Film Africa 2024: Opening and Closing Film Announcement
Posted on 14th April, 2024 in News
Opening Film: Dahomey
The kingdom of DAHOMEY (Danxomé in Fon language) is a former African kingdom located in the south of today’s Republic of Benin. It was founded in the 17th century by King Houegbadja. Under his reign and that of his descendants – a three- centuries dynasty – the kingdom was a considerable regional power, with a highly structured local economy, prosperous transatlantic trade, a centralized administration, a system of taxes and a powerful army including the famous Amazon women (Agodjié). In 1892, under the reign of King Behanzin, Colonel Dodds took Abomey, the kingdom’s capital,andin1895,DahomeybecamepartoftheFrenchcolonialempire.Whenitgained independence on August 1st, 1960, the country became the Republic of Dahomey.
ABOMEY, was the «capital» or, more precisely, the seat of the kingdom of Dahomey. The Houegbadja dynasty that reigned from the 17th to the 19th century turned it into a real city-state. Impressive palaces, lively court arts and crafts and Vodun religion practicing could be found on every street corner. Through Abomey city each king made his mark, aligned with their motto: «Dahomey always greater!». With agricultural development and the slave trade, Abomey was a crossroads city. Its palaces with exceptional universal value are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Black Tea
ABDERRAHMANE SISSAKO
Born in Mauritania in 1961 and brought up in Mali, he went to Soviet Union to attend the VGIK film school in Moscow. He shot there his first shorts.
FEATURES-FILMS, SHORTS and DOCUMENTARIES
1989 THE GAME (short)
1992 OCTOBRE (short)
1995 LE CHAMEAU ET LES BÂTONS FLOTTANTS (short)
1996 SABRYA (short)
1997 ROSTOV-LUANDA (documentary)
1998 LIFE ON EARTH
Directors’ Fortnight – Cannes
2002 WAITING FOR HAPPINESS
Un Certain Regard, Cannes Film Festival
2006 BAMAKO
Out-of-competition, Cannes Film Festival
2007 TIYA’S DREAM / 8 (short)
2008 STORIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS
(segment: N’DIMAGU– DIGNITY)
2010 JE VOUS SOUHAITE LA PLUIE (short)
2014 TIMBUKTU
Official Selection, Cannes Film Festival (Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and François Chalais Prize)
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film Nomination
Won 7 Cesar Awards including Best Director, Best Film and Best Screenplay
