PROGRAM 4 Tuesday April 29th at 6:00 pm at the Maison Française, Columbia University
Post-screening discussion
Moderator:
Boukary Sawadogo, Associate professor of Cinema Studies and Black Studies, City College New York
Filmmakers and Producer:
Frederic Hainaut & Olivier Croufer (Des mondes lointains)
Elen Sylla Grollimund (Villa Madjo)
Arnold Setohou, Producer NEW DIRECTION FILMS (Cotonou/Bénin) (Mon vélo)
Kabril I Manz Salad
Nicolas Sery
La Réunion/ France
2023, 20 minutes
In a Reunion Island housing project, as the time of the sacrifice for the Aïd el-Kebir approaches, Ibrahim,12, of Comoran descent, is bullied by Evan, a neighbor of the same age, who accuses him of being an animal killer, When Ibrahim learns that a goat is about to be delivered to his building he decides to save it... but Evan is watching.
Les fleurs sauvages
Thierry Sirois-Rodolph St Gelais
Québec/Canada
2024, 5 minutes
In a detailed telephone message, a man explains to his interlocutor how to use his lawn tractor so that he can mow his lawn in his absence.
Des Mondes Lointains
Frederic Hainaut-Olivier Croufer
Democratic Republic of the Congo-Belgique
2022, 20 minutes
In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Paul runs a grain mill. This morning, he is feverish, which does not prevent him from grinding grain. The machine’s transmission belt breaks and that is a disaster. Paul sends Michel to Sakala to get a new belt. While he is hospitalized, he dialogues with his faraway lands.
Villa Madjo
Elen Sylla Grollimund
Senegal-France-Belgium
2024, 13 minutes
Starting from the observation that her father -who is white- was born in Africa, and that her mother -who is black- was born in Europe, the director reveals the complex history of her family, from colonialism to their experience of the interracial couple in Europe in the 1950's and 70's.
Making Men
Harold George-Antoine Panier
Zimbabwe-Belgium
2020, 20 minutes
Examining the question of masculinity, this dance film zooms in on four individuals in the process of becoming men. As is expected, they proceed unquestioningly into manhood through various stages of their lives, adopting the clearly coded characteristics dictated by society. However, they’re oppressed by a feeling of unease in the very depths of their being, feeling uncertainty but also something else, harder to define…. Shot in the breathtaking landscape of Zimbabwe, Making Men features strong and rhythmical choreography but also special camerawork that intensifies emotions inspired by the movement.
Mon Vélo
Francky Tohouegnon
Bénin
2023, 12 minutes
Oumar, a 12-year-old boy, yearns for a bike. His father promises to give him one if he comes top of his class. When his school results are announced, stress overwhelms him and plunges him into a frightening dream in which his brand-new bike is stolen. Determined, he teams up with his best friend, Comlan. Together, they set a clear goal: to find the bike at all costs before his father discovers it's missing.