onecolortm

’76

Title: ’76 Year of production: 2016 Director: Izu Ojukwu Country of origin: Nigeria Running time: 118 minutes 76′ tells its story from two points of view: that of a young pregnant woman, and her husband, a soldier accused of being involved in the 1976 military coup and assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, the Head-of-State ofContinue reading “’76”

Who Killed Captain Alex?

Title: Who Killed Captain Alex? Year of production: 2010 Director: Nabwana I.G.G. Country of origin: Uganda Running time: 99 minutes Who Killed Captain Alex? proudly bears the title of Uganda’s first action film. The plot concerns the aftermath of a police raid in Kampala in which a police captain (titular Alex) and a drug racketeer’sContinue reading “Who Killed Captain Alex?”

Yeelen

Title: Yeelen a.k.aBrightness Year of production: 1987 Director: Souleymane Cissé Country of origin: Mali Running time: 105 minutes Fantasy movie often described, quite unfairly, as “African Star Wars”. A young man with magical powers journeys to his uncle to request help in fighting an evil sorcerer, who also happens to be his father. Our protagonist,Continue reading “Yeelen”

Ceddo

Title: Ceddoa.k.aThe Outsiders Year of production: 1977 Director: Ousmane Sembène Country of origin: Senegal Running time: 120 minutes The Ceddo try to preserve their traditional African culture against the onslaught of Islam, Christianity, and the slave trade. When King Demba War sides with the Muslims, the Ceddo kidnap his daughter, Princess Dior Yacine, to protestContinue reading “Ceddo”

Xala

Title: Xala Year of production: 1975 Director: Ousmane Sembène Country of origin: Senegal Running time: 123 minutes A prosperous businessman has adopted many Western ways, but he perpetuates the tradition of polygamy by taking a beautiful young woman as his third wife. When a curse strikes him impotent and his economic fortunes begin to collapse,Continue reading “Xala”

Why Africa?

When you hear the word “cinema” what countries come to your mind? There is of course America with its Dreams Factory in Hollywood. Then we have France and Italy, with their more artistic approach to movie making. You are probably aware of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa or you are familiar with the exploits of Godzilla.Continue reading “Why Africa?”