Women in War Zones

Co-Presented by V-Day

 Dir. Scott Blanding and Brad LaBriola, 2009, 51min.

 A touching look into the lives of two young women who become sisters as they recover from sexual violence at Panzi Hospital.

 Discussion with filmmakers Brad LaBriola & Greg Heller, Eve Ensler (V-Day), author Yaa-Lengi Ngemi, Aningina Tshefu Bibiane (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom), moderated by journalist Jimmie Briggs to follow screening + reception sponsored by Sylvia’s Restaurant.

Pièces d’Identités

Co-Presented by Friends of the Congo

Dir. Mweze Ngangura, 1998, 93min.

A Congolese king arrives in Brussels in search of his long-lost daughter. What masquerades as a simple fable raises some of the most troubling issues of identity facing people of African descent in the ever-widening Diaspora of the late 20th century

 Discussion with Professor Joseph Mwantuali (Hamilton College) and author Yaa-Lengi Ngemi

Lumumba

Co-Presented by Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Museum for African Art, Zeitgeist Films

Dir. Raoul Peck, 2000, 100min.

The true story of the rise to power and brutal assassination of the formerly vilified and later redeemed leader of independent Congo, Patrice Lumumba.

 Discussion with author Yaa-Lengi Ngemi, activist Kambale Musavuli, and art critic/educator Lubangi Muniania to follow screening + opening night reception featuring poetry by Omekongo Dibinga.

Soul Power

Dir. Jeffrey Levi-Hinte, 2009, 93min.

 Soul Power documents the Zaire 74 music festival that accompanied the "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight boxing championship match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in October 1974.

 Panel discussion with Maurice Carney (Friends of the Congo), Lubangi Muniania (Tabilulu Productions), Yaa-Lengi Ngemi (author and historian) and Ken Braun (Sterns Music USA, compiler of Franco Phonic).