The African Diaspora Film Festival, The Office of the President, Diversity and Community Affairs and the Center for African Education at Teachers College, Columbia University invite you to ADFFs Laugh Out Loud Film Series Program featuring films from Senegal, Mozambique, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, France and the US.
Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Teachers College, Columbia University. All films are in English or with English subtitles.
TC African Diaspora Cine Club
Teachers College, Columbia University
525 West 120th Street - Room 172 Macy Hall
Train 1 to 116th Street - Walk up four blocks or
Bus M4, M60 or M104 to 120th Street
Friday, June 26 at 6:00PM
Special Event Screening: Discussion & Cocktails
100% Arabica
by Mahmoud Zemmouri, 85min, 1997, France, comedy in French with English subtitles.
In a housing project located on the outskirts of Paris renamed "100% Arabica" by its inhabitants, African immigrants live side by side. The residents are united by their struggle for recognition in a society where immigrants are often regarded as second-class citizens. In a world of exiles, poverty is the common denominator. Against this backdrop, director Zemmouri has brought together two of the biggest and most charismatic stars of the cross-cultural musical form known as Rai, Cheb Mami and Khaled, who play the leaders of a band called Rap Oriental. As the band of musicians starts to gain in popularity, the Imam of the local mosque (Mouss) tries to destroy them by stirring up racial and cultural tensions. However, no one can stop the infectious popularity of the songs in this story of music triumphing over bigotry and violence.
at Teachers College, Columbia University
525 West 120th Street
Fri, June 26-172 Macy Hall FREE (faculty and students) Screening (6:00PM)
Photo ID required to enter building
Friday, June 26
8:30PM
in Room 172 Macy Hall
VIEW TRAILER
SANKY PANKY
by Jose Enrique Pintor, 110 min, 2007, Dominican Republic, comedy in Spanish with English subtitles.
The Dominican Republic has beautiful beaches, beautiful people, and a little something called "Sanky Panky," which female tourists might want to stay away from. In this musical comedy starring the charismatic Fausto Mata, his attempts at getting foreign women to fall in love with him in order to procure a visa to the United States have hilarious results. A huge hit in both the Dominican Republic and the Dominican communities abroad, SANKY PANKY is a humorous look at the little-known phenomena of seducing travelers for personal gain. Popular Dominican music, such as Big Family and Aventura, accompany many of Mata's ridiculous exploits in his quest for a little "Sanky Panky."
Saturday, June 27
2:00PM
in Room 172 Macy Hall
PLAYING AWAY
by Horace Ove, 100mins, 1986, Trinidad&Tobago/UK, comedy in English. Official Selection, Lond and African Diaspora Film Festivals
To mark the conclusion of their "Third World Week" celebration, a cricket team in a small English village invites a West Indian cricket team from South London to a charity game. "Not surprisingly, there's wariness on both sides. But Willie Boy (Norman Beaton), the proud, wryly philosophical captain of the Conquistadors, is intent on accepting the invitation. Meanwhile, the captain of the Sneddington Cricket Club, the innocent but overwhelmingly self-satisfied Derek (Nicholas Farell), is confident of a handy Sunday afternoon victory. Obviously, the possibilities, both comic and serious, in this cultural exchange are endless, and the filmmakers seem not to have missed any of them. But, for all the film's abundant humor, Ove, said to be Britain's first black film maker, and the Oxford-educated Phillips, never let us forget that racial tensions lurk beneath the occasion's surge of good will. In the end, Playing Away's pleasures are subtle and genuine." ~Los Angeles Times
Saturday, June 27
4:00PM
in Room 172 Macy Hall
THE GREAT BAZAAR
by Lincinio Azevedo, 58 min, 2005, Mozambique, comedy in Portugese with English subtitles. Winner Best Short Film, Durban International Film Festival. Official Selection, African Diaspora Film Festival.
In the suburb of an African city, 12-years-old Paito sells fritters outside his house. One day, a band of young robbers takes his money. He decides he's not going to go home until he recovers what he lost. With this in mind, he heads out for the big city on the same train as the thieves. Looking for work, he begins to live in a market square that at night becomes a dormitory for homeless vendors. There he meets Xano, a boy his age, whose insolent behavior and fearlessness attract him. Unlike Paito, Xano despises work and he steals. Despite their differences, they become friends. Together, they reinvent the world.
Saturday, June 27
8:30pm
in Room 172 Macy Hall
NO TIME TO DIE
by King Ampaw, 95mins, 2006, Ghana, love and comedy in English. Official Selection, African Diaspora Film Festival.
Death and funeral traditions play a significant role in African culture. No Time to Die is director King Ampaw's contribution to passing the traidtion onto the next genderation. hearse driver, David Dunnoth meets and falls in love with a young, beautiful dancer who is plannine an elaborate homegoing celebration for her mother. This love and comedy feature lenght film follows David as he does everything to win her affection.
Saturday, June 27
6:00pm
in Room 172 Macy Hall
REUNION
by Sheila Marie Norman, 110mins, 2006, USA, comedy -drama in English . Recipient of numerous awards including Best Actress, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress. Official Selection, African Diaspora Film Festival.
Struggling with vulnerability, Dominique (Carolyn Owens), a college professor, must do some soul searching to address personal shortcomings. Suffering from kidney failure, she attends a family reunion to approach her estranged sister, CeCe (Trisha Mann), for a transplant. However, unresolved conflicts from their catastrophic childhood remain. At great emotional expense, both sisters must confront the demons of their past to find forgiveness and healing. Wacky relatives attending the reunion add color and controversy to the affair. Mounting tensions erupt when Aunt Clara (Maxine Hayden), the family matriarch, reveals a shocking secret, shaking the family tree to its roots
Sunday, June 28
2:00pm
in Room 172 Macy Hall
ALMODOU
by Amadou Thior, 85mins, 2002, Senegal, comedy in Wolof/French with English subtitles. Official Selection, African Diaspora Film Festival.
Sometimes distasteful practices are most effectively criticized with a good sense of humor. Meet Modou, a young, courageous and determinde talibe - a pupil in a Koranic school-who manages to escape from his corrupt and abusice teacher to find a better life in contemporary Dakar, Senegal.
Sunday, June 28
4:00pm
in Room 172 Macy Hall
SPECIAL GUEST Q&A
w/Refreshments
MURDER MAGIC by Windell Williams, 100mins, 1993, USA, drama in English. Official Selection, African Diaspora Film Festival.
A comedy-drama by gifted New York based director Windell Williams, Murder Magic is about a treacherous family secret which causes a murderous conflict between two brothers, one clean-cut and ambitious, the other a womanizing ex-convict. Don't miss this deliciously original, filled with humor, and distinctively intelligent independent feature film and meet director Windell Williams. Q&A after the screening. Refreshments will be served. Sunday, June 28 at 4:00pm. Q&A with filmmaker, Windell Williams and refreshments will be served.
Sunday, June 28
6:30pm
in Room 172 Macy Hall
HOW TO CONQUER AMERICA IN ONE NIGHT
by Dany Laferriere , 96mins, 2004, Canada/Haiti, Romantic comedy in French with English subtitles . Recipient of Zenith Prize (Best First Fiction Feature), Montreal World Film Festival. Official Selection, African Diaspora Film Festival.
Newly arrived in Montréal, and determined to conquer North America by charming blond-haired women, Gégé, a Haitian in his thirties, lands up at Fanfan's - his nostalgic uncle who has given up poetry for a good old taxicab and dreams of returning to his homeland. Over the course of one night filled with humor and friendship -- highlighted by a party attended by twins Andrée and Denise, two Québécoises with contrasting charms -- the two fun-loving guys take stock of their lives, memories and fantasies. Meanwhile, on television, various celebrities draw up a comic portrait of North American society. "A shrewd, funny, humane and very well-written and acted comedy from Haitian-born Montreal writer Dany Laferriere (author of How To Make Love To a Negro Without Getting Tired and On the Verge of a Fever), who makes a lively directorial debut with this comic-dramatic tale." ~ Michael Wilmington - Chicago Tribune.
Screenings: $9 General Admission, $7 students & seniors.
Friday, June 26 8:30pm
Saturday, June 27
Sunday, June 28
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact OASID at oasid@tc.edu , (212) 678-3689, (212) 678-3853 TTY, (212) 678-3854 video phone, as early as possible to request reasonable accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, alternate format materials, and a campus map of accessible features.Info: (212) 864-1760
