DocWatchers and the African Film Festival Present: Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

Thursday, November 6th, 7:00pm

DocWatchers and the African Film Festival Present:

(Curated by Hellura Lyle)

Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

Lee Hirsch, 2002, 103 min

Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony depicts the extraordinary role of freedom songs in the very long struggle against apartheid in South Africa.Featuring Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Vusi Mahlaselaand others, the film uses a mixture of interviews, musical performances and historical film footage. Amandla follows South Africans’ stories to be told through the voices of the people themselves.Amandla!is a beautifully crafted film which gives a fresh perspective on the importance of resistance songs throughout a conflict. This celebratory film is a testimony to the power of song and reveals that the inspiration of music provides fuel for the soul.

Q&A with Director Lee Hirsch & Reception to follow screening.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkv2dUcGAn4

BPT: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/916014

Facebook (general for all DocWatchers): https://www.facebook.com/events/645662225552017/

 

Thursday, September 11th, 7:00pm

Doc Watchers & African Film Festival Present:

God Loves Uganda

Roger Ross Williams, 2013, 83 min.

As an American-influenced bill to make homosexuality punishable by death wins widespread support, tension in Uganda mounts and an atmosphere of murderous hatred takes hold. God Loves Uganda explores the role of the American evangelical movement in Uganda, where American missionaries have been credited with not only building schools and hospitals, but also promoting dangerous religious bigotry, God Loves Uganda is a provocative and harrowing exploration of religious fundamentalism in the post-colonial world.

Followed by Q&A with Editor Benjamin Gray.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3_hKv4pEM4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/274739146060336/

BPT: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/830354

(Preceded by…)  One Year Lease

Brian Bolster, 2014, 11 min.

Told almost entirely through voice mail messages, One Year Lease documents the travails of Brian, Thomas, and Casper as they endure a year-long sentence with Rita, the cat-loving landlady.

Post-screening reception sponsored by Harlem Pride.

Fostering fellowship and informed discussion within Harlem’s LGBT community.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/274739146060336/

BPT: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/830354

Four Days of African Docs and Verite Fiction

African Film Festival Inc., Doc Watchers' Inc, and Maysles Cinema Present:

Four Days of African Docs and Verite Fiction

Curated by Hellura Lyle and Mahen Bonetti  

Thursday, May 15th, 7:00pm

Miners Shot Down

Rehad Desai, 2014, 85 min, South Africa

In August 2012, mineworkers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines began a strike for better wages. Six days later, the police used live ammunition to brutally suppress the strike, killing 34 and injuring many more. What emerges is collusion at the top, spiraling violence and the country’s first post-colonial massacre.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkK_T_vz7cY

BPT: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/663040

FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431228593792702


African Film Festival Inc., Doc Watchers' Inc, and Maysles Cinema Present:

Four Days of African Docs and Verite Fiction

Curated by Hellura Lyle and Mahen Bonetti

Friday, May 16th,  7:00pm

Last Song Before the War           

Kiley Kraskouskas, 2012, 90 min, US/Mali

Last Song Before the War is a feature-length documentary that captures the inspiring rise and uncertain future of the annual Festival re of Mali’in the Desert. The festival history is told from the perspective of the co-founder and festival director, Manny Ansar, the musicians who perform and the intrepid travelers from around the world who make the long journey to attend the festival. Against the backdrop of stunning musical performances, the film subtly reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating an artistic event in such challenging economic and political circumstances.

Post-Screening Q&A with filmmakers & reception.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jovfADZXRs

BPT: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/663046

FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431228593792702


African Film Festival Inc., Doc Watchers' Inc, and Maysles Cinema Present:

Four Days of African Docs and Verite Fiction

Curated by Hellura Lyle and Mahen Bonetti

Saturday, May 17th, 4:00pm           

Spotlight on Sudan

Cultural Healing Community Cinema Project

The Cultural Healing project trained Sudanese journalism students, civil society representatives and young people to make short documentary films that expressed their cultures and traditions. This project is based on a concept developed by British-Sudanese filmmaker Taghreed Elsanhouri.

Abuna

Mudzamil, 2013, 11 min., Sudan

A touching tribute to Ami Abdalseed, the caretaker and cook for the Red Sea High-school for boys. As generations of students fondly recollect their memories of Abdalseed, a powerful portrait of a man prepared to live by his principles and defy authority in his own unique way begins to emerge.

Coming Soon

Mustafa Jawhar and Hind Elsheik, 2013,16min, Sudan

A town pays tribute to an abandoned cinema.

