Here in the middle of the American Heartland, St. Louis residents have been afforded the opportunity for not one but two in-depth looks into Africa, the Diaspora and its descendants through two important film festivals simultaneously taking place. Washington University and University of Missouri-St. Louis (working with the St. Louis County Library) are presenting film series that will aid those in search of depth and substance in understanding the African experience.
“I think more important than the story line of each film is the glimpse into the everyday lives of important African cities and towns,” said Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, assistant dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and coordinator of African Studies at Washington University.
She was describing Washington University’s 3rd Annual Film Festival, which will be held March 27-30 on the campus.
The first-hand accounts of African life found in these films will force viewers to slough off stereotypes and misconceptions, while witnessing common bonds and celebrating the differences between descendents of Africa.
“This has been an amazing way to connect the campus with the social, political and cultural experiences of many African countries and individuals,” said Olawale Hassan, president of the African Students Association at Washington University.
This year, the series will consist of four feature films and four short films from eight different African nations, taking on themes of love, gender, family, immigration and the effects of globalization. It will also include a new youth program March 26-27.
Most films have been provided by the African Film Festival, a New York-based not-for-profit dedicated to promoting African arts, literature and culture. The Traveling Film Series, now in its 12th year, highlights an often-neglected part of international film culture, and one frequently overlooked by major film distributors.
For more information and a full listing of films and schedules, visit http://wupa.wustl.edu/africanfilm/, email wtoliver@artsci.wustl.edu or call 935-7879.
Docs at County libraries
“We are trying to educate people and show them that Africa is not just what they see in the mainstream media,” said Ephrem M. Andemariam of the African/African American Studies Center for International Studies at University of Missouri-St. Louis.
“It’s the same thing as with the African-American community – there is more to it than what you hear.”
Through the art of documentary filmmaking, the Africa World Documentary Film Festival is working to promote knowledge of the people of Africa on a worldwide scale. First presented back in October, the festival will continue its presentation of 15 films submitted by filmmakers worldwide at five St. Louis County Library branches throughout the month of March.
All films will be introduced by the festival organizers, who will present background and explanation of the film’s content – which ranges in topic from Somali Bantu families transitioning into 21st century America life, to the Civil Rights Struggle in the U.S. to religious conflicts in Nigeria.
“Through these films, they are trying to convey that there is so much more to Africa than what you see,” Andemariam said. “It is our history, this is part of our heritage. It is part of who we are and we should be proud of it.”
The remaining film screenings are as follows:
Sat., Mar. 22, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., The Imam and the Pastor/ Sisters of Selma: Bearing Witness to Change, Bridgeton Trails Branch 3455 McKelvey Rd., Bridgeton. Sisters of Selma will be introduced by Sister Ibo, who resides in St. Louis and had first-hand experiences participating in the march.
Wed., Mar. 26, 7 p.m., Rain in a Dry Land/ One Family: An Ethiopian Adoption, Headquarters Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
The Library will also host presentations to complement the festival. Tonight (March 20) at 7 p.m., the festival will be presenting Darfur: the Crisis in Sudan. Representatives of the St. Louis Save Darfur Coalition will discuss the background to the crisis in Sudan and the role of activists in St. Louis in responding to the genocide in Darfur. Dr. Jonathon Mark Bird