The Best of the African Diaspora Film Festival
Feb 16—21

Fri, Feb 16 at 2pm
Features the films:

Colobane Express (2001) Senegal
Directed by Khady Sylla
This documentary looks at the public vans in Dakar, which are the sole means of local transportation in the city, and their drivers who are always on the go. In Wolof with English subtitles.

The Great Bazaar (2005) Mozambique
Directed by Licinio Azavedo
In the suburb of an African city, twelve-year-old Paito sells fritters outside his house, until he’s robbed and sets out for the big city to get his money back. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

Rotating Square (2002) Egypt
Dir. Ahmed Hassouna
A surrealist comedy about a couple packing to move to the US where they intend to open a restaurant, but a series unexpected events leads to seduction, murder, and the disposal of dead bodies. In Arabic with English subtitles.


Haitian Program 105min
Fri, Feb 16 at 4:30pm

Haiti: Through My Eyes (2005) 53min Haiti
Dir. Jephte Bastien
This experimental film explores the history of this island once called the pearl of the Antilles. A young African American artist is introduced by Lutza, the sea goddess, to five characters that will take him on a mystical journey in the past, present and future of Haiti.

When Life is a Dream (2005) 52min Canada/Haiti
Directed by Charles Gervais
This documentary follows the journey of three Haitians, one returning from exile, and two others attempting to leave by boat. The film tells a tale of survival, courage, and the search for decent living conditions in a country that is still struggling with the demons of its colonial heritage. In Creole and French with English subtitles.
Brooklyn Stories Program
Fri, Feb 16 at 6:50pm*
*Followed by Q&A with filmmakers

Features the films:
The Meeting (2005)
Directed by Jeremiah Jahi
A man goes to meet his father for the first time, and gets entangled in a drama of anger, hurt, and loss.

One More Try (2006)
Directed by Patrick Ulysse
After years of disappointment, Adrienne finally finds Mr. Right in JC. Although destiny brings them together, Kathy (JC’s fiancée) seems to stand in their way, or so they think!

Bushwick Homecomings (2006)
Directed by Stefanie Joshua
A documentary about a Brooklyn neighborhood in the midst of change. Bushwick, which had one of the highest poverty rates in all of NYC, is now being developed for housing and is seen as an “up and coming” area.
Shoot the Messenger (2006) 100min
Fri, Feb 16 at 9:15pm
Directed by Ngozi Onwurah
With his life in ruins, a laid-off teacher comes to the unhappy conclusion that all of his problems stem from black people—his own community. British-Nigerian director Onwurah and screenwriter Sharon Foster interrogate the notion of black self-image (and self-loathing) with the audacity of a young Spike Lee in this funny, provocative and scathing feature.

Homecoming (2005) 82min
Sat, Feb 17 at 2pm
Directed by Norman Maake, South Africa
Charlie, Thabo, and Peter, three “MK” veterans from the armed branch of the African National Congress, return to post-apartheid South Africa in 1996 after years of exile and find it will not be easy for them to rejoin society. Homecoming draws its plot from the experiences of Zola Maseko, a former ANC soldier. Maake (Soldiers of the Rock) is perhaps the most promising young director from South Africa.

Dry Season (Daratt) (2006) 95min
Sat, Feb 17 at 4:30pm
Dir. Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Chad/France>br> Winner of a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film festival, Daratt is a quest for vengeance in modern-day Africa. A teenager sets out to kill the man who murdered his father, only to find that the former war criminal is now a kindly baker who slowly becomes a father figure to the conflicted boy. In French & Arabic with English subtitles. NY Premiere!

Diary of a Tired Black Man (2006) 100min
Sat, Feb 17 at 6:50pm*
*Followed by Q&A with the director
Dir. Tim Alexander, U.S.A.
Diary of a Tired Black Man has not been released yet, but it’s already causing a stir. This story about the complex relationships between black men and black women follows the life of a successful black man looking for love and the constant challenge he meets in the anger of the black women with whom he gets involved. NY Premiere!
Maria Bethania: Music is Perfume (2005) 84min
Sat, Feb 17 at 9:30pm
Directed by Georges Gachot, Brazil/Switzerland
In his captivating film, Georges Gachot invites us to enter the universe of Maria Bethania, the famous Brazilian singer. A fantastic ensemble of contributors, including Gilberto Gil, Nana Caymmi, and Caetano Veloso, bear witness to some of the greatest music history of our time. In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Masai: The Rain Warriors (2005) 94min
Sun, Feb 18 at 2pm
Directed by Pascal Plisson, France/Kenya
Faced with a drought that endangers their people, Masai elders are convinced that they have been cursed by the Red God of Vengeance. A group of young men must bring back the mane of a lion which appears at every critical period of Masai history to appease the wrath of the Red God and bring back the rains. In Maa with English subtitles.
Leaders of the Caribbean
Sun, Feb 18 at 4:30pm
Features the films:
Frantz Fanon: His Life, His Struggle, His Work (2001) Directed by Cheikh Djemai, Martinique
Frantz Fanon was a psychiatrist from Martinique who became a radical spokesman for the Algerian revolution. This documentary traces the life of one of the great thinkers of the 20th century. In French with English subtitles.

