Every year, The Royal African Society brings African Film to London for a week. Much to our delight, for 10 days we are treated to beautiful films from around the continent. I went for the first time last year but unfortunately was only able to catch one film. Everything else was #soldout.
That wasn't going to happen to me this year!
On the 9th November 2013, a group of friends and I decided to investigate what Senegalese cinema was like. The British Film Institute were showing both Borom Sarret by Ousmane Sembene and Tey by Alain Gomis.
Embarrassingly...I have never heard of Ousmane Sembene but no dismay! Part of this reason I started this blog was to find out more about all things African! (Look out for my future pieces about some of our great leaders).
Anyway....Ousmane Sembene was a Senegalese film director, producer and writer. He was born in
January 1923 and died in June 2007. Whilst researching him I discovered that Sembene initially wrote fiction (some of his work include Le Mandat, Précédé de Vehi-Ciosane and Le Docker Noir. He decided it would be easier to connect with a wider African audience through film. He was therefore able to transfer many of his stories to the big screen #impressive
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| Ousmane Sembene |
"What do you think of the big campaigns going on now in Britain: Make Poverty History, Live 8?
I think they're fake, and I think African heads of state who buy into that idea are liars. The only way for us to come out of poverty is to work hard. Poverty means begging throughout the world".
"I think cinema is needed throughout Africa, because we are lagging behind in the knowledge of our own history. I think we need to create a culture that is our own".
Yesterday we saw his film Borom Sarret which was shot in . Luckily for you its on You Tube. How would I describe it? A funny but sad story of someones true reality of life in Senegal. It's short, beautifully filmed and thought provoking. It's straight to the point and does not dilly dally. I laughed many times throughout the film What do you think? Check it out and let me know!
The second film that was screened was Alain Gomis' Tey. It is a film that focuses on a man called Satche's who had one day left on Earth. WOW WOW and WOW. This film really played with my mind. I really don't want to give too much away as you need to see it! Satche, the main character is played by Saul Williams. A beautiful chocolate African American actor. Satche wakes up, pretty uncomfortably. His eyes are wide, he feels his body to see if he's really there and he looks around taking in pictures of his family and himself in his younger days. He leaves his room and is greeted by a crowd of mourning family members. They prepare him for his imminent death and he spends the day celebrating the simple joys of life...laughter, food, friendship, and love. Sarcasm, happiness, sadness and fear are constant emotions I felt throughout this film. The pictures are stunning as were the sounds. There are places where silence is used very effectively. The film does not have a clear ending so the viewers are forced to make their own conclusions of the story.
The film was followed by a Q and A session with Gomis which encouraged discussions about living in the present, perspectives of the story and Gomis' background.
Later in the day I wanted more so booked a ticket to see Mother of George in Hackney Picture House. Mother of George is a film about a newly wed Nigerian Couple who are having trouble conceiving. Now if you are from an African background you will understand the amount of family aggro this can cause The intensity of this film made me forget I was even thirsty. I didn't want to leave to buy water! Can you imagine. Again I can only give you the bear minimal because I want you see the film! It was drama filled and gasp provoking film which I thoroughly enjoyed.
After my film fest Africa day I went to the after party. DJ French Kiss and DJ Fade 2 played us a selection of afro music. Serious good vibes and swag all around.
#lovedit
Looking forward to next year!
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