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 […]
Tag: Berlin 2023
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 […]