African Film Festival

1/27/06 to 2/17/06

  • Delwende, January 27

  • Upcoming
    Films
  • Upcoming
    Events
  • Selected
    Objects
  • Past
    Films
  • Past
    Events

Past Films

  • Dôlé

    • Friday, February 17 19:00

    A thoughtful young man moves from skipping class to robbery in this "400 Blows in Gabon" (California Newsreel), set in a hip-hop-ruled contemporary urban Africa. "A droll film that knows how to turn the tragic into candid satire."-Libération

  • Niiwam

    • Friday, February 17 20:50

    Introduced by Alassane Paap Sow. A fisherman journeys from his small Senegalese village to the big city in search of aid for his dying child in a "simple but moving portrait of a modern tragedy" (London Film Festival). Based on the novel by Ousmane Sembene.

  • The Hero

    • Friday, February 10 19:00

    Introduced by Cornelius Moore. A wounded veteran of Angola's murderous 30-year civil war returns to civilian life in this nuanced story of a man, and a country, seeking reconstruction. Winner, World Cinema Dramatic Competition, Sundance Film Festival.

  • New Voices from Africa

    • Friday, February 10 21:15

    Four films from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Guinea, and Burkina Faso offer a hard-hitting, provocative introduction to current African cinema.

  • The Golden Ball

    • Saturday, February 4 16:00

    A young boy must overcome poverty, the police, and rival teammates in this uplifting tale of soccer, Guinean style. Bring the family.

  • The Colonial Misunderstanding

    • Friday, February 3 21:05

    Introduced by LaToya Beck. The connection between Christian evangelism and European colonialism is exposed in Jean-Marie Teno's documentary about Germany's activities in Namibia, including their first use of concentration camps. "[Teno is] surely one of the freshest talents in African cinema today."-Film Comment

  • Sisters in Law

    • Friday, February 3 19:00

    Two female judges in Cameroon lay down the law in this inspiring documentary from the director of Divorce, Iranian Style and The Day I Will Never Forget. "These women are brave, fierce, and ultimately joyous in their support for each other."-Vancouver International Film Festival

  • Al'lèèssi . . . An African Actress (Free Screening!)

    • Thursday, February 2 17:30

    Introduced by Lisa Marie Rollins. The history of African cinema as told through the rebellious life of Zalika Souley, the first professional African actress. "Warm and revelatory."-L.A. Film Festival

  • Delwende

    • Friday, January 27 19:00

    A daughter searches for her mother, accused of witchcraft and chased out of her village, in this feminist cry against injustice and sexual oppression from Burkina Faso. Based on a true story, it's "a fine example of issue-based African cinema" (Variety), comparable in emotional power to Ousmane Sembene's Moolaadé.