International Studies and Programs

Africa World Documentary Film Festival

 

Africa World Documentary Film Festival

Africa World Documentary Film Festival
Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63112-0040

 Friday, March 1, 2013

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Takeo: A Percussionist with Down Syndrome
Takashi Tokida (76m, Japan)

An inspirational documentary about a young Japanese musician with Down Syndrome. Takeo Niikura has always loved music and socially interacts with people through the power of music. Having attempted several instruments through his development, Takeo had found a love for African drumming after having participated in an African drumming workshop in elementary school. Now 24 years old and with many performances under his belt, Takeo finally achieved his long-held dream by signing up for a drumming workshop in Senegal, the homeland of his beloved instrument. The documentary follows his development as a musician as well as an individual. Takeo’s enthusiasm for music is inspirational, and his journey unforgettable.

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

The Wild West of Namibia
David Whalen (47m, U S A)  

The documentary film explores the desolation of Namibia, the great and eerie Skeleton Coast, the shipwrecks there (specifically the Dunedin Star), the souls of the dead diamond hunters on her shores, and the history of the diamond rush at the turn of the century. Inland discoveries include the elusive hermit Flip Stander, who has lived in the desert among the desert lions. After a surreptitious border crossing into Angola we learn of the Himba people, their matriarchal society, their tragic past, the infamous German General, Lother Von Trotha, who nearly decimated them in what is considered a precursor to the Nazi Genocide, as well as their future struggles in preventing a hydroelectric dam from ruining their lands and way of life.

Holyland
Anna Somershaf (53m, Israel)

'Holyland' tells the story of Solomon, a Pastor of a foreign workers' community from Ghana who reside in Tel-Aviv. Solomon has to function as a father for his community while he is coping with the void created by the loss of his 2 sons: one left behind in Ghana, and the other died in Israel. A visit to Ghana, and a reunion with his eldest son, will bring up the pain and regret that he wouldn't deal with for many years.

One Day After Peace
Erez Laufer, Miri Laufer (86m, South Africa, Israel)

Can the means used to resolve the conflict in South-Africa be applied to the Palestinian-Israeli conflicts? As someone who experienced both conflicts firsthand, Robi Damelin wonders about this. Born in South Africa during the apartheid era, she later lost her son, who was serving with the Israeli Army reserve in the Occupied Territories. At first she attempted to initiate a dialog with the Palestinian who killed her child. When her overtures were rejected she embarked on a journey back to South Africa to learn more about the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission in overcoming years of enmity. This thought-provoking journey, through South Africa past and present and through the cooperation of bereaved Israeli and Palestinian parents shows Robi and the viewers that even from a place of deep personal pain one can see a glimmer of hope and a possibility of a better future.

6:00 – 9:00 PM  

Shokran, Toni
Nahid Toubia (12m, Sudan) 

In September 2011 the African American novelist and Nobel Laureate for literature, Toni Morrison published a letter addressed 'To a Sudanese Woman', in which she expresses her thoughts and feelings about the violations of women as a reflection to a Youtube video of a Sudanese woman being lashed for an unknown moral crime. A young Sudanese woman and her friends gather together to read Toni's letter and decided to respond to Toni Morrison.  They say 'Shokran Toni,’ which means 'Thank You Toni' in Arabic, for bringing the attention of the world to their plight under the fundamentalist Islamic military rule. They take Toni (and the viewers) on a journey around Sudan telling the history of the country and its people, including the recent events of civil war and genocide committed by the regime, which caused the country to divide.

Mbekk Mi
Sophie Bachelier (54m, France)

Mbekke Mi, two words of Wolof which evoke the clandestine emigration. The expression beats, echoing the pirogues which throw themselves against the ocean waves and which are often wrecked at the end of their journeying. But Mbekke Mi is above all the refusal to resign oneself to the deadly blows of an unjust destiny. If these young Senegalese men in their prime pit themselves against so many perils, it's in hope of finding a better life. But what happens on the other side of the disaster? The 'wretched of the sea' leave their loved ones behind - their wives, their mothers. It is these women's unique voices that are heard in this documentary. Speaking straight to the camera with stark intimacy, we can hear their moving and dignified voices.

Flare
Creative Artistic (10m, Netherlands)

An intimate look at the life of a Dutch woman suffering from an extreme case of Lupus. We meet Ida and follow her through day to day life, from long train rides seeking medical help to the intimacies of her past in this monochromatic short film. As though from a first person observer, we hope to better understand a less than popular disease and the effects of its affliction.

My Mother's Club
Rodney Thompson (60m, U S A)

A documentary film that centers on African American women's social clubs in Kansas City during the late 1940's,1950's, and 1960's. Segregation was the rule in America during these eras and its practice and acceptance gave rise to a proliferation of a separate African American social clubs. These clubs played an integral role in all aspects of social life and well-being of the community, from hosting spectacular parties and social functions to supporting the civil rights movement. This captivating story is told in a series of interviews through the eyes of the daughters of these women, through interviews with remaining club members and with cultural historians. The discussions focus on the impact of these clubs on Kansas City's African American community through their social activities, volunteerism, and social activism.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Panel Discussion

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Mama Africa
Mika Kaurismaki (88m, South Africa)

A film about world-famous South African singer Miriam Makeba, who spent half a century travelling the world spreading her political message to fight racism, poverty and promote justice and peace. Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) was an inspiration to musicians all over the world and a delight for international audiences. Nonetheless she remained true to her South African musical roots. She was forced into early exile from her homeland in 1959 as a result of her involvement in the documentary indictment of the Apartheid system in South Africa. After gaining worldwide attention in USA through her collaboration with Harry Belafonte, she found herself in the sights of the FBI following her marriage to Black Panther leader and black activist Stokely Carmichael in 1968. She decided to live and settle in Guinea, West Africa where she continued to fight the minority white Apartheid regime in her native land. Making use of rare archive documentary footage and a plethora of interviews, this film portrays the life of this exceptional artist and her music; a performer who, for more than fifty years, never failed to create a stir wherever she went.

 

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Q & A Session

…with the film director, Mr. Mika Kaurismaki and Mr. Nelson Lumumba Lee, Mariam Makeba’s Grandson

Sunday, March 3, 2013

 

5:00 - 8:00 PM  

 

I am Gay and Muslim
Chris Belloni (59m, Netherlands)

This intimate documentary follows a number of young Moroccan gay men in their exploration of their religious and sexual identity. The men portrayed in the film openly share their personal experiences and talk about the ambiguity and secretiveness of the life they feel condemned to live, although some have openly acknowledged their sexual orientation. The documentary aims to raise awareness and break the taboo surrounding homosexuality while exposing a broad spectrum of dilemmas that these gay men struggle with or have overcome in the past.

Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution
Deborah Riley Drape (91m, U S A)

Not many moments in life change the course of history, break the mold, shatter the status quo and usher in a paradigm shift. On a chilly night in November 1973, such a moment happened. The 1973 Grand Divertissement at Versailles, made a statement of its own- a fashion statement. The legendary event pitting the five lions of French couture with five top American designers for industry dominance created a cross-stitch of change across fashion, race, business and catwalks. The Americans claimed victory. Their secret weapon: great clothes and bold and beautiful black models sashaying down the royal runway. They turned heads and stole the show. The extraordinary evening left an unforgettable imprint on the fashion industry while changing the course of the fashion industry.

For more information about the Africa World Documentary Film Festival, or to view the festival schedule for other cities, please click here.