BAMcinématek presents FilmAfrica, the cinematic companion to BAM’s 39th annual DanceAfrica
Company:
BAMcinématek
BAMcinématek presents FilmAfrica, the cinematic companion to BAM’s 39th annual DanceAfrica,
May 25—30
The Wall Street Journal is the title sponsor of BAM Rose Cinemas and BAMcinématek.
Brooklyn, NY/Apr 21, 2016 — From Wednesday, May 25 through Monday, May 30, BAMcinématek presents FilmAfrica, the cinematic companion to BAM’s DanceAfrica festival.
FilmAfrica features the best fiction and documentary films from Ghana, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, and beyond, with a special focus on Senegal, the home of this year’s visiting dance company. The 2016 edition includes Senegalese features Under the Starry Sky (2013—May 29), Dyana Gaye’s richly-realized exploration of contemporary emigration and Jason Silverman and Samba Gadjigo’s epic biopic on the father of African cinema Sembene! (2015—May 28). The screening of Sembene! will be followed with a Q&A by the filmmakers. FilmAfrica is co-presented by the New York African Film Festival.
A special event co-presented by the Dakar Vert Environmental Film Festival will feature three works on current-day environmental issues in Africa: Nicolas Cisse’s Mbeubeuss, le terreau de l’espoir (2015—May 25), Simona Risi’s Mbeubeuss (2007—May 25), and Cosima Dannoritzer’s The E-Waste Tragedy (2014—May 25). The debut feature by Nicholas Cisse, Mbeubeuss, le terreau de l’espoir introduces a poet named Ramagélissa as he uncovers an abandoned infant in a Dakar landfill. Playing along with Mbeubeuss, le terreau de l’espoir is Mbeubeuss (2007). Mbeubeuss follows a young boy as he earns his living in a Dakar dumping ground. Following the screening of Mbeubeuss, join a panel of leading American and African environmental experts in a discussion about environmental issues facing Africa today. The E-Waste Tragedy (2014) exposes illegal dumping of electronic waste from around the world.
Yared Zelek’s “tremendous ethnographic debut” (The Guardian), Lamb (2015—May 26 & 27) is the heartwarming story of Ephraim, who having been sent to live with distant relatives after his mother’s death, finds a friend in a farm animal. Bazi Gete’s Red Leaves (2014—May 27) is the story of a 74-year-old man who struggles to find his place in the world after the passing of his wife. Cholo (2014—May 27) introduces two stepbrothers who despite their physical differences share a captivating chemistry as they vie for their parent’s attention. Taking its name from the convergence of the Sudanese Blue and White Niles, The Longest Kiss (2013—May 28) follows six young Sudanese searching for a place to call 'home' as their country prepares for the south’s secession. Screening with The Longest Kiss is Marcia Juzga’s The Prophecy (2015), which provides an inside look at photographer Fabrice Monteiro’s project unmasking Senegalese environmental issues. In a similar vein is Afripedia (2014—May 27), a collaborative documentary project profiling a new generation of African artists. Afripedia and The Longest Kiss will be followed with Q&As by the filmmakers.
As part of the BAMkids programming, FilmAfrica presents Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005—May 29). Based on West African folk tales, this Michel Ocelot and Benedicte Galup directed animated feature proves that spirit, not size, is key to overcoming odds. Closing out the series is Dare Fasasi’s Head Gone (2014—May 29) and Moussa Touré’s TGV (1998—May 29). The comedy Head Gone chronicles a group of psychiatric patients mistakenly set lose on a community and the subsequent aftermath. The feature TGV exposes the risky bond a bus driver and his passengers share on a dangerous bus trip to the Guinea border.
[Pictured: Marcia Juzga's The Prophecy]
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