The African Diaspora Film Festival
June 19-25 at Facets Cinematheque
1517 West Fullerton Avenue
www.facets.org
The African Diaspora Film Festival and The Facets Cinémathèque are presenting The Seventh Annual Chicago African Diaspora Film Festival, which will be held at Facets from June 19–25. The African Diaspora Film Festival has the focus of presenting on the big screen films pertaining to the human experience of people from Africa and those in the Diaspora. Documentaries and fiction films form part of the program. Four documentaries and two fiction films fall under History studies. These are Youssou N’Dour: Return to Gorée, Black & White, Jacques Roumain: Passion for a Country, Rhythmic Uprising, Family Motel and Glorious Exit.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
YOUSSOU N’DOUR: RETURN TO GOREE
Sat., Jun. 20 at 7:00 p.m.
After its theatrical release in various cities in the US and Canada Youssou N’Dour: Return to Goree is back by popular demand. This remarkable film traces is the journey of the famous Senegalese singer in his quest to humanize through music the story of those who started their journey as slaves. An homage to jazz, and the courage and creativity of those who created this powerful music. by Pierre-Yves Borgeaud, Senegal/USA/ Luxembourg/Switzerland, 2006, 108mins, doc. in English, French, Wolof with English subt. Winner of the Audience Award, European Film Festival (Cinessone), Essone 2007; Winner, Best Documentary, 16th Pan African Film and Arts Festival, Los Angeles 2008 * screening will be preceded by a
small cocktail @ 6:30pm
BLACK AND WHITE IN EXILE
Sun., Jun. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
This fascinating documentary chronicles the experiences of Cuban and Haitian exiles in the United States since the 1960s. Using photojournalistic images, Black and White in Exile deals with the complex themes of assimilation and the often divisive issues of immigration, especially when race and politics collide. Directed by Ray Blanco, USA, 1997, 120 min, doc. in English, Creole and Spanish with English Subtitles.
CHICAGO PREMIERE!
JACQUES ROUMAIN: PASSION FOR A COUNTRY
(LA PASSION D’ UN PAYS)
Sun., Jun. 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Tue., Jun. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
This very informative and revealing documentary explores the Haitian society of the late 19th century and early 20th by focusing on the tormented life of one of Haiti’s most important authors, Jacques Roumain, who was also a prominent political figure. In his writings, Roumain raised vivid questions that were and still are very much relevant in regard to some of the issues the country faces to this day. by Arnold Antonin, Haiti, 2008, 111 min, documentary in Creole and French with subtitles Winner 2009 FESPACO Diaspora Prize: Paul Robeson Award
CHICAGO PREMIERE!
RHYTHMIC UPRISING
Mon. Jun. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Rhythmic Uprising is a documentary that shows how vibrant Afro-Brazilian Performing Arts are used to fight racism, social exclusion, and poverty in Bahia, Brazil. The film outlines the transformative powers of a large movement of community cultural projects that make up the latest chapter in a creative struggle for racial equality that began four centuries ago. By Benjamin Watkins, Brazil/USA, 2008, 66min, documentary in Portuguese with English subtitle.
CHICAGO PREMIERE!
JACQUES ROUMAIN: PASSION FOR A COUNTRY
(LA PASSION D’ UN PAYS)
Sun., Jun. 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Tue., Jun. 23 at 6:30 p.m.
This very informative and revealing documentary explores the Haitian society of the late 19th century and early 20th by focusing on the tormented life of one of Haiti’s most important authors, Jacques Roumain, who was also a prominent political figure. In his writings, Roumain raised vivid questions that were and still are very much relevant in regard to some of the issues the country faces to this day. by Arnold Antonin, Haiti, 2008, BetaSp, 111 min, documentary in Creole and French with subtitles Winner 2009 FESPACO Diaspora Prize: Paul Robeson Award
CHICAGO PREMIERE!
FAMILY MOTEL
Sat., Jun. 20 at 2 p.m.
Sun., Jun. 21 at 9 p.m.
She’s got an unrewarding service job, a husband stranded in Somalia and a teenage daughter with an attitude. Then, just when she thinks it can’t get worse, Ayan and her kids are slapped with an eviction order. That’s when they check into a seedy Family Motel. Shot in Vancouver with a nonprofessional cast and developed in collaboration with the lead character, Family Motel is a realistic and moving portrait of a strong woman facing life’s many challenges with courage, determination and a beautiful spirit. by Helene Klodawsky, Canada, 2007, 88mins, drama in English.
OPENING NIGHT FILM!
CHICAGO PREMIERE!
GLORIOUS EXIT
Fri., Jun. 19 at 7 p.m.
Wed., Jun. 24 at 9 p.m.
Jarreth Merz, a Swiss-Nigerian actor living in Los Angeles is summoned to Nigeria to bury his father. According to Nigerian tradition, the first-born is in charge of a father’s burial. But who is this father? Although Jarreth accepts the responsibility, he struggles with why he feels morally bound towards a family whom he hardly knows and who has never been particularly interested in him? Thus starts a journey of self-discovery. Directed by Kevin Merz, Nigeria/US/Switzerland, 2008, 75mins, documentary in English and German with English subtitles. Winner “Festival Real Life†Accra 2008. *This Opening Night screening and preceding catered reception sponsored by the Center for Black Diaspora DePaul University and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago.
