LIMITED SERIES
This is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection Sat, Feb 3 | 7:30pm | TMT
mining accident arrives, plunging Mantoa into existential turmoil. Isolated by grief, Mantoa becomes detached from God, her village, and reality, longing for death to reunite with her kin and seeking solace in the local cemetery. However, impending construction threatens the village and the cemetery’s sanctity. Defying this fate, Mantoa unites her community in a spirited resistance, etching her legacy. In the film’s poignant final moments, her legend crystallizes, a testament to her indomitable spirit. DIRECTED/WRITTEN BY: Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese. WITH: Mary Twala Mhlongo, Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Makhaola Ndebele, Tseko Monaheng. 2019. 120 min. South Africa/Italy/USA/Lesotho. Color. Southern Sotho. DCP.
ECHOES
OF AFRICA
FEB 1–9, 2024
Timbuktu Thu, Feb 8 | 7:30pm | TMT
In the hushed streets of Timbuktu, vitality has waned; music, laughter, and color have been extinguished. Women dwell as mere silhouettes, overshadowed by pervasive religious extremism. Amid this upheaval, Kidane finds serenity with his family until their tranquility is shattered when his cow’s death leads to an accidental killing. Confronting foreign rulers enforcing rigid Islamic practices, Kidane’s clash unveils a tapestry of defiance. Timbuktu reveals a poignant narrative of resilience, epitomized by the uncertain destiny of a populace’s children. DIRECTED BY: Abderrahmane Sissako. WRITTEN BY: Abderrahmane Sissako, Kessen Tall. WITH: Ibrahim Ahmed dit Pino, Abel Jafri, Toulou Kiki, Layla Walet Mohamed. 2014. 96 min. France/Mauritania/Qatar. Color. French, Arabic, Bambara, English, Songhay, Tamashek. Rated PG-13. DCP.
SAMBIZANGA
Sambizanga preceded by Monangambé Fri, Feb 2 | 7:30pm | TMT Sambizanga
Sarah Maldoror presents a groundbreaking revelation in her work that documents the emergence of Angola’s movement for independence. Drawing from authentic events, Sambizanga portrays the journey of a young lady from the outskirts of Luanda toward the heart of the city in search of her spouse who was apprehended by the Portuguese authorities. This occurrence becomes a catalyst, sparking a nationwide insurrection. Enlisting a cast of non-professional actors, many of whom were active participants in the anti-colonial resistance, this seminal piece pays homage to the pivotal roles played by women in African society. It also underscores the adversities they withstand in the global pursuit of emancipation. DIRECTED BY: Sarah Maldoror. WRITTEN BY: Sarah Maldoror, Mário Pinto de Andrade, Maurice Pons. WITH: Elisa Andrade, Domingos de Oliveira, Jean M’Vondo. 1972. 102 min. Angola/France. Color. Portuguese. DCP.
Embarking on a voyage through time, Echoes of Africa will sweep audiences into Africa’s diverse histories at pivotal junctures. This film series weaves together the tapestry of African experiences, triumphs, dreams, and realities. From poignant narratives of unwavering love and resilience to gripping sagas of individual victory, Echoes of Africa presents a vivid mosaic of African perspectives, capturing the enduring resonance of its cinema. With spellbinding stories like The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun (1999), Le Franc (1994), and Monangambé (1968), audiences can anticipate an enthralling cinematic odyssey that leaves them stirred, enlightened, and intimately connected with Africa’s vibrant essence. Programmed and notes by guest programmer Mo Abudu.
Atlantiques Mati Diop’s debut short Atlantiques acts as a precursor to her acclaimed feature, Atlantics (2019), addressing issues of migration and the hardships faced by young individuals in Senegal. A group of young men with aspirations for better lives convenes on a beach with the intention of embarking on a transoceanic journey to Europe by boat. Each of them harbors an apprehensive longing for a life beyond the borders of their homeland, one characterized by greater opportunities and prosperity. DIRECTED BY: Mati Diop. WITH: Ouli Seck, Serigne Seck, Alpha Diop, Cheikh M’Baye. 2009. 15 min. France/Senegal. Color. Wolof. DCP. Le Franc A quick-witted yet destitute musician purchases a lottery ticket after his landlady confiscates his musical instruments as payment for overdue rent. A peculiar encounter with a stranger provides him with what are believed to be winning numbers. To symbolize his potential future wealth, the musician attaches the ticket to his door. When the lottery ticket does turn out to be a winner he must undertake an arduous journey, carrying his door for miles in order to lay claim to his newfound riches. DIRECTED/WRITTEN BY: Djibril Diop Mambéty. WITH: Madieye Massamba Dieye, Aminata Fall, Demba Bâ. 1994. 46 min. Senegal/Switzerland/France. Color. Wolof. 4K DCP.
Preceded by Monangambé
During a prison visit, a woman confides a promise to her husband, setting the stage for an unexpected chain of events. Tragically, a sentinel’s misconstrued perception ignites a calamitous sequence, subjecting the couple to the harrowing ordeals of interrogation and torment. This narrative, cowritten by the filmmaker’s then-husband, Mário Pinto de Andrade, poignantly illustrates the consequences of a misread intention, unraveling lives through a cruel twist of fate, underscored by music from the influential Art Ensemble of Chicago. DIRECTED BY: Sarah Maldoror. WRITTEN BY: Sarah Maldoror, Serge Michel, Mário Pinto de Andrade. WITH: Carlos Pestana, Noureddine Dreis, Mohamed Zinet, Athmane Sabi. 1968. 16 min. Angola. B&W. French. DCP. This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection Sat, Feb 3 | 7:30pm | TMT In a mountainous village in Lesotho, an aging widow, Mantoa, eagerly anticipates her son’s return from a South African mine for Christmas. Tragedy strikes as news of his
VAYA
Vaya Fri, Feb 9 | 7:30pm | TMT
Vaya follows three strangers boarding a Johannesburg- bound train, united by their quests for family assistance. However, betrayed by those they sought, they become trapped and isolated in the city. The film intricately weaves three plots, converging in a compelling narrative of survival and dignity amid urban challenges. The first story introduces a man seeking a job from his influential cousin, only to discover he must commit murder. The second story follows a young man striving to reclaim his father’s body from his urban “city family.” Lastly, a young woman’s journey reveals her aunt’s hidden life and forces a fateful decision between dreams and responsibility. DIRECTED BY: Akin Omotoso. WRITTEN BY: Craig Freimond, Tshabalira Lebakeng, Antony Mafela, David Majoka, Madoda Nthuli, Harriet Perlman, Robbie Thorpe. WITH: Mncedisi Shabangu, Sihle Xaba, Sibusiso Msimang, Zimkhitha Nyoka. 2016. 115 min. South Africa. Color. Zulu. DCP.
THE LITTLE GIRL WHO SOLD THE SUN
The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun with Atlantiques and Le Franc Thu, Feb 1 | 7:30pm | TMT The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun
This Senegalese film tells the story of a young girl with a physical disability named Sili, who sells newspapers on the streets of Dakar, Senegal. Sili’s determination and courage in the face of adversity make her a symbol of resilience and hope. The film was director Djibril Diop Mambéty’s final feature and is known for its powerful portrayal of social issues. DIRECTED/WRITTEN BY: Djibril Diop Mambéty. WITH: Lissa Baléra, Taïrou M’Baye, Oumou Samb, Moussa Baldé. 1999. 45 min. Senegal/ France/Switzerland/Germany. Color. Wolof, French. 4K DCP.
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