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5 Must-See African Films (Video)

Posted byBy ABS Contributor | Published on: CommentsComments (4)

Taking a cue from the Belgian Africa Film Festival program – which kicks off on March 15, running until March 30 – here are five films to watch out for.

Here is the trailer for documentary maker Thierry Michel’s portrait of Congolese businessman-governor-football club owner Moïse Katumbi Chapwe. Michell’s relentless dedication to all things Congo is quite impressive. Remember, for example, his films, Mobutu King of Zaire, Congo River, Katanga Business, and the recent documentary on the murder of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya (which landed him in trouble). For a fairly complete list of his other work, see here. Moïse Katumbi: Foot, Business, Politique seems to suggest Katumbi might become the DRC’s next president.

Next is The Teacher’s Country, a film by Benjamin Leers about home and belonging in Tanzania, 50 years after its independence. One of the characters followed and interviewed in the documentary is Tanzania’s first President Julius Nyerere’s son, Madaraka (who’s a prolific blogger, by the way).

There’s the short film Nota Bene by Rwandan director Richard Mugwaneza, tracing a boy’s move from his village to the city. Actors include Rodrigues Cyuzuzo and Jean Pierre Harerimana. The film’s website has a detailed write-up about the production of the project.

C’est à dieu qu’il faut le dire (God’s the one to tell) is an older short film by Elsa Diringer (2010, 19min.), but it has not been screened in many places since it premiered. Set in Paris, the lead role is played by Tatiana Rojo (Côte d’Ivoire).

Pourquoi Moi? (Why Me?) is a short film by Burundian director Vénuste Maronko, tackling violence against women. The dramatic and experimental film is available in full on YouTube (below). It’s not of the best quality but that might be partially explained by its home cinema “of the 1950s with a 8mm camera” aesthetics.

Read More: africasacountry.com

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