The Museum Rietberg in Zürich, Switzerland, is hosting an exhibition titled “In Dialogue with Benin – Art, Colonialism and Restitution” from August 23, 2024, to February 16, 2025. The exhibition explores the intricate history and artistic heritage of the Kingdom of Benin, located in what is now Edo State, in southern Nigeria. It comes amid […]
Category: The Latest
Who/What Inspired Ousmane Sembène? Djibril Diop Mambéty? Safi Faye? Ola Balogun? Youssef Chahine? Med Hondo? Tracing the Influences Behind African Cinema’s Pioneers
Tracing the Influences Behind African Cinema’s Pioneers, from Ousmane Sembène to Safi Faye, and others. When discussing the history of film, conversations often revolve primarily around the influences and philosophies of European, American, and occasionally Asian filmmakers. Names like Godard, Truffaut, and Resnais from the French New Wave; Bergman, Fellini, and Antonioni from European art […]
Debunking the “African Films Don’t Sell” Myth
It’s a belief that has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, limiting investment, distribution, and ultimately, the exposure of African cinema to global audiences. However, this assertion needs critical examination and reframing. To be sure, there is some truth to the belief that African films have struggled to achieve broad international commercial success. But this very surface-level […]
How Have Netflix’s Top 2024 African and Diaspora Original Releases Performed?
This is the result of a compilation of weekly data released by Netflix over seven months, from January 1 to August 4, 2024, tracking its weekly reports to construct a comprehensive view of how African and diaspora productions performed on the global platform during this time. It’s important to note that these rankings and viewership […]
Perfect Imperfection: An Akoroko Experimental Open Call for Films
Consider this article as both a call for films and a call to action!
Trailers and Clips (Aug 12-16, 2024)
A roundup of all the trailers and clips received this week.
A Manifesto for Emerging African Filmmakers: The Time Is Now
Now is the time to take risks. With the increasing number of opportunities and platforms available, African filmmakers have a unique opportunity to explore new territories in storytelling and style.
THE MOTHER OF ALL LIES Sets US Theatrical Run (Moroccan Cinema)
In the “dramatic thriller documentary,” a young Moroccan filmmaker uncovers family secrets. El Moudir recreates her neighborhood on a figurine set to confront her family’s hidden truths, particularly those concealed by her grandmother.
MOOLAADÉ at 20: A Continuing Conversation About African Resilience
In “Moolaadé,” Sembène’s criticism of FGM is unequivocal, yet he presents this critique within a framework that respects and even celebrates other aspects of rural African life and culture.
Rebate Policy Patchwork: Africa’s Uneven Landscape
This patchwork of incentives and support initiatives across Africa clarifies one key challenge facing the continent’s filmmaking landscape.