Where We Are: South Africa
wikipedia

What We Watched:


We Are Together
Year of Release: 2007
Starring: The Children of Agape
Directed By: Paul Taylor
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
WE ARE TOGETHER tells the remarkable and moving story of a group of children who use music to overcome hardship and loss.  Filmed over a period of three years, it is the story of an orphanage unlike any you've ever seen, where the young singers of the Agape Choir lift their voices to create the home and family they so very much need.

Life has not been easy for 12-year-old Slindile and her siblings living at the Agape Orphanage in South Africa, where most of the children have lost their parents to AIDS.  These toddlers and teenagers squabble and stumble just like other youths, discovering themselves, and craving stability.  Having already borne great hardships, Slindile along with her sisters and baby brother must endure the fact that their elder brother Sifiso has been diagnosed with AIDS and is slowly wasting away due to lack of medical care.  And yet, when they lift their voices in song, something extraordinary happens they overcome their fears, band together as a family, and find opportunities for hope.

My Thoughts:
We've all heard about the epidemic of AIDS in Africa.  Here we have a look at the children left behind.  This is a heart-wrenching story of a family broken up by AIDS but still holding together, still loving and supporting each other.  It's also a story of hope and giving and what people can do for one another.  Worth watching if you don't mind sentiment.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall:  3.5/5

Where We Are:  Mali
wikipedia

What We Watched:


Yeelen
Year of Release: 1987
Starring: Isiyaka Kane, Awa Sangare, Nyamanto Sanògò, Bala Musa Keyita
Directed By: Souleymane Cissé
Genre: Fantasy

Overview:
Souleymane Cissé is one of Africa's leading directors. He was born in 1940 in Bamako, the capital of Mali, where he now lives. After studying filmmaking in Moscow in the 1960s, he returned to Bamako where he began directing short and eventually feature films. Overcoming the difficulties of finance and distribution that plague African Cinema, Cissé's work has been widely seen and acclaimed in Europe and the United States.

Souleymane Cissé's cinematic vision encompasses both the historical and traditional culture of Africa (specifically the Bambara legends of Mali) and the political and social tensions of modern society. While largely regarded as one of the pioneers of African Cinema, Cissé's work has been largely unavailable on video in the United States.

This adaptation of an ancient oral legend from Mali, is one the most acclaimed and widely seen African films ever made. An Oedipal story mixed with magic, YEELEN is as visually stunning as anything from Hollywood.

Set in the powerful Mali Empire of the 13th century, YEELEN follows the journey of Nianankoro, a young warrior who must battle the powerful Komo cult. Nianankoro's greatest enemy is his own father, a dangerous and corrupt wizard who uses his dark magic to try and destroy his son. Traveling over the arid Bambara, Fulani and Dogan lands of ancient West Africa, Nianankoro eventually comes face to face with his father in a final fatal showdown. Cissé's extraordinary use of landscapes and light produces a unique and striking cinematic style.

My Thoughts:
Based on a legend, this is a film rich with symbolism and style.  Cissé makes wonderful use of the settings of his film, of light and dark, of water, earth, fire and sky.  It's a very African film, and I expect I would have understood it's depths much more were I familiar with the legend.  As it is, it's a window into the world of traditional African beliefs and timeless world myths, a multi-layered story that is both foreign and familiar at the same time.  Highly recommended if you want a film to think about afterward.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall:  4/5

ANOTHER BONUS SHORT FILM!

Where We Are: South Africa
wikipedia

What We Watched:


The Abyss Boys
Year of Release: 2009
Starring:  Travis Snyders, Moegammad Ja'Qoob Isaacs, Brendon Daniels
Directed By:  Jan-Hendrik Beetge
Genre:  Drama, Crime

Overview:
Focus' Africa First program is an initiative designed exclusively for filmmakers of African nationality and residence, and presents annual awards to the best and brightest from around the continent. After touring film festivals around the world, these Africa First short films are now available for audiences everywhere:

Dyana Gaye's ST. LOUIS BLUES, an invigorating traveling musical; Jenna Bass' THE TUNNEL, a moving story of a young girl in search of her father; Jan-Hendrik Beetge's THE ABYSS BOYS a coming-of-age tale amidst rampant corruption and gang violence; and Wanuri Kahiu's PUMZI a startling vision of the future.