The Crying Sea

Aladin Reyhan and Hashim Fath Alrahman, 2013, 12 min, Sudan

The Crying Sea celebrates the gift of the Red Sea to the city of Port Sudan and makes an urgent plea to its citizens to wake up to the consequences of sea pollution.

Mohamed Abdalaziem (aka Fox), 2013, 14 min., Sudan

This film follows a Southern Sudanese musician as he bids a prolonged and bittersweet farewell to Khartoum, the city in which he grew up, before his repatriation to South Sudan.

Only a Child

Eltahir Daoud , 2013, 10 min, Sudan  

This film tells the story of a young boy who has given up his schooling so his brothers can continue with their education.

 Tayba

Maha Abdalmoniem, 2013, 11 min, Sudan

An intimate portrait of the filmmaker’s aunt as she, from the repose of old age, recollects how she overcame the stigma of divorce and forged an independent life as a woman alone.

Train of Longing

Najwa Yaasin, 2013, 13 min, 2013, Sudan

Atbara was once known as the city of iron and steel and it was the railway that made it one of the most cosmopolitan and prosperous corners of Sudan. This film tells the tale of a city and its population and how the coming of the railway changed them both.

 

Post-Screening Q&A with Tagreed Elsanhouri and filmmakers & reception.

 

BPT:http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/663049

FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431228593792702

 

African Film Festival Inc., Doc Watchers' Inc, and Maysles Cinema Present:

Four Days of African Docs and Verite Fiction

Curated by Hellura Lyle and Mahen Bonetti

Saturday, May 17th, 7:30pm

Sodiq           

Michael Adeyemi, 2013, 44 min, UK

Hailing from a North Peckham estate, 20-year old Sodiq Adeojo’s childhood dreams to be a doctor were on the cusp of being realized, with offers from universities including King’s College. However, when he was charged with the gang-related shooting of an equally gifted teenager, two promising futures were shattered in one stroke. With a scrupulous look at the evidence in the case, director Michael goes right to the heart of this tragic story.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrDl7Vly5mY

Rêve Kakudji           

Ibbe Daniëls & Koen Vidal, 2013, 73 min, Belgium

Serge Kakudji is a twenty-year-old Congolese countertenor who fell in love with opera as a young boy, listening to cassette tapes of opera recordings in his room in Lumubashi. Rêve Kakudji follows Serge to Europe as he works to make it to the top of the classical opera world.

 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFnmpcGTFmk

BPT: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/663110

FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431228593792702


 

African Film Festival Inc., Doc Watchers' Inc, and Maysles Cinema Present:

Four Days of African Docs and Verite Fiction

Curated by Hellura Lyle and Mahen Bonetti

Sunday, May 18th, 4:00pm          

Curse of an Addict           

Lovinsa Kavuma, 2013, 25 min, Tanzania

Seif is a young Muslim heroin addict who believes he is cursed. In a battle to be free, he seeks help from a Sheik who conducts an exorcism and summons the curse.

 

A Lot Like You           

Eliaichi Kimaro, 2011, 80 min

Eliaichi Kimaro is a mixed-race, first-generation American with a Tanzanian father and Korean mother. When her retired father moves back to Tanzania, Eliaichi begins a project that examines the intricate fabric of her multiracial identity.

 

Post-screening Q&A via Skype with Director.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyyPg6pZves

BPT:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/663067

FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431228593792702

 

African Film Festival Inc., Doc Watchers' Inc, and Maysles Cinema Present:

Four Days of African Docs and Verite Fiction

Curated by Hellura Lyle and Mahen Bonetti

Sunday, May 18th,  7:00pm

Living Funeral

(Narrative Short

Udoka Oyeka, 2013, 21 min, Nigeria

Living Funeral tells the inspiring story a young woman coming to terms with her battle with breast cancer. It portrays an incredible journey of hope, bravery and despair. To help her family deal with their grief, the young woman arranges a farewell for her family to help ease their pain; a celebration of life… A living funeral.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRqxVja0KPo

B for Boy     

(Narrative Feature)

Chika Anadu, 2013, 118 min, Nigeria

In contemporary Nigeria, a 40-year-old pregnant woman raises a 7-year-old daughter, runs her own successful business and maintains a happy marriage. However, her failure to produce a son for her husband makes her a target of derision among family, friends and neighbors. When her pregnancy ends unexpectedly in a miscarriage, she takes extreme measures to keep the hope of a male heir alive.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEhTbVimeX4

BPT: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/66308

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1431228593792702