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CHARLES COLEMAN
Film Programmer for Facets Cinémathèque

Read his feature in the Chicago Reader

June 2011

The Facets Cinémathèque is located at 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. in Chicago. For more information on films playing in the Cinémathèque, please call 773-281-4114. To order advance tickets online, visit the TicketWeb website by clicking here.

The 9th Annual
CHICAGO AFRICAN DIASPORA
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

June 17-23, 2011

The African Diaspora International Film Festival and The Facets Cinémathèque are presenting The 9th Annual Chicago African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF 2011-Chicago), which will be held at Facets from June 17-23. This outstanding event will feature a selection of Black Independent Films from around the world. ADIFF is recognized as one of the most important film festivals depicting an eclectic mix of foreign, independent, classic and urban films representing the human experience of people of color through an extraordinary range of subjects and artistic approaches. ADIFF Chicago 2011 is more relevant than ever as 2011 has been declared "Year of the African Descendant" by the United Nations. Highlighting stories from Canada to Morocco from Brazil to Nigeria as well as several works by independent African American filmmakers, ADIFF Chicago 2011 is poised to be another success in the Windy City.

The 9th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival-Chicago is made possible thanks to the generous support of the following institutions: Cinémathèque, ArtMattan Productions; The DuSable Heritage Association (DHA) in Chicago, the Center for Black Diaspora at DePaul University, the Quebec Government Office – Chicago and The Consulate of Morocco-New York.

TimeOut Chicago    

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OPENING NIGHT FILM!

BLACK HANDS -
TRIAL OF THE ARSONIST SLAVE
(Les mains noires: Procès de
l'esclave incendiaire)

A remarkable documentary that investigates slavery in Canada through the story of Marie-Josèphe Angélique, a slave accused of burning Montreal in 1734. After an epic trial, she was sentenced to death, but was she really guilty or a victim of a conspiracy? This is a hidden part of Canadian history and one must pose the following question: Why does this chapter about racism and capital punishment remain unknown? This fascinating film skillfully combines interviews with historians and reenacments that are shot in the same style as Lars von Trier's Dogville.

Directed by Tetchena Bellange, 2010, Quebec/Canada, 2010, 52 mins. In French with English subtitles.

Facets Film Dialogue

A Q&A with filmmaker Tetchena Bellange and Bianca Bellange will follow the 7 pm screening on Friday, June 17.

Opening Night Film and Reception sponsored by Quebec Government Office – Chicago and Dusable Heritage Association. There will be a special admission fee for this event: $15.00, which includes the reception and film.


YouTube trailer     Official site        

Showtimes:
Fri., June 17 at 7 pm
Sun., June 19 at 3 pm

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ARUGBA

Arugba, the latest film from leading Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani, is about the king of a small town in south-western Nigeria who makes public statements against corruption while instituting economic reforms and embracing foreign investors. But the reforms do not seem to be working and the king, who does not trust anyone, also has a weakness for women, which compromises his leadership. Meanwhile, preparations are being made for a traditional ritual in which a young virgin – the arugba – carries a sacrificial calabash. With superb performances from Awoyemi and some of Nigeria's leading actors, Arugba is a beautifully executed film which functions as an allegory for contemporary Nigeria. Set against the backdrop of a corrupt society seeking cleansing, rebirth and nationhood, with all its attendant intrigues, this film intimately presents a world in which modernity and tradition exist alongside each other but seldom in equilibrium.

Directed by Tunde Kelani, 2008, Nigeria, 97 mins. In Yoruba with English subtitles.

YouTube trailer     Official site     Director's blog        

Showtime:
Fri., June 17 at 9 pm

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DOUBLE FEATURE!

STUBBORN AS A MULE!

An eye opening depiction of lesser known historical facts and contemporary commentary regarding the call for reparations for African-Americans. By revisiting the events that took place between General Sherman's March to the Sea, President Lincoln's assassination, the end of the Civil War, and the unraveling of the promises of Reconstruction, Stubborn As A Mule! sorts fact from fiction and casts the challenges and question of the current reparations debate in a new light. Featuring such intellectual luminaries as Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Robert St. Martin Westley, Dr. Preston T. King, Dr. Charles Elmore, and Dr. Na'Im Akbar, Stubborn As A Mule! takes the viewer on a journey through the atrocities that African-Americans have suffered throughout history.

Directed by Miller Bargeron Jr., 2010, U.S.A., 43 mins.

YouTube trailer        


with:

SLAVE REPARATIONS:
THE FINAL PASSAGE

It is a matter of mis-education and lack of understanding in both the black and white communities that hurts the current slave reparations movement. That is the message of this new documentary, which provides an historical background on the current controversial movement and answers the most often voiced arguments against the payment of reparations to African Americans through interviews with some of the movement's most prominent proponents, including Prof. Manning Marable, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Rev. Herbert Daughtry, Richard E. Barber, and others.

Directed by John Eisler, 2004, U.S.A., 28 mins.

Trailer        

Showtimes:
Sat., June 18 at 2 pm
Sun., June 19 at 7 pm

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MY GIRLFRIEND'S BACK

This romantic comedy shows how a man's perfect life can unravel when a beautiful ex-girlfriend shows up out of the blue. The journey to love can be worth revisiting if the feelings are brought to life once again in this hilarious romp through the reality and complexity of relationships past and present. With Tangi Miller, Malik Yoba, CC H Pounder.

Directed by Steven Ayromlooi, 2011, U.S.A., 81 mins.

YouTube trailer        

Showtime:
Sat., June 18 at 4:30 pm

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GUARDIAN OF EDEN

Michael Raynar (David Ramsey, Outlaw) is in love with his young wife and they are very happy together as well as expecting their first child. This story should end with "happily ever after" but after he meets Kimmy Sardell (Tangi Miller, Love... & Other 4 Letter Words), he goes against his better judgment, and their one-night stand leads to irrevocable consequences. With Persia White (Girlfriends) and Cherie Johnson.

