Starting August 28 through September 6 several noteworthy films exploring people, events, and cultures from the continent will screen at ADIFF.
From “Dancing the Twist in Bamako” which explores independence and African socialism in Mali, Guinea-Bissau’s “Nome” to “The First Rasta” which explores the origins of Rastafari, all the films explore political, social and cultural changes.
Set in 1962 Mali, right after the country gained its independence from French colonial rule, “Dancing the Twist in Bamako” captures the vibrant post-colonial era under President Modibo Keïta. ”Nome” follows a young man named Nome who leaves his village to join the guerrilla war for independence in Guinea-Bissau against the Portuguese colonial army.
Directed by Helene Lee, “The First Rasta” is about Leonard Percival Howell who had a revelation concerning the divinity of Haile Selassie, king of Ethiopia, that established the vision for the most popular mystical movement of the 20th century, Rastafarianism. Jailed, ridiculed, Howell, also known as the Gong, established a Rasta community of 4,500 members. His message was later adopted by a young singer named Bob Marley and through Marley’s visions, reggae made its explosion in the music world. Howell died in 1981.
Other movies which will screen at ADIFF include “Paris Noir – African Americans in the City of Light” a documentary on the presence of African Americans in Paris from WWI to the early 1960s.
African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) is a non-profit organization established in 1993 that presents international films focusing on the human experience of people of color.
