“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>Showcasing the many facets of African life from a global perspective was certainly a goal when Ephrem Andemariam and Niyi Coker came together to create the Africa World Documentary Film Festival four years ago. But the mission was much deeper.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>As they present experiences from four continents and a host of subjects, Andemariam and Coker hope to create a connection and solidarity among the people in the African Diaspora. Living in St. Louis as natives of Ethiopia/Eritrea and Nigeria, respectively, the two have a keen and kindred interest in bringing the African and African-American communities together.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“We have so much in common,” Andemariam said. “If we could just come together, we would see that.”
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The festival began as a competition and showcase at UMSL to encourage black people from everywhere to use film as a vehicle for African traditions of sharing struggles, history and perspectives through storytelling.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>It has since grown to become a featured event in U.S., Barbados and Cameroon. And when it returns to St. Louis this weekend at the Missouri History Museum, guests will see themselves in the films that reflect all aspects of life – politics, parenting, war, visual arts, sports, music, history, struggle, civil rights and AIDS.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Adjusting to life in a new land, living through the aftermath of natural disaster, and the struggle of an oppressed people to gain civil rights describes The Great Migration, Hurricane Katrina and Jim Crow. But festival guests will see these definitively African-American experiences in the United States are shared in a host of countries – including the triumphant survival of apartheid, African refugees arriving in Canada and a fallout from a Montserrat volcano.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“We are the same people with the same story,” Coker said. “We have the same heart.”
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Coker used historical references as he presented his case.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“Why are so many African Americans Baptist?” Coker said. “It is the water. When you look at Vodun, Santeria and
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;” lang= “EN” xml:lang=”EN”>Candomblé Jeje – religions from all over the world with roots in African culture – the power is in the water.”
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;” lang= “EN” xml:lang=”EN”>The films of the festival – which also feature a few from the African-American perspective – further drive home his point.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;” lang= “EN” xml:lang=”EN”>Lana Lovell’s Resilience: Stories of Single Black Mothers sounds like the African-American family structure system. But Canadian black women are the face of this film. These women discuss the challenges and consequences of being forced to assume mother and father roles while balancing love, life, work.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Through his world travels as an educator, scholar, playwright and filmmaker, Coker has seen first-hand that the songs of the Diaspora are sung in sync.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Thanks to the Africa World Documentary Film Festival, Africans and African Americans have an invaluable opportunity to view our likeness without leaving our comfort zones.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>“Over the years, the festival brings out mostly Africans,” Andemariam said. “So, in a sense, we feel like we are preaching to the choir. We are happy with the support we receive, but I feel like if the African-American community would come, they would see all of the commonalities among all of the people of the Diaspora.”
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The Africa World Documentary Film Festival 2011 will take place from Thurs., May 12 – May 15 at the Missouri History Museum. For more information and a full schedule, visit http://www.africaworldfilmfestival.com/2011/schedule or http://www.mohistory.org/category/event-type/films/special.
