Yesterday was the Opening Night in which the Amaric film subtitled in English, The Athlete [Atletu] was screened. Rasselas Lekew (co-director, writer, producer and the film's star) and Davey Frankel (co-director, writer and producer) were both on hand to share about their fabulous work.
The story is about about Abebe Bikila, an unknown, barefoot Ethiopian who stunned the world by winning the Olympic gold in the marathon and becoming the first black African to do so. But the Olympic glory was only the beginning of the fascinating life story of Abebe Bikila. Rasselas Lakew gives an outstanding performance as Bikila and co-wrote, directed and produced this inspiring, multiple award-winning biopic. The movie is an Official Selection at over 30 film festivals and has already won many awards including, Best of Fest, 2009 Edinburgh Film Festival; Lions Award, 2010 Rotterdam Film Festival and Audience Award, 2010 Bahamas.
A lavish post-screening reception courtesy of Abol Ethiopian Cuisine gave audience members an extra treat. Be sure to have them cater your next event.
Below are pictures. Enjoy!
The Production Team
Friend and Actress/Casting Director, Rekik Teshome
Guests
Guests & Mwiza Munthali Public Outreach Director TransAfrica Forum (sponsor)
MOVIES BEING SCREENED
ARUGBA by DIR/SCR/PROD Tunde Kelani: In this thinly veiled allegory of contemporary Nigeria, a local official rails against corruption while instituting reforms that aren't quite working. As the town prepares to celebrate a customary ritual featuring the virginal Arugba, a young dancer begins to court the young woman. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of a corrupt society seeking cleansing, rebirth and nationhood, revealing a world in which modernity and tradition exist alongside each other but seldom in equilibrium.
GUGU & ANDILE by DIR/SCR Minky Schlesinger; SCR Lodi Matsetela; PROD Bridget Pickering: A modern take on "Romeo and Juliet," this film examines the complex relationship between a Zulu girl, Gugu, and a Xhosa boy, Andile, who find a common bond despite their differences in a small township shortly after the repeal of apartheid. Winner of three African Movie Academy Awards.
BEYOND THE OCEAN [Après l'océan] by DIR/SCR Eliane de Latour: "Two friends from the Ivory Coast try their luck in Europe — with contrasting results — in Eliane de Latour's raucous look at the African immigrant underclass that exists beneath the radar of European society. Fueled by the charismatic performances of its two leads, this film captures the diversity, chaos and drive of undocumented immigrant life, whether African, Caribbean or Bosnian." – Jason Sanders, BAM/PFA
STATE OF VIOLENCE by DIR/SCR Khalo Matabane; PROD Jeremy Nathan, Michelle Wheatley: Bobedi has just been made CEO of a large mining company in Johannesburg. Returning home from a celebration, he and his wife, Joy, discover an intruder in their home, who attacks them and murders Joy. Frustrated by the pace of justice, Bobedi decides to personally avenge her death. The film ultimately reveals that in a country with a violent political past, issues of forgiveness and revenge are far more complex than they seem.
A SCREAMING MAN [Un homme qui crie] DIR/SCR Mahamat-Saleh Haroun; PROD Florence Stern: Adam, a pool attendant, is forced to give up his job, leaving him humiliated and resentful. Meanwhile his country is in the throes of a civil war, with rebel forces attacking the government and the authorities demanding that people contribute to the "war effort" with money or volunteer work. Adam is constantly harassed for his contribution but is penniless. In a moment of weakness, Adam makes a decision that he will forever regret. Winner of the Jury Prize, 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
CONGO IN FOUR ACTS by DIR Dieudo Hamadi, Kiripi Katembo Siku, Patrick Ken Kalala, Divita Wa Lusala; PROD Steven Markovitz, Djo Tunda Wa Munga: Four penetrating cinema verité documentary shorts give harrowing insight into conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Together, these four films form a whole with respect to both style and subject matter. (Courtesy of International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)
SEASONS OF A LIFE by DIR/SCR Charles Shemu Joyah: A couple adopt a child from an orphanage and employ a teenage helper to look after the child. Through a turn of events, the couple adopt a second child born from the illicit relationship between the father and the helper. The young woman who first agreed to the adoption of her son later wants her child back and sues for custody. This is a moving story about sexual abuse, the rights of women, the triumph of hope over despair and the enduring spirit of motherhood. (Courtesy of African Diaspora International Film Festival)
FOR THE BEST AND FOR THE ONION [Pour le meilleur et pour l'oignon] by DIR Elhadj Magori Sani : Shot over the course of a growing season, this closely observed documentary captures the rhythms of onion-farming life in the village of Galmi, and shows how the vagaries of market prices and the harvest can affect the most intimate personal decisions.
For more information visit, http://www.afi.com/silver/new/nowplaying/2011/v8i1/naff11.aspx
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