From "The Legends Of Madagascar"
This past weekend kicked off the 20th edition of the African Diaspora International Film Festival in NYC. Not to worry if you're off to a late start– the series runs until Sunday, December 15th. In the coming days we'll mission to the festival's various Manhattan (and one Queens) locations– including The Thalia Cinema at Symphony Space, Quad Cinema, The Cowin Center and Chapel at Teachers College, Columbia University and the Black Spectrum Theatre in Queens. The following are ten screenings that we're looking forward to at this year's ADIFF.
Dehanza Rogers' short film tells the story of Ndizeye (played by Danielle Deadwyler), a 20 year-old Kenyan woman supporting herself in a small southern town (presumably in Georgia) as well as her family who remains at a refugee camp in Kenya. Whilst Ndizeye rekindles a romantic flame (played by OKA favorite Gbenga Akinnagbe) the family she has not seen in five years arrives at her doorstep.
When: Wed. Dec. 4th, 8PM (Chapel); Shown along with "The Kampala Story"
We caught up with South African filmmaker Bryan Little just over a year ago to discuss his feature length documentary, which follows the journeys of several street-dance-crews in SA's townships as they prepare for the Red Bull Beat Battle. Now The African Cypher is set to make its NYC premiere at ADIFF.
When: Fri. Dec. 6, 7:30PM (Cowin Center– Broadway & 120th)
The musical documentary follows beloved Senegalese pop icon Youssou N’Dour– who we once reported was running for president– on the road as he sets out to trace the musical trail left by slaves and the jazz music that resulted. Joined by pianist Moncef Genoud, N’Dour travels the globe with the goal being to arrive back with a jazz repertoire of his own to perform at a concert on the Gorée island– the very symbol of the slave trade.
When: Fri. Dec 6, 3PM (Quad); Wed. Dec. 11, 9:20PM (Quad); Sat. Dec. 14, 2PM (Black Spectrum)
Youths Of Shasha (US premiere)
Emanuele Cicconi's documentary follows the young multi-ethnic DIY music community of Shashamane, Ethiopia– a piece of land that Haile Selassie gave to all Rastafarians who decided to return to Africa. The film is part of a larger project to establish Shashamane's first music school and recording studio.
When: Sun. Dec. 8th, 5PM (Cowin); Shown along with "Nishan (Medal Of Honor)"
Legends of Madagascar (Malagasy Mankany)
Haminiaina Ratovoarivony's adventure/comedy tells the story of three sociology students who set out by car from Madagascar's capital city to the countryside when one of them learns their father is deathly ill.
When: Sun. Dec. 8th, 5:30PM (Quad); Tues. Dec. 10th, 8:30PM (Quad)
Mali's Festival au Desert is the centerpiece of this music documentary– a look at the festival's rise and uncertain future from the perspective of co-founder/director Manny Ansar, the musician community, and festival attendees from around the world. Expect appearances from OKA favorites including Tinariwen and Vieux Farka Touré.
When: Sun. Dec. 8th, 3PM (Quad Cinema); Tues. Dec. 10th, 8:30PM (Chapel)
Algeria's 2013 Oscar entry (though it did not make the shortlist), Zabana! is the meticulously researched account of the life of Algerian freedom fighter Ahmed Zabana– whose execution in 1956 by French colonial authorities sparked the Battle of Algiers. The historically accurate drama's 2012 release marked the 50th anniversary of Algerian independence.
When: Tues. Dec. 3rd, 8:30PM (Chapel); Mon. Dec. 9th, 9:40PM (Quad)
ADIFF offers one more chance for New York to catch Nigerian filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu's second feature. This year's toast of the town tells the story of "Adenike (Danai Gurira), who has come to the U.S. to join her fiancee Ayodele (Iaach De Bankolé), a restaurant-owner in Brooklyn. Charting her shift from hopeful arrivant into a woman determined to hold on to the traditions and values of home by any means necessary, the film adds to a growing body of émigre stories by artists negotiating life in the U.S. (the plot summary reads like an E.C. Osondu story)."
–From OKA's Derica Shields' Sundance write-up.
When: Sun. Dec. 15th, 5:30PM (Thalia)
Moussa Toure’s stunningly-shot Senegalese drama tells the saga of a retired boat captain who reluctantly agrees to lead a group of 30 men and women towards Europe via the Canary Islands.
When: Fri. Dec. 6th, 1PM (Quad;) Sun. Dec. 8th, 1PM (Quad); Sat. Dec. 14th, 4PM (Black Spectrum)
Tango Negro, The African Roots Of Tango
Part of "Afro-Latino Night" at the festival, Angolan filmmaker Dom Pedro's documentary explores the "Africanness" of tango and the question of how Africa played a role in the creation of tango– a dance which formed as a reflection of the social life of slaves taken to South America.
When: Fri. Dec. 13th, 8:30PM (Cowin Center, Teachers College); Shown along with "Candombe"