In Africa, in the early '60s, four adversaries with conflicting interests face off: the Soviets want to expand their influence; the United States intend to appropriate the continent's natural riches; the former empires seek to revive their shaky colonial power; and the young nations defend their newly-won independence, armed with an ideal, internationalism. African revolutionaries call on Cuban guerrillas to help them in their struggle, and Fidel Castro's men will play a central role on the continent, from Che Guevara's tragicomic epic in the Congo up to the triumph of the battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola. This film relates a largely untold story, going from 1961 to 1989, with archives and interviews to back it up.
2007 : Selected at FIPA, at FESPACO and at the International Film Festival of Montréal (Vues d’Afrique).
For the link to the two-part film, click here and here.
Open link until Tuesday April 19th.
Please send your questions and impressions about the film before Tuesday April 20th at this address.
About Jihan El Tahri:
Jihan El Tahri is a multi- award-winning film director, writer, visual artist and producer. She currently serves as the General Director of the Berlin based documentary support institution DOX BOX. El Tahri has been a member of The Academy (Oscars) since 2017 and is currently on the selection committee of the Locarno International Film Festival. She has directed more than 15 films and her visual art exhibitions have travelled to renowned museums and several Biennales around the world. Her writings include “Les Sept Vies de Yasser Arafat” (Grasset) and “Israel and the Arabs, The 50 Years war” (Penguin). She continues to mentor in various documentary and filmmaking labs. El Tahri has served on the boards of several African film organisations including the Federation of Pan African Cinema and The Guild of African Filmmakers in the Diaspora.
About Aboubacar Demba Cissokho:
Aboubacar Demba Cissokho is a Senegalese journalist specialized in "arts and culture". Holder of a Higher Diploma in Journalism obtained in 2000 at the Center for Studies of Information Science and Technology of the University Cheikh Anta Diop, he has worked since 2001 at the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), in Dakar where he resides. Since June 2015, he has been running the blog Le Grenier de Kibili, in which he publishes chronicles, notebooks, analyzes and reviews on subjects relating to arts, culture, history, memory and heritage. He covers national cultural news and in his writings puts forward critiques of the artistic production of creators in Africa and elsewhere, in festivals, literary and film meetings and other biennials. These journalistic activities and opportunities have allowed him to acquire a solid experience in the criticism of the artistic production of creators in Africa and elsewhere.