THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
Arts & Entertainment Film/TV pg 15 | Music pg 17 | Food pg 20 | Jazz pg 21
May 12, 2022 - May 18, 2022 • 15
Pg. 18 Your Stars
Film at Lincoln Center, NY African Film Fest return May 12-17 “Freda” (Courtesy photo)
By MARGRIRA Special to the AmNews There is an African proverb that says: “Examine what is said, not who is speaking,” and after reviewing the synopsis of the movies being screened at the Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF)—May 12 to 17— it seems that this proverb is a running theme throughout the films kicking off the 29th year of the festival. This year’s festival is a mixture of in-person screening at FLC theaters coupled with select virtual screenings. The films chosen focus on a myriad of strong themes under the banner Visions of Freedom, presenting diverse and interconnected notions of freedom pertinent to Africa, the diaspora, and the world at large while recalling activism of the past and ushering in new anthems of the future to embrace a united front for liberation and expression. “The events of the recent past have illuminated how interconnected our worlds are. Through it all and across the globe, the collective vision of freedom has come into sharp focus,” said AFF Executive Director and NYAFF Founder Mahen Bonetti. “This year’s festival takes a look at the past, while capturing the present pulse and looking forward to envision a brighter future.” “Knowledge is a garden. If it isn’t cultivated, you can’t harvest it”—wise words and can accurately paint the opening night New York premiere of Gessica Généus’ feature directorial debut “Freda,” framed by the ever-present violence and dangers surrounding a family’s life in Haiti and their longing to escape it. Tanzanian filmmaker Amil Shivji’s Centerpiece selection “Tug of War” spotlights a rebellious young revolutionary who falls for an Indian-Zanzibari girl escaping an arranged marriage.
and arming viewers to take up the mantle of change. The event takes place in the amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. NYAFF will present a Town Hall at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m., featuring African and diaspora
Two festival features are U.S. premieres: Charles Castella’s “Abderrahmane Sissako, un cinéaste à l'Opéra,” chronicling acclaimed director Sissako’s unique task of creating an opera about the "The Gravedigger's Wife" (Courtesy photo) history of Africa at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with music composed by Damon artists displaying and discussing work that Alban, leader of the bands Blur and Go- explores the festival’s theme Visions of rillaz; and “Ayaanle,” directed by Ahmed Freedom. Participants include hair Farah, which follows a series of unlike- stylist and Hair by Susy founder Susan ly events befalling the title character, who Oludele; dancer, lawyer, actor and pigoes from optimistic actor to the most anist Justin Lynch; singer, songwriter, wanted man in Kenya. The festival is also and international DJ Nikki Kynard; and proud to host the U.S. premieres of two actress and director of the Opening Night short films: Johanna Makabi’s “Notre mé- film, “Freda,” Gessica Généus. moire,” featuring “Black Girl” star MbissAn interactive digital art exhibition, ine Thérèse Diop’s reflections on being a featuring work by the artist Zainab Aliyu, Black actress in the 1960s; and “Shaka - which celebrates the festival theme will iNkosi Yamakhosi” by Manzini Zungu and run in the Amphitheater from May 12-17. Nick Cloete, a profound tale of resilience Tickets go on sale April 29 at noon ET. depicting the coming-of-age of a great In-theater ticket prices are $15 for the warrior and king, Shaka Zulu. general public; $12 for students, seniors, Other highlights include the New York and persons with disabilities; and $10 for premiere of “Juwaa,” Nganji Mutiri’s drama FLC members. See more and save with about a mother and son reflecting on the the $59 All-Access Pass or the $25 Student events of a traumatic night many years All-Access Pass. Tickets for the Opening before; and Aïssa Maïga’s documenta- Night Party in the Frieda and Roy Furman ry “Marcher sur l’eau (Above Water),” Gallery in the Walter Reade Theater are following the process of convincing an $200 and can be purchased at africanfilmNGO to build a well in a Nigerien village, ny.org starting Friday, April 22. saving many residents from having to Virtual Cinema prices are $10 for the travel several kilometers each day to gather general public; $8 for FLC members. See what exists 200 meters below their feet. more and save with the 4-Film Bundle “Cinema of Liberation: From Inception for just $20 (approx. 50% savings!). and Execution to Exhibition,” a master The festival continues at Maysles Docuclass by veteran Ethiopian filmmak- mentary Center in Harlem from May 19 to er, Haile Gerima, on Saturday, May 14, at 22 and culminates at the Brooklyn Acade11:30 a.m. will teach the role of film in my of Music under the name Film Africa propelling forth freedom movements from May 27 to June 2 during Dance Africa.
Here are a few stands-outs to consider Centerpiece “Tug of War / Vuta n’kuvute” New York Premiere Amil Shivji, 2021, Tanzania/South Africa/Germany/ Qatar, 92m English and Swahili with English subtitles Denge, a young freedom fighter, meets Yasmin, an Indian-Zanzibari woman, in the middle of the night as she is on her way to be married. Passion and revolution ensue in this coming-of-age political love story set in the final years of British colonial Zanzibar. Preceded by: “Notre mémoire” U.S. Premiere Johanna Makabi, 2021, France, 12m French with English subtitles Mbissine Thérèse Diop played the starring role in Ousmane Sembène’s landmark first feature, 1966’s “Black Girl (La Noire de…).” Today, she looks back on her experience as a Black actress in the 1960s. Friday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. (Q&A with Amil Shivji) Monday, May 16 at 2 p.m. “The Gravedigger’s Wife” Khadar Ayderus Ahmed, 2021, Somalia/France/Germany/Finland, 83m Somali with English subtitles Guled and Nasra are a loving couple, living on the outskirts of Djibouti City with their teenage son, Mahad. However, they are facing difficult times: Nasra urgently needs an expensive surgery to treat a chronic kidney disease. Guled is already working hard as a gravedigger to make ends meet: how can they find the money to save Nasra and keep the family together? Virtual—May 13-17, 2022 “Mother of Moeketsi / Mma Moeketsi” Reabetswe Moeti, 2018, South Africa, 25m New York Premiere Sotho with English subtitles Based on true events, this film recounts a 2012 massacre in which a group of South African mine workers went on a wage-increase strike, leading to a national tragedy in which 34 miners were brutally killed by the police. Master Class with Haile Gerima A master class led by renowned Ethiopian filmmaker, Haile Gerima, will take place on Saturday, May 14 at 11:30 a.m. in the Elinor Bunin Munroe Amphitheater. The class, titled “Cinema of Liberation: From Inception and Execution to Exhibition,” will center on the content, form, and aesthetics of liberation cinema, empowering one’s particular narrative logic and the construction of audiences for partnership in liberation. Saturday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.filmlinc. org and follow @filmlinc on Twitter and Instagram; and www.africanfilmny.org, and @africanfilmfest on Twitter and Instagram.
