar Micheaux's production of "Body and Soul" (1924), and "Emperor Jones" (1933). During the 1940's, his performance of Othello held the record for the longest running show on Broadway. During his life, Robeson won many awards for his passion for social justice and his artistic achievements.