My Thoughts:
This was another powerful short film, this time about two boys caught up in abalone smuggling.  The oldest wants to get out, but the younger is still dazzled by the thoughts of the lucrative trade.  It's very realistic, or seems so to me, and doesn't end well for the boys, and the film ought to be shown to any youngster who thinks that a life of crime is cool.  Recommended and well worth watching, but again, don't expect a happy ending.

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  4/5

Where We Are:  Botswana
wikipedia



Relentless Enemies
Year of Release: 2006
Starring: Lions & Cape Buffalo
Directed By:  Dereck Joubert
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
It is a spectacle few have seen firsthand. Two foes trapped on an island in a remote part of Africa. And a dramatic battle to survive captured in high-definition over two years by award-winning filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

National Geographic travels to a unique battlefield in the Okavango Delta to witness the grueling fight for survival of highly specialized lions that prey almost exclusively on buffalo who are forced to devise defensive tactics in order to fight back. Relentless Enemies tracks the fierce battles from the air and up close for an unforgettable account of a struggle that has been playing out for eons.

My Thoughts:
All of the films I have from Botswana are made by the same company: Wildlife Films Botswana.  This was the only one we haven't watched, so it we watched it for the marathon.  All of the wildlife films the Joubert's have made are really great, but this is by far the best.  It really illustrates the tactics and intelligence of both the buffalo and the lions, and I challenge anyone to watch this and still think that animals are stupid.  It has really great footage of both species and their habitat, it's well filmed and the narration was also well scripted, so I'd easily recommend this to anyone who likes wildlife documentaries.

Bechdel Test: Not applicable

Overall: 4/5

Where We Are: Tunisia
wikipedia



Un été à La Goulette (A Summer in La Goulette)
Year of Release: 1996
Starring: Sonia Mankaï, Ava Cohen-Jonathan, Sarah Pariente, Mustapha Adouani, Guy Nataf, Ivo Salerno, Gamil Ratib
Directed By: Férid Boughedir
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life

Overview:
The year is 1967 in La Goulette - a small harbor town in the suburbs of Tunis where various cultures have lived together for ages in effortless harmony. Youssef, Jojo and Giuseppe are as inseparable as their three 16-year-old-daughters, Meriem, Gigi and Tina. In a fit of teenage provocation, the three girls swear that they will lose their virginity by the day of the procession of the Madonna. To make matters worse, each of them has her eyes on a boy of a different religion, thus challenging an inviolable taboo. This leads the three families to cut off all ties with one another. But the bonds tying the three fathers are too strong. They end up making up, more like brothers than ever, just before the Six Day War breaks out in the Middle East, tearing apart Jews and Arabs the world over.

My Thoughts:
This is the image of an idyllic, peaceful place, a "paradise on Earth" as one of the mothers describes it, a place where Jews, Christians and Muslims live side-by-side happily.  It has a nostalgic view of a simpler time, when it seemed like there might still be a hope for peace in the Middle East.  It's a fun film, part coming-of-age, part slice-of-life, part comedy.  None of the performances stand out, but all of them were decent and the girls were all very lovely, especially the girl who plays Meriem.  It's also a film where summer is fleeting, a time to enjoy romance and live without worries before the coming storms.  Recommended for just about anyone, unless you don't like subtitles. 

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

Where We Are: Kenya
wikipedia



Masaï: Les guerriers de la pluie (Masaï: The Rain Warriors)

Year of Release: 2005
Starring: Ngotiek Ole Mano, Paul Nteri Ole Sekenan, Parkasio Ole Muntet, Musurpei Ole Toroge, Swakei Kiplosh
Directed By: Pascal Plisson
Genre: Adventure

Overview:
Faced with a dangerous drought, Masai elders are convinced that they have been cursed by the Red God—the God of Vengeance. Following the death of the war chief, a group of adolescents band together to form a new generation of inexperienced but brave warriors, forcing them into adulthood. The young men must return with the mane of the legendary lion to appease the wrath of the Red God and bring back the rains. The survival of their culture depends on this quest. MASAI: THE RAIN WARRIORS, the debut feature film of noted nature documentarian Pascal Plisson, is the first film to be solely populated by real-life Masai and spoken entirely in their native tongue.