Directed by T. A. Williams, 2011, U.S.A., 90 mins.

Facets Film Dialogue

A Q&A with actress/producer Tangi Miller
will follow the screening: 7:30 pm - 8 pm

Tangi Miller is an American actress, model and dancer. As an actress she is known for the role of Elena Tyler on the popular television drama Felicity and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London as well as at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.


YouTube trailer        

Showtime:
Sat., June 18 at 6 pm

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DANCING FOREVER

Based on Marie Do's autobiographical novel, this absorbing film balances the two dominant factors in its heroine's destiny: her mixed-race heritage and her passion for dance in a consistently upbeat tone that matches its heroine's indomitable spirit.

Directed by Christian Faure, 2009, France, 90 mins. In French with English subtitles.

Variety     Trailer        

Showtimes:
Sat., June 18 at 8:30 pm
Thurs., June 23 at 6:30 pm

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Chicago Premiere

AFRICA UNITED

Touted as the next Slumdog Millionaire, Africa United is a road movie through the heart of Africa. Three Rwandan children set off from Rwanda's Capital City, Kigali, to audition for the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup: Fabrice, a Rwanda football prodigy, his best friend and "manager" Dudu, and his little sister Beatrice. Armed with ingenuity and determination, they defy all of the odds so that Fabrice can finally be part of the "Dream Team". Their travels which include the Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa reveal a side of Africa few people ever see. Africa United is a story of joy, laughter, hope and generosity, as well as the "ubuntu" spirit in which these children make this incredible journey together.

Directed by Debs Gardner-Paterson, 2010, Rwanda/UK/South Africa, 2010, 90 mins. In English.

YouTube trailer     Official site     Guardian UK: director statement        

Showtimes:
Sun., June 19 at 1 pm
Tues., June 21 at 6:30 pm

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SHADOWS OF THE
LYNCHING TREE

The shrouded history of lynching in America is the subject of a powerful new documentary from producer/director Carvin Eison. During the late 19th and much of the 20th centuries, countless numbers of African-Americans were murdered at the end of a rope. This challenging film boldly explores how the legacy of lynching still lives on in the age of Obama. "Let sleeping dogs lie" is a way of saying leave that certain thing alone, it could hurt you. Shadows of the Lynching Tree kicks the sleeping dog and awakens a troublesome past. The dog is awake, will we finally confront the beast or does it return to an uneasy slumber? (Carvin Eison)

Directed by Carvin Eison, U.S.A., 2009, 60 mins. In English. Sponsored by the Center for Black Diaspora at DePaul University.

Facets Film Dialogue

A Q&A with filmmaker Carvin Eison
will follow both screenings.

Official site        

Showtimes:
Sun., June 19 at 5 pm
Mon., June 20 at 6:30 pm

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DOUBLE FEATURE:
AFRO-LATINO MUSIC PROGRAM

HANDS OF GOD
(Las Manos de Dios)

The stunning dexterity and mastery of famous Afro-Peruvian percussionist Julio "Chocolate" Algendones are on display in this affectionate documentary about the great master. Afro-Peruvian music is rooted in multiple rhythms coming from Africa. Mixing the traditional and the contemporary, from cajón to jazz, and taught all over the world, this vital music has contributed to the creative development of numerous artists, including the dance group Peru Negro.

Directed by Delia Ackerman, 2004, Peru, 54 mins. In Spanish with English subtitles.


with:

SONS OF BENKOS
(Los Hijos de Benkos)

An entertaining documentary that explores the African culture of Colombia through music. The film presents the music of the "sons of Benkos," the descendants of Benkos, one of the most important Black leaders in the fight for freedom during the time of slavery in Colombia. This film is also a journey through the evolution of Afro-Colombian music, exploring the fusion of Cuban and contemporary African rhythms with traditional Afro-Colombian music.

Directed by Silva Lucas, 2003, Colombia/France, 52 mins. In Spanish with English subtitles.

YouTube trailer        

Showtimes:
Mon., June 20 at 8:30 pm
Wed., June 22 at 8:30 pm

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MASTER LEOPOLDINA

This musical documentary features one of the oldest and most accomplished practitioners of the capoeira, Master Leopoldina, who at 72 years of age, continues to embody the grace and philosohical resonance of the art. Originally derived from Bantu and Yoruba traditions shipped over with the slaves to the port of Rio de Janeiro, the capoeira, which combines the physical and mental discipline of a martial art with the exuberance of dance, has long held great significance as a form of subtle defiance preserving, as it does, the proud culture of the oppressed under the very noses of the oppressors.

Directed by Rose La Creta, 2005, Brazil, 60 mins. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

YouTube trailer        

Showtimes:
Tues., June 21 at 8:30 pm
Thurs., June 23 at 8:30 pm

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TIME OF COMRADES
(Le temps des camarades)

The Time of Comrades is centered on a young Moroccan woman whose life in the 90's is irrevocably altered by her experience on campus and the intense debates she witnesses around Islam and Socialism. A daring portrait of a society going through a tumultuous transformation, The Time of Comrades is a film in which political commitment and love are very much intertwined.

Directed by Mohamed Chrif Tribak, 2009, Morocco, 35mm, 103 mins. In French and Arabic with English subtitles.

YouTube trailer (French subtitles)        

Showtime:
Wed., June 22 at 6:30 pm

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Tickets:

$9 general admission
$15 for Opening Night

Facets membership privileges for free admission are not eligible for the
9th Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival.

For all Cinémathèque inquiries, contact Charles Coleman at 773.281.9075 or charles@facets.org

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