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African History Season To coincide with Black History Month we’ve joined forces with the BFI to celebrate the work of the ground-breaking African filmmaker Ousemane Sembene (1923-2007).
Guelwaar
Xala (The Curse)
Sun 3 Oct • Sul 3 Hyd
Sun 10 Oct • Sul 10 Hyd
Senegal/France/1992/115mins/subtitled/no cert. Dir: Ousemane Sembene
Senegal/1974/123mins/subititled/12A. Dir: Ousemane Sembene.
The body of a Christian activist is mistakenly delivered to Muslims who bury him in a cemetery according to the teachings of Islam. When the error is discovered, the Christians seek to recover ‘their’ body. Some critics have seen this film as a fascinating detective thriller, but it also addresses many of the political questions addressed in Sembene’s other films, such as the credibility of African independence and the role of women in African society. + intro by Yvonne Connike, Film Curator.
Black Girl Sun 17 Oct • Sul 17 Hyd Senegal/1964/60mins/subtitled/no cert. Dir: Ousemane Sembene.
Sembene’s first feature is a seminal film in the history of African cinema. It tells the tragic story of a Senegalese girl employed as a servant to a French couple. Her initial enthusiasm regarding the colonial motherland and employment is quickly transformed, as she finds herself being treated by the family like an object, a non-person, ‘the black girl’. + Borom Sarret (The Cart Driver) Senegal/France/1963/20mins/subtitled/ctba. Dir: Ousemane Sembene.
Sembene examines the impact of economic exploitation on ordinary Senegalese citizens in this early short film. A poor cart driver provides a ‘guided tour’ through modern Dakar and his sense of social marginality.
Guelwaar
Sembene’s satire of the modern African bourgeoisie was heavily censored in Senegal at the time of its release, and it remains a sharp attack on neo-colonialism. The film follows the decline of a self-satisfied, Senegalese businessman who is suddenly struck down with the xala (the curse of impotence).
Ceddo (The Outsiders) Sun 24 Oct • Sul 24 Hyd Senegal/1976/117mins/subtitled/PG. Dir: Ousemane Sembene
Set in Senegal at the end of the 19th century, this film tells the story of the Ceddo people who try to preserve their traditional African culture against the onslaught of Islam, Christianity and the slave trade. As a protest against their forcible conversion to Islam, the Ceddo kidnap the local king’s daughter, sparking a highly symbolic confrontation between the opposing social, political and cultural forces.
SPECIAL EVENT: A Slice Of Fela Sat 30 Oct • Sad 30 Hyd USA/45mins/advised PG. Dir: Bill T Jones.
This look at legendary Afro beat musician and social political icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti features festival performances interspersed with commentary from the man, musicologists and his closest fellow performers. This special event also features exclusive previews from cast members of the Fela! stage musical; and other special guests including Rikki Stein, Fela’s manager for 14 years. Hosted by Yvonne Connike, Film Curator.
Xala