The 5th African Film Week to take place in Athens
The Greek Film Archive, the Embassies and Honorary Consulates of African countries are organizing the 5th African Film Week, starting on Thursday, February 25th and until March 2nd.
A total of 14 feature films and a documentary will be screened, from 10 African countries; South Africa, Angola, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan and Tunisia.
The aim is for Greeks to get acquainted with today’s Africa, to recognize it for what it is and for what it can offer; a continent with strong cultural peculiarities, which from north to south is struggling to conquer progress and evolution. Through this rich audiovisual trip to the African continent, emphasizing both the diversity and collegiality, the event aims to build a closer cultural cooperation between Greece and the participating African countries, and their respective cultural organisations, and hopes to create fertile ground for future cooperation in the audiovisual sector .
The opening film to be screened on Thursday, February 25 is “Destiny” (1997, 135΄), directed by Youssef Chanine.
An exciting adventure set in 12th century Andalusia about the life of the philosopher Averroes, the most known commentator of Aristotle, who believed that the Koran is open to interpretation. The film by the veteran Youssef Chanine, part impassionate melodrama and part musical is one of the most popular Egyptian films and it was screened out of competition at the 1997’s Cannes International Film Festival.
On Friday, February 26th director Zeresenay Berhane Mehari will present his film, “Difret” (2014, 99’).
Produced by Angelina Jolie Pitt , the award-winning drama is based on the inspirational true story of a young Ethiopian girl and a tenacious lawyer embroiled in a life-or-death clash between cultural traditions and their country’s advancement of equal rights.
Furthermore, from Angola, the director Manuel Narciso “Tonton” is expected in Athens to present the documentary, “Children Accused of Witchcraft” (2015, 63’).
All screenings will take place at the Greek Film Archive (48, Iera Odos &134-136 Megalou Alexandrou streets) and admission is free.
SOURCE: Greek Film Archives – Embassy of South Africa
PHOTO: “DIFRET”- www.difret.com