Catch a Fire (1995) Jamaica/U.K.
Directed by Menelik Shabazz
Catch a Fire tells the story of the Jamaican activist Deacon Paul Bogle, often described as a 19th century Malcolm X, who led the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865.
Sorry Ain't Enough (2005) 120min
Sun, Feb 18 at 6:50pm*
*Followed by Q&A with producers
Directed by Emily Blake
Set in present day New York City, Sorry Ain’t Enough is a thought-provoking drama about three lawyers who find themselves trying a case in favor of slavery reparations. The legal team takes apart the legacy of enslavement, leaving no stone unturned and dismissing no opinion in favor of or against reparations in this gripping legal thriller.
Goodbye Momo (Adios Momo) (2005) 100min
Sun, Feb 18 at 9:15pm*
*Free party following screening!
Directed by Leonardo Ricagni
Obdulio is an eleven-year-old street boy who lives with his grandmother and sells newspapers for a living. Obdulio is not interested in going to school until a night watchman introduces him to the world of literacy during the mythical nights of the Uruguayan carnival. In Spanish with English subtitles. Free party following screening!
Haitian Program
Mon, Feb 19 at 2pm
Haiti: Through My Eyes (2005) 53min Haiti
Dir. Jephte Bastien
This experimental film explores the history of this island once called the pearl of the Antilles. A young African American artist is introduced by Lutza, the sea goddess, to five characters that will take him on a mystical journey in the past, present and future of Haiti.

When Life is a Dream (2005) 52min Canada/Haiti
Directed by Charles Gervais
This documentary follows the journey of three Haitians, one returning from exile, and two others attempting to leave by boat. The film tells a tale of survival, courage, and the search for decent living conditions in a country that is still struggling with the demons of its colonial heritage. In Creole and French with English subtitles.
Leaders of the Caribbean
Mon, Feb 19 at 4:30pm
Features the films:
Frantz Fanon: His Life, His Struggle, His Work (2001) Directed by Cheikh Djemai, Martinique
Frantz Fanon was a psychiatrist from Martinique who became a radical spokesman for the Algerian revolution. This documentary traces the life of one of the great thinkers of the 20th century. In French with English subtitles.

Catch a Fire (1995) Jamaica/U.K.
Directed by Menelik Shabazz
Catch a Fire tells the story of the Jamaican activist Deacon Paul Bogle, often described as a 19th century Malcolm X, who led the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865.
Dry Season (Daratt) (2006) 95min
Mon, Feb 19 at 6:50pm
Dir. Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Chad/France>br> Winner of a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film festival, Daratt is a quest for vengeance in modern-day Africa. A teenager sets out to kill the man who murdered his father, only to find that the former war criminal is now a kindly baker who slowly becomes a father figure to the conflicted boy. In French & Arabic with English subtitles. NY Premiere!

Afro-Cuba Yesterday and Today Program
Mon, Feb 19 at 9:15pm
Features the films:
The Last Rumba of Papa Montero (1992) Cuba/Switzerland
Directed by Octavio Cortazar
Cuban history and culture weaves their way through this documentary about one of Cuba’s most popular rumba dancers, Papa Montero, who was assassinated during carnival.

Where is Sara Gomez? (2005) Cuba/Martinique
Directed by Alessandra Muller
A documentary about Sara Gomez, who studied literature, piano, and ethnography before becoming the first female Cuban filmmaker. The film examines a filmmaker who invented new landscapes and brought together opposite worlds. Both films in Spanish with English subtitles.
Afro-Latino Music Program
Tue, Feb 20 at 4:30pm
Features the films:
Sons of Benkos (2003) France
Directed by Lucas Silva
An entertaining documentary that looks at the influence of contemporary African music in Columbia and its connection with traditional Afro-Columbian music.

Hands of God (2004) Peru
Directed by Delia Ackerman
The stunning dexterity and mastery of Afro-Peruvian percussionist Julio “Chocolate” Algendones are on display in this affectionate documentary. Both films in Spanish with English subtitles.
Shoot the Messenger (2006) 100min
Tue, Feb 20 at 6:50pm
Directed by Ngozi Onwurah
With his life in ruins, a laid-off teacher comes to the unhappy conclusion that all of his problems stem from black people—his own community. British-Nigerian director Onwurah and screenwriter Sharon Foster interrogate the notion of black self-image (and self-loathing) with the audacity of a young Spike Lee in this funny, provocative and scathing feature.

Sorry Ain't Enough (2005) 120min
Tue, Feb 20 at 9:15pm*
*Followed by Q&A with producers
Directed by Emily Blake
Set in present day New York City, Sorry Ain’t Enough is a thought-provoking drama about three lawyers who find themselves trying a case in favor of slavery reparations. The legal team takes apart the legacy of enslavement, leaving no stone unturned and dismissing no opinion in favor of or against reparations in this gripping legal thriller.
Homecoming (2005) 82min
Wed, Feb 21 at 4:30pm
Directed by Norman Maake, South Africa
Charlie, Thabo, and Peter, three “MK” veterans from the armed branch of the African National Congress, return to post-apartheid South Africa in 1996 after years of exile and find it will not be easy for them to rejoin society. Homecoming draws its plot from the experiences of Zola Maseko, a former ANC soldier. Maake (Soldiers of the Rock) is perhaps the most promising young director from South Africa.

Afro-Latino Music Program
Wed, Feb 21 at 6:50pm
Features the films:
Sons of Benkos (2003) France
Directed by Lucas Silva
An entertaining documentary that looks at the influence of contemporary African music in Columbia and its connection with traditional Afro-Columbian music.

Hands of God (2004) Peru
Directed by Delia Ackerman
The stunning dexterity and mastery of Afro-Peruvian percussionist Julio “Chocolate” Algendones are on display in this affectionate documentary. Both films in Spanish with English subtitles.
Maria Bethania: Music is Perfume (2005) 84min
Wed, Feb 21 at 9:15pm
Directed by Georges Gachot, Brazil/Switzerland
In his captivating film, Georges Gachot invites us to enter the universe of Maria Bethania, the famous Brazilian singer. A fantastic ensemble of contributors, including Gilberto Gil, Nana Caymmi, and Caetano Veloso, bear witness to some of the greatest music history of our time. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

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