" YOUNG ACHIEVERS" FILM SERIES"
Entertaining and Educational Films for the Entire Family!
JULY 1 - 3, 2011
Since 1993, the African Diaspora International Film Festival has showcased films for the entire family. As part of its ongoing ADIFF Spring and Summer Film Series at Teachers College, Columbia University, ADIFF and the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs are presenting a selection of films showcased in the African Diaspora International Film Festival School Program.
From July 1 - 3, the "Young Achievers" Film Series will bring you amazing stories of young people with a mission who stop at nothing to achieve their goal !
ALL SCREENINGS ARE FREE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
ALL DAY, JULY 1, 2011 - FREE PROGRAM FOR ALL
6PM NIGHTJOHN by Charles Burnett (USA)
Nightjohn is a powerful and soul-stirring drama set on a nineteenth century Southern plantation.
Twelve-year-old Sarny (Allison Jones) is an orphan being raised by the resourceful Delie (Lorraine Toussaint). Their lives are changed when John (Carl Lumbly), a new slave, arrives to work the fields of the owner (Beau Bridges). He has returned from the north where he was a free man in order to teach his people how to read. "You get some words for yourself and you be free," he tells Sarny.
She is an industrious little girl who practices her letters in the dirt and secretly reads the papers of the slave owner's wife. And by learning numbers, Sarny grasps the economics of slavery. Although the whites rejoice when this black girl consents to be baptized, she is really "saved" the moment she realizes the numbers on display in the church refer to hymns. John expresses what literacy means when he says, "My lesson's got no bottom."
SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011 -
FREE FOR YOUTH 18 YEARS OLD or YOUNGER
11AM Africa United (UK/Rwanda) - Opening Night film ADIFF 2010
Africa United is a fun road movie through the heart of Africa for the entire family to enjoy. Three Rwandan children set off from Rwanda's Capital City, Kigali, to audition for the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup. The Children are Rwandan football prodigy Fabrice, his best friend and 'manager' Dudu, and Dudu's little sister Beatrice. Armed with ingenuity, determination and blind optimism, they defy all dangers so that Fabrice can finally be part of the "team for the dream". Their travels through Rwanda, Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa reveal a side of Africa few people ever see. Africa United is a story of joy, laughter, hope and generosity -the 'ubuntu' spirit in which the children make this incredible journey together. Rwanda/Uk/South Africa, 2010, 90mins, road movie, English, Gardner-Paterson, dir.
1PM Masai: The Rain Warriors (Kenya)
A story of initiation, friendship, teamwork and sacrifice set on the vast ochre savannah of Kenya. A group of boys must grow up quickly as they are the only ones who can save their village, confront the Red Lion, and bring back the rain. France/Kenya, 2005, 94 min, drama, Masai with English Subtitles, Pascal Plisson, dir.
3PM Sho'Nuff (USA)
Shot in New Orleans before Katrina, Sho'Nuff follows 13 year old Labi who, in this age of Hip Hop, strives to play the traditional New Orleans music of his father and grandfather, by organizing a brass band of his peers. Join the excitement and suspense as he hurdles on obstacle after another to fulfill his dream. Q&A with filmmaker R.E. Henry, a native of New Orleans displaced to NYC since Katrina. USA, 2001, 90 min, drama, English, R.E. Henry, dir.
5PM The Great Bazaar (Mozambique)
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. Mozambique, 2005, 58 min, comedy, Portuguese with English Subtitles, Licinio Azevedo, dir.
SUNDAY, JULY 3, 2011- FREE FOR YOUTH 18 years old or younger
11AM Kirikou and the Sorceress (France/Senegal)
This animated film exquisitely recounts the tale of tiny Kirikou, born in an African village in which Karaba the Sorceress has placed a terrible curse. Kirikou sets out on a quest to free his village of the curse and find out the secret of why Karaba is so wicked. France/Senegal, 1998, 74 min, animated feature, English, Michel Ocelot, dir
1PM Good Bye Momo (Uruguay)
Obdulio is an 11-year-old Afro-Uruguayan boy who lives with his grandmother in Montevideo. He sells newspapers in the streets to help out with the household expenses and has no interest in attending school. One night he meets the "Maestro," a charismatic watchman who possesses magical gifts at a newspaper building. Through poetry and the lyrics of the "Murgas" (Carnival Pierrots) during the mythical nights of the irreverent and provocative Uruguayan carnival, the magician introduces Obdulio to a world of literacy and a different perspective about the meaning of life. Uruguay, 2005, 100 min, drama, Spanish with English Subtitles, Leonardo Ricagni, dir.
3PM Short Program
THE CHOICE (USA)
Micah, a teen in Pensacola, FL raps about the struggles he faced growing up. He felt like a "street soldier" and that he couldn't be worth anything. He found an outlet for his energy and anger through volunteering to make his community a better place. USA, 2010, 5 min, music video, English, Mirah McDonald, dir.
WHITE LIKE THE MOON (USA LATINO)
A Mexican-American girl struggles to keep her identity when her mother forces her to bleach her skin white to fit into "Anglo" society in the 1950's.
USA, 2001, 23 min, drama, English, Marina Gonzalez Palmier, dir.
MOTHER OF THE RIVER (USA)
In this poignant story set in the 1850s, a young slave girl befriends a magical woman in the woods called Mother of the River. Through their friendship the young girl learns about independence, honor, humility and respect for others. MOTHER OF THE RIVER is a rare portrayal of slavery from a young woman's perspective. USA, 1995, 28 min, drama, English, Zeinabu Irena Davis, dir.
TICKETS:
Program on Friday is Free of Charge and Open to the public.
For Saturday and Sunday for adults only: Weekend pass $20; Day pass $15; $6 per show.
ALL SCREENINGS FREE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 18 years old or younger.
PLEASE NOTE WE ACCEPT CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR.
WHERE:
Teachers College, Columbia University
525 West 120th Street - "The Chapel" in Zankel building
Take train 1 to 116th street and walk uptown four blocks. Entrance between Broadway and Amsterdam. Picture ID requested to enter building.
DVDs of films from this program will be on sale at the venue. $15 per DVD; $25 for 2 DVD; $30 for three DVD and $10 for each additional DVD.
PLEASE NOTE WE ACCEPT CASH ONLY ON SITE.
William Sleator, the prolific and incisive YA fantasy, science fiction and horror novelist novelist passed away last week (August 3, 2011).
