METENI: THE LOST ONE
Wondessen Deresse, Ethiopia, 2002, 30min.
In Amharic with English Subtitles
Meteni is a young Afar woman with two small children. The Afars are nomads who move with their herds through northeastern Ethiopia, the hottest region on earth. Meteni’s husband lets her move there by herself, while he walks to town to buy chat, a narcotic leaf. Alone, Meteni dismantles the house, moving it and all the family’s possessions by camel to a new campsite. She grinds maize by hand, milks the goats and carries water for miles in searing heat. When she becomes pregnant, she continues her punishing workload with disastrous consequences.

AWAITING FOR MEN 
Katy Léna N’diaye, Senegal/Mauritania/Belgium, 2007, 56min.
In Hassania and French  with English Subtitles
In the haven of Oualata, a red city on the far edge of the Sahara desert, three women practice traditional painting by decorating the walls of the city. In a society apparently dominated by tradition, religion and men, these women unabashedly express themselves freely, discussing the relationship between men and women.           

THIS IS MY AFRICA
Zina Saro-Wiwa, African continent/Nigeria/UK, 2008, 47min.
In English
This Is My Africa is a project that is seeks to change the public dialogue surrounding Africa. By answering an 18-point questionnaire, we hear about the Africa that inhabits 18 people’s memories and personal perspectives. Through these interviewees, we learn about the Africa that has inspired, infuriated and delighted them. We will learn about their favorite food, songs, writers and artists. We will also learn about what they hope Africa will be like in 2060. There is a lot of unexpected passion in these testimonies and these views and ideas that are so passionately conveyed, come at an important time for the continent. Featuring, amongst others, Yinka Shonibare, John Akomfrah, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Colin Firth.   

SHOOT THE MESSENGER
Ngozi Onwurah, Nigeria/UK, 2006, 100min.
In English
Joe is a teacher with a mission - determined to save the black youngsters at his school from a life of gangs, crime and under achievement, whether they like it or not. When a seemingly minor incident rapidly escalates out of control and he loses his job, turns against his own community, descends into madness and hits rock bottom, before realizing he has a lot to learn about love, understanding and a different way of seeing his world.  This thought-provoking and unapologetic film breaks the mold by exposing the debates which are ongoing within the black community. Winner of the Dennis Potter Screenwriting Award and 2 BAFTA TV Awards.

LE CLANDESTIN
Jose Laplaine, Zaire, 1997, 15min.
In French with English subtitles
When an Angolan stowaway lands in Lisbon, he learns that the Europe of his dreams may not be the paradise he imagined. Constantly having to evade a persistent police officer, he begins to long for his homeland. His adventures lead him to realize that for an African, Europe provides no escape from hardship.

PARIS SELON MOUSSA
Cheik Doukouré, Guinea/France, 2003, 96min.
In French with English subtitles
The village’s water pump is on its last legs and Moussa (played by the director Cheik Doukouré) is appointed to go and buy a new one in Paris. On his journey he encounters a plethora of remarkable characters and typical immigrant difficulties: crime, police raids, working at random odd jobs. However, he also experiences the solidarity of their community. This humorous and moving film stirred controversy in France, and was awarded the Human Rights award by the United Nations in 2003.
Post show discussion to follow the screening

COME BACK TO SUDAN
Daniel Junge & Patti Bonnet, Sudan/USA, 29min.
The last time Lado Jurkin, Mabior Mayom, and Deng Dau saw their home and families was when they were eight years old. Flash forward 18 years. Accompanied by their adoptive Colorado mother, Jean Wood, the three undertake an extraordinary journey back home to their villages in war-torn Sudan.

HEARTLINES
Angus Gibson, South Africa, 2006, 95 min.
In English, Zulu, SeSotho and Xhosa with English subtitles
A timely and relevant film, Heartlines is the first feature by the prolific South African filmmaker Angus Gibson. Heartlines is a touching story about second chances, forgiveness and the power of unconditional love. After serving a jail sentence, Manyisa, a young man with a cruel past and uncertain future, is offered a second chance at life. For Manyisa, a convicted thief, a chance at redemption comes along when he is paroled and taken in by a pastor and his family. Pastor Jacob, whose brother Elias died while being part of Bra Stones Boys (a Township Gang), sees something of his late brother in Manyisa. Manyisa is unwittingly drawn into assisting with the church choir, and soon finds himself drawn into the closeness of the family and the congregation. This chance at a new life is threatened by Bra Stone, Manyisa's former crime boss, who has other ideas.
In debt to Bra Stone, Manyisa has to fall back on his old ways to repay him.

Our films have been organized by African Film Festival, Inc. This series has been made possible by the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Sponsored by African and African American Studies in Arts & Sciences, Film and Media Studies in Arts & Sciences, the African Students Association, and the African Students in the School of Social Work. It is funded in part by a grant from the Women’s Society of Washington University.