My Thoughts:
First, I should say, yes this is technically a French film since the production companies are French.  However, I'm counting as Kenyan since it not only was filmed in Kenya but also all the actors are Maasai, it's a look at their traditional way of life, was developed in partnership with their community, and is spoken in Maa.  So I'm counting it for Kenya (however, for sticklers with my marathon here, I also watched the short film Pumzi which is from a Kenyan production company). 

We enjoyed this film quite a lot.  It was beautifully filmed, definitely showing Plisson's nature documentary background and showcasing the gorgeous African savanna that the Maasai inhabit.  The actors, while undoubtedly amateurs, all did good work and it was interesting to see their characters develop over the film.  It's a story of initiation and courage, and learning to work together and make sacrifices for the greater good.  In that respect it has a lot of positive messages to share with viewers.  It's also a look at a traditional African way of life, uncluttered by questions of modernism, colonialism, or westernization. It has a rich, authentic, ancient feel to it, and I'd recommend it to anyone.  It's also suitable for family viewing with anyone old enough to read subtitles.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

Where We Are:  Côte d'Ivoire
wikipedia

What We Watched:


Noirs et blancs en couleur (Black and White in Color)
Year of Release: 1976
Starring: Jean Carmet, Jacques Dufilho, Catherine Rouvel, Jacques Spiesser, Dora Doll, Maurice Barrier
Directed By: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Genre: Comedy, War

Overview:
Winner of the 1976 Academy Award™ for Best Foreign Language film, BLACK AND WHITE IN COLOR is a irrepressible and timely satire on racism, colonialism, and war. Set in the Ivory Coast during the First World War, a group of bungling French colonials learn that their country is at war with Germany. Spurred on by a capricious moment of patriotism, the Frenchmen decide to attack their German neighbors who reside in a colony up river, thus touching off a brutal series of hilariously unfortunate events.

My Thoughts:
While I haven't seen its rivals, judged solely on its own merit I can see why Black and White in Color won the Oscar.  It's a really well done film.  It reminded me a lot of Dr. Strangelove - obviously because both are satires, both are well done, and both are very funny.  The film has a lot of good points to make about the treatment of Africa by the West, but it's not just a film with a message.  It's also really entertaining.  It's clever and ironic and timeless.  Recommended.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 4/5

Where We Are:  Cameroon
wikipedia

What We Watched:


Chocolat
Year of Release: 1988
Starring: Isaach de Bankole, Giulia Boschi, François Cluzet, Cecile Ducasse,
Directed By: Claire Denis
Genre: Drama

Overview:
"Erotic, sophisticated, and distinctive" (L.A. Weekly), this enthralling depiction of a family's struggle during the final years of French colonialism in Africa takes a profound look at the intricate nature of relationships in a racist society. A story of exclusions, betrayals and agonizing comprises, this "remarkable and quietly devastating" (The Boston Globe) film is truly "extraordinary" (Interview)!

Curious and observant seven-year-old France spends her days amidst the paradise of her family's estate. But behind the household's exterior beauty lies growing hostility brought on by France's always-traveling father, her bored, frustrated mother – and Protee, the noble, intelligent house "boy" who suffers the indignities of his status in silence. But when a plane makes an emergency landing nearby, bringing a motley collection of characters to the house, the heavenly façade soon begins to unravel. And a shocking explosion of rage, racism and forbidden passion threatens to tear apart the family forever!

My Thoughts:
Watching Chocolat is like watching a memoir, with the past playing out in a search for identity, meaning, and relationships, but there really isn't a plot, just vignettes about life in late colonial times.  It does have a lot to say there - about racism, boundaries, power, and the continuing legacy of colonialism in Africa.  This is very much a character driven film, and as such a lot is expected out of the leads, and all of them deliver.  Isaach De Bankolé and Giulia Boschi are outstanding as Protée and Aimée, whose relationship is one of the main foci of the film.  Cécile Ducasse is also excellent as the young France, whose relationship with Protée is the other focus. 

However, the film is very slow-paced, not much happens, and there is no resolution, just a look at colonialism, racism, and the effects on this particular family in this particular time, so I can only recommend this for aficionados of foreign films. 

Bechdel Test:  Fail

Overall:  3.25/5