“Princess of Africa” screens at the African Diaspora Film Festival
So, last Sunday, I decided to check out a film that screened at the African Diaspora Film Festival. The festival, which started November 28th, is scheduled to conclude on December 14th. As I’ve been looking at the festival guide, I have been circling those films which spark my interest. I came across Princess of Africa, which is a film by Juan Laguna, shot in both Senegal and Europe. The film juxtaposes two stories: that of Marem, a 14 year-old Senegalese dancer and Sonia, a Spanish dancer. The two have very different lives, but what links them is Marem’s father, Pap Ndiaye, who is also Sonia’s husband. Pap, however has two other wives, in Senegal, who don’t seem to mind that Pap is also married to Sonia. However, the viewer doesn’t really get an insight into what the Senegalese wives think about the arrangement; I wasn’t really buying that they were okay with this. But then again, I wasn’t offered much insight into their lives. » Read more…
Mr. Bones 2: Back From The Past
Mr. Bones 2 is a follow-up to the wildly popular movie, Mr. Bones. This South African movie had a very successful sneak preview, showing to a sellout crowd. The story is about Hekule, the King of Kuvukiland who is given a gemstone by the dying Kunji Balanadin.
Rogério Manjate’s short film ‘I Love You’ wins at Africa In Motion (AIM)
Film has the power to inspire by visually drawing us into the message. Rogério Manjate understands this and helps is feel the power throught his short film. Jamati.com caught up with him to learn more. » Read more…
Djimon Hounsou A Super Hero??
Djimon Hounsou is the voice of the Marvel Comics super hero, The Black Panther, an animated series which is slated to premiere in 2009. The series will be adapted directly from the first six issues of the Marvel Comic written by Reginald Hudlin (issues #1 – #6, “Who Is The Black Panther”).
The movie is the result of a partnership between BET and Marvel Animation. In a press release from BET Networks, Djimon Hounsou stated that, “It’s a blessing for African Americans and minorities to have a Super Hero they can identify with,” said Hounsou. “While the Black Panther is a powerful force for good, he is also a respected world leader who takes pride in his African heritage. He embodies the past and future of his culture, demonstrating the endless possibilities of an Africa that is truly free.” » Read more…
‘JERUSALEM The Promised Land’ – Another Oscar nominee potential
” If you going to steal…..Steal big, and hope like hell you get away with it”
Another Oscar nominee potential is causing a big buzz in the movie industry since its release, ‘Jerusalem – The Promised Land‘ , a South African movie about a young boy growing up in the poor streets of Soweto , Johannesburg. Born in the apartheid era and from an underprivileged family, Lucky Kunene’s dreams of being wealthy seemed too unrealistic as the odd’s were against him at first.
Determined to obtain the wealth he always dreamed of, Lucky knew that working menial and dead-end jobs was out of the question and unfortunately, or fortunately for him, faith brought him a Russian-trained, ex-soldier who taught him how to hustle the streets of Johannesburg and transform himself into a well respected entrepreneur. With the police after him (trying to get rid of him since it was considered socially incorrect for a black man to be wealthy during that era) Kunene makes an escape with a plane to re-invent himself into a bigger, stronger and, most importantly, more respected person in society.
» Read more…
Blacks Without Borders Expand Their Horizons
‘Blacks Without Borders’ has been making an impact on all those who watch it. The film focuses on the achievements of African-Americans in South Africa and shows that Africa is more than just a continent riddled with disease and war. Jamati.com caught up with Judy Bailey and Stafford Bailey to learn more about their journey to the movie.
Filmmaker Shalini Kantayya heats things up with her latest film RED
Jamati: Thank you Shalini for granting Jamati this interview. Can you let the readers know a little bit about yourself?
I am a filmmaker, eco-activist, and reality show survivor committed to using media as a tool to transform culture. » Read more…
David Oyelowo to play Muddy Waters in ‘Who Do You Love’
Wilson Morales at Black Voices is reporting that actor David Oyelowo (A Raisin In The Sun, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, The Last King of Scotland) will play Blues musician, Muddy Waters, in a film about Leonard Chess, record producer and founder of Chess Records. Chess Records was considered the pre-eminent Blues label of the 50s and 60s. Who Do You Love stars Oyelowo, Chi McBride, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Alessandro Nivola, Lisa Goldstein, Jon Abrahams, and Marika Dominiczyk. Written by Peter Martin Wortmann and Robert Conte and directed by Jerry Zaks, Who Do You Love was shot in New Orleans, the home of Jazz music. » Read more…
Blacks Without Borders
We often hear of people leaving Africa to find their fortune abroad, but how often do you get a chance to go to Africa to make a decent, or above-average, living?
Sophie Okonedo to star in ‘The Secret Life of Bees’
Based on the 2002 best selling novel by author Sue Monk Kidd, the cast includes Sophie Okonedo, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Nate Parker and Tristan Wilds. The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball, Disappearing Acts). » Read more…
Idris Elba and Thandie Newton in RocknRolla
Idris Elba and Thandie Newton will be in the new movie about a Russian mobster who orchestrates a crooked land deal, putting millions of dollars up for grabs and attracting all of London’s criminal underworld. A dangerous crime lord, a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and a band of petty thieves are among those who work really hard to double-cross one another.
The movies features a star studded cast including Gerard Butler, Jeremy Piven, Ludacris (yes, Ludacris!), and Jamie Campbell Bower give their all to the movie. Thandie is the sexy accountant (in case you weren’t sure). Overall it will be interesting to see what the viewers think of the movie–A Guy Ritchie production in the vein of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels“. The movie is slated to premiere sometime in September or October of 2008. » Read more…
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
-
June 22 - 24, 2010
2010 Africa Business Conference and Trade Fair
USA - North East
-
July 10, 2010
Talent-ED
USA - North East
-
March 22, 2010
A “Tribute to Mama Afrika: Miriam Makeba”
USA - North East
-
July 14 - 17, 2010
Africa Fashion Week New York (AFWNY) in New York
USA - North East
See more African Events | Submit Your Own
Browse by Region
- Asia (2)
- Australia (2)
- Canada (1)
- Central Africa (3)
- East Africa (9)
- South Africa (9)
- UK (15)
- USA – Mid West (4)
- USA – North East (126)
- USA – North West (3)
- USA – South East (23)
- USA – South West (5)
- USA – West Coast (5)
- West Africa (16)
- West Europe (14)
