8th African Film Week
8th African Film Week
1-7 April 2019
Africa invites us to engage in the fascinating stories of its people and discover its secrets through the 8th African Film Week, which will be open to the public, in Athens at “Michael Cacoyannis” Foundation from 1st to 7 April 2019 and in Tripolis at Cinéville multicinema, from 11 to 17 April 2019.
At the 8th African Film Week, which is co-organized by the accredited to the Hellenic Republic Embassies and Honorary Consulates of African Countries and the “Michael Cacoyannis” Foundation and the Region of Peloponnese, the viewers will enjoy 12 exciting films from 7 countries. Each year, the launch of the tribute is represented by an African country and this year Morocco will kick off the event.
MOVIE SCHEDULE
Monday 1/4 19:00
Only with invitations
A year among the French (Morocco)
Greek subtitles
The Premiere of the African Film Week will take place with the film A year among the French by Abdelfattah ARROM, Mehdi, 10 years old, goes to Lyautey high school of Casablanca where his teacher, impressed by his intelligence and his thirst for knowledge, has obtained a scholarship from the French government for him. Away from his village in the Atlas, Mehdi thinks himself a member of the Apollo team discovering an unknown planet. Who are these French who live in luxury, adore non edible things, speak without shame and show such an interest in him?
*****
Tuesday 2/4
18:00 Mawlana – The Preacher (Egypt)
English subtitles
In THE PREACHER by Magdy Ahmed Aly, a seemingly traditional journey of a young sheikh in a governmental mosque who moves from leading prayers to becoming a TV celebrity issuing “fatwas” that are accepted by millions who have become fans of his as a result of his courage and his attempts to deviate from the usual religious rhetoric in a society heavily influenced by fundamentalism.
*****
21:00 Supa Modo (Kenya)
English subtitles
In SUPA MODO directed by Sarika Hemi Lakhani, Jo, a witty 9-year old terminally ill girl is taken back to her rural village to live out the rest of her short life. Her only comfort during these dull times are her dreams of being a Superhero, which prove to be something her rebellious teenage sister, overprotective mother and the entire village of think they can fulfill; they plot a genius plan with the goal to make her wish come true.
*****
Wednesday 3/4
18:00 Happiness is a four letter word (South Africa)
Greek subtitles
Happiness is a four letter word by Thabang Moleya, is the story of perfectionist Nandi seems to have the new South African dream life within her grasp: being a partner in a major firm, a marriage and the perfect house – but it all goes up in flames a few months before the wedding. With her friends Zaza and Princess, Nandi will have to find out what truly makes her happy and then fight to get it.
*****
21:00 Benzine (Tunisia)
English subtitles
In Benzine by Sarra Abidi, the story takes place in southern Tunisia, where Salem and Halima spend months waiting for news of their son Ahmed, who has been smuggled overseas to Italy.
*****
Thursday 4/4
18:00 Al Ashiq (Algeria)
English subtitles
In the film AL Ashiq by Amar SIFODIL, the feature film relates the circumstances of the assassination in 1958 of Mohamed-Salah Benmesbah, known as Al Ashiq, young singer from Constantine (North-East of Algeria), found dead in the Rummel gorge. Renowned for being a friend of France, the track privileged by the colonial authorities is that the murder was ordered by the the National Liberation Front but shortly, doubt settles because the artist was not as collaborative as he seemed.
*****
21:00 In the land of wonders (Morocco)
Greek subtitles
In the land of wonders by Jihane EL BAHHAR, a story of Leila Laibidi who is married to a rich man in a remote village. After his death, she was obliged to bring his remains to his hometown. She was accompanied by her driver Abderrahim Boukal, who dreams to join the police. During this journey on the road, she meets several problems with the members of Boukal’s family, and many comic situations: Aicha (Popular singer) and Hassan (Violinist) who suffers from Obsessive-compulsive disorders. The main problem of this journey is their destination
*****
Friday 5/4
18:00 Factory girl (Egypt)
English subtitles
In Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl, 21-year-old Hiyam is an impoverished worker in a Cairo textile factory. When Salah the factory’s new supervisor, becomes attracted to her and a pregnancy comes into play, Hiyam sees an opportunity to take control of her own fate and to move up in the world. But there is a very high price to pay.
*****
21.00 Tunis by night (Tunisia)
Greek subtitles
Ιn Tunis by night, directed by Elyes Baccar, Youssef is on his way for retirement, after more than two decades working for Tunisia national public radio. Somewhere in the town of Sidi Bouzid, a young man sets himself in fire. Youssef is viciously cut off broadcasting during the last issue of “Tunis by night”. As he leaves the radio station, he gets picked up by a police patrol car waiting for him and he spends a few hours in police custody. Amal (his wife) finds refuge again in prayer and the elder brother Amin, tries to put his family’s pieces back together as well as he can. Their youngest daughter Aziza lives completely disconnected from the pace and values of her family.
*****
Saturday 6/4
18:00 A year among the French (Morocco)
Greek subtitles
In the film A year among the French by Abdelfattah ARROM, Mehdi, 10 years old, goes to Lyautey high school of Casablanca where his teacher, impressed by his intelligence and his thirst for knowledge, has obtained a scholarship from the French government for him. Away from his village in the Atlas, Mehdi thinks himself a member of the Apollo team discovering an unknown planet. Who are these French who live in luxury, adore non edible things, speak without shame and show such an interest in him?
*****
21:00 Pop, Lock ‘n Roll (South Africa)
Greek subtitles
In Pop Lock n’Roll by Ziggy Hofmeyr, Raps is an ambitious street style, hip hop dancer from a poor neighbourhood who believes that money is everything. He gets a lucky break and rises as a professional entertainer, but when he falls in love with the beautiful Brazilian wife of the gangster-come-producer who’s making his career, he’ll have to risk career and life to find true happiness.
*****
Sunday 7/4
18:00 Gate of Departure (Egypt)
English subtitles
In Gate of Departure, an Egyptian coming-of-age story, about a young man struggling to break free of the sheltered life he was brought up in.
*****
21:00 Destiny (Ethiopia)
English subtitles
In the film Destiny by Elias Fikru, Menbere, a beautiful Ethiopian girl was born from a wealthy family. She has grown up and graduated. Her boyfriend organized a lovely ceremony to celebrate her graduation. After her graduation ceremony she got a car accident. They took her to the hospital but her doctor felt in love with her.
*****
