Thematic evening: Africa

Made in 1973, Touki Bouki is an interesting example of the 'hybridization,' the mixing, of Western cinema and African story telling traditions. On the one hand, Mambety has been influenced by European film technique and technology. The 'continental non-linearity,' so to speak, and the stylistic self-consciousness of the film are reminiscent of 1960s European cinema. On the other, Mambety has transformed these into an African style and story. Some would argue he has been influenced as much by oral tradition as by cinematic conventions. He begins with Africa, then takes what he needs from Europe, and returns to Africa.

Download the torrent file of Touki Bouki (1973) by Djibril Diop Mambety

"My main goal," Peck explains, "was neither to idealize Lumumba as a hero nor to denounce the CIA, the UN, and Belgium for their roles in his death. It was to make a film that would be of use to the future of Africa and the third world because it showed the mechanism of power. And for that, you have to put everything on the table, including the divisions among the Congolese themselves that allowed external influences to get power."

Download the torrent file of Lumumba, Raoul Peck, 2001

The first History Lesson at SUMMIT non-aligned initiatives in education culture featured a conversation between John Akomfrah and Kodwo Eshun. Black Audio Film Collective was founded at Portsmouth Polytechnic in 1982 by sociology, fine art and psychology students John Akomfrah, Reece Auguiste, Edward George, Lina Gopaul, Avril Johnson, Claire Joseph and Trevor Mathison. The group who later relocated to London produced some of the most influential films and videos of recent times before formerly dissolving in 1988.

We are sitting in my flat watching the war on Iraq on BBC World. The coalition forces continue to talk about “precision bombs” despite the heavy civilian casualties. A friend of mine, a fellow filmmaker, looks at me with a sense of resentment and resignation. He then remarks that it is events like this war that make him question the significance of cinema. I am silent for a while because even though I have felt a sense of futility in making films, I can’t accept the thought. I have lived my life for cinema and the potential it has to effect change.