Trendy Film Report: The 21st New York African Film Festival Celebrates Digital Revival

It’s that time again! The New York African Film Festival is back and this time the celebratory themes are seeped in the relevance of the accessibility of stories that for too long remained buried under the weight of myths and nonchalance.

From May 7-13, you will be able to internalize the offerings courtesy of revolutionary storytellers like Biyi Bandele, whose ambitious adaptation of Half of a Yellow Sun, championed by celebrated Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the most anticipated film of the season and the instituted mascot of the festival. NYAFF audiences will be able to get a sneak peek of the film on May 16, before it officially hits theaters this July. The film stars heavyweights like Oscar-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton and Anika Noni Rose, and it promises to be an almost biblical tendering of the chaotic platform that set the stage for Nigeria in the 1960s, when the turbulent climate of the Biafra war wrecked havoc on familial connections.

Half of a Yellow Sun

Nollywood takes center stage this year, as part of a fitting tribute and recognition of the centenary of Nigeria’s unification. Confusion Na Wa, a dark comedy by Kenneth Gyang will kick things off opening night, and considering that it walked away with the Best Picture Award at the 2013 African Movie Academy Awards, it’s the perfect choice to lead the honored delegation of distinguished works. Ramsey Nouah, who is an established name and beloved staple, leads the cast that includes, OC Ukeje and Gold Ikponmwosa. The plot involves all the themes that embody the essence of what has catapulted Nollywood into a global sensation.

Confusion Na Wa

Another stunning entry is Bastards, a film that will capture the heartstrings of women who have a healthy affinity and devotion to the issues that have plagued our societal image for centuries. Director Deborah Perkin centralized her mission on the Moroccan court system, in an effort to depict the case of an abused single mother, who fights to reclaim the dignity of her daughter who was conceived from an episode of rape.

Bastards

These are just snippets of what to expect this year, as always there is a healthy selection of films to satisfy diverse palettes. One notable is that the festival will be returning to its roots – The Film Society of Lincoln Center, and then it will eventually shift over to the Cinema at the Maysles Documentary Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s BAMcinematek.

Under the banner “Revolution and Liberation in the Digital Age”, the festival highlights the fact that the Diaspora is experiencing a resurgence in a manner that can’t be ignored, which allows for ample access and a level of appreciation that dutifully warrants undiluted attention. AFF Executive Director and NYAFF Founder, Mahen Bonetti, summed up the functionality of this year’s institutionalized slogan, “While America cinema started from popular films and progressed to art house, film in Africa went in reverse, garnering international interest through the art house genre before moving to popular cinema. Consequently, most of the films about Africa during its ‘art house’ phase cornered African cinema into a genre in itself, one that was perhaps not easily accessible”.

The roving streams of technology has been a godsend in more ways than one, and the goal is to revel in the benefits that have been afforded an industry that up until now remained on the sidelines. To indulge in all the reverie, you can head over to the Frieda and Roy Furman Gallery to take in the sights provided by “Digital Africa”, an exibition that will showcase the works of Congolese and American photographers from May 8-13, specifically a series of layouts by the famed photographer Baudouin Mounanda as well as a slew of multi-talented artists from every sphere of the Diaspora.

In order to partake of this year’s festivities, visit www.africanfilmny.org for up to date information and outlined schedules and descriptions.