19th New York African Film Fest at Lincoln Center

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Parent Category: Film Festivals

Category: Previews

Published on Tuesday, 03 April 2012 15:55

Written by Renzo Adler

Entering its 19th year, the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) returns to Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater (165 W. 65th St.) from April 11th - 17th, 2012. 

Heralding the theme, The 21st Century: The Homecoming, the fest is not simply a celebration of filmmakers, it also examines and celebrates African culture, history and politics as it marks the 100th anniversary of the African National Congress and the 50th anniversary of independence for Algeria, Burundi, Jamaica, Rwanda, and Uganda. 

In addition, The New York premiere of The Education of Auma Obama -- a film about the President's half-sister -- offers a unique look into the life of Barack Obama.

The NYAFF brings some of Africa’s finest cinema to the United States at a time when both Africa is re-structuring itself after a series of continuing revolutions, and as America look towards an election year, making for a politically charged and enlightening film festival.

 African Film Festival Executive Director and Founder Mahen Bonetti says, "This new batch of directors emerging from post-independence Africa have somehow managed, through technology, to craft their own narrative, unconsciously drawing on the past and creating something new and very modern without having disavowed the past.”

Africans in the Diaspora: Expatriates and the Homecoming, a free festival preview, will take place  at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space (44 Charlton Street) on April 5th to welcome audiences to the 19th edition of the NYAFF; the event, moderated by renowned journalist Femi Oke, will include a special performance by popular artist-emcee DJ Spooky in which he rescores Ousmane Sembene’s Borrom Sorret.

Along with screenings and premieres, the popular blog Africa is a Country will present a panel discussion on the relationship between Africa and the Soviet Union during the 1960’s and 1970’s by examining films from Russia’s vast archive and compare them with today’s social media oriented revolutionary films, such as Kony 2012 and films from the Egyptian Revolution.

Said Film Society of Lincoln Center Program Director Richard Peña, “African cinema was born in the same year as the New York Film Festival — 1963 — and  it's always been a source of great pleasure and pride for me that for 50 years our programs have provided a vital showcase for the best in African filmmaking."

Some of the films being featured at NYAFF include:

Mama Africa
(2011)
directed by Mika Kaurismaki
Miriam Makeba was the first African musician to achieve international stardom, one whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots, as was her ceaseless message against racism and poverty. Miriam was forced into a life in exile, after exposing the harsh realities of apartheid. This documentary traces her life and music through more than 50 years of performing.

Relentless
(US Premiere, 2011)
directed by Andy Amadi Okoroafor
A haunting story about loneliness, love and self-discovery set in Africa’s throbbing megacity Lagos, Nigeria, this film relentless delicately explores the effects of war and loss.

In Darkest Hollywood: Cinema & Apartheid
(1994)
directed by Peter Davis and Daniel Riesenfeld
Using a wealth of archival footage and commentary by filmmakers and actors, including a young John Kani and Miriam Makeba, this two-part film examines the role of cinema in both supporting and attacking apartheid.

To learn more, go to http://www.africanfilmny.org

The New York African Film Fest
April 11th - 17th, 2012

Film Society of Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater 
165 W. 65th Street
New York, NY 

The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space
44 Charlton Street
New York, NY 

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