THE CEMETERY OF CINEMA, a debut documentary by Guinean filmmaker Thierno Souleymane Diallo, embarks on a captivating journey to uncover the enigma of “Mouramani,” a 1953 film by fellow Guinean Mamadou Touré. Revered as the first film by a Black French-speaking director and a trailblazer in African cinema, the existence and content of “Mouramani” remain […]
Author: Tambay A. Obenson
Berlinale Briefs: A GOLDEN LIFE, Dangers and Dreams of Burkinabe Youth
A GOLDEN LIFE is a debut documentary by Burkinabè filmmaker Boubacar Sangaré, who follows the lives of young gold miners in his native country. The film focuses on 16-year-old Bolo, who works in a 100-metre-deep shaft with his friends, hoping to find gold and a better future. Also introduced are Missa and Dramane, two younger […]
Berlinale Briefs: DISCO BOY, Fever Dream Triptych
DISCO BOY, the first feature film from Italian director Giacomo Abbruzzese, is a captivating blend of reality and fantasy, offering a bold and striking exploration of identity, belonging, and transformation. Franz Rogowski stars as Aleksei, a Belarusian wanderer who enlists in the French Foreign Legion in search of a new beginning and sense of self. […]
Berlinale 2023 Briefs: THE SURVIVAL OF KINDNESS, In the Silence, Strength
“The Survival of Kindness,” directed by Rolf de Heer, emerges as a confounding yet captivating neo-western, largely buoyed by the remarkable performance of Congolese actress Mwajemi Hussein. In the film, Hussein does the heavy lifting, delivering a powerful performance that aligns with the director’s tradition of crafting stories with minimal dialogue, relying heavily on physical […]
Berlinale Briefs: AI: AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE, Challenging the Dominant Narratives
AI: AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE is a captivating and stimulating essay film that explores the connections between African rituals of possession and artificial intelligence. The film, directed by Manthia Diawara, a renowned scholar and filmmaker, is a visual adaptation of his book of the same name, which was commissioned by Gluon, a platform for art and science collaboration. […]
Berlinale 2023 Briefs: KILL BOKSOON, A Mother’s Fight
“Kill Boksoon,” directed by Byun Sung-hyun, is a captivating entry in the action-thriller genre. The film stars the renowned Jeon Do-Yeon, playing the complex character of Gil Boksoon, a top-tier assassin and a single mother to her teenage daughter, Jae-young, portrayed by Kim Si-A. Set against the backdrop of Seoul, the film delves into the […]
Berlinale 2023 Briefs: ALL THE COLOURS OF THE WORLD ARE BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE, Love and Self-Discovery in Nigeria
“All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White” is a poignant coming-of-age film set against the backdrop of a Nigeria that is itself grappling with its own coming of age. The film tenderly explores themes often considered taboo in Nigerian society, providing a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply resonant. Central […]
KONGI’S HARVEST: How Ossie Davis Met Francis Oladele — the Father of Nigerian Cinema — and Translated the “Pure Africanity” of Wole Soyinka’s Play into American Cinematic Terms
Watch a 2002 interview with Davis, during which he talked about working with pioneer Francis Oladele on the film.
Djibril Diop Mambéty at 78 and TOUKI BOUKI at 50
Happy birthday Djibril Diop Mambéty whose feature debut, TOUKI BOUKI, celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary this year.
Sundance 2023: Feature and Short Films by African and African Diaspora Filmmakers
Might any follow in the footsteps of 2022 Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize winner, “Nanny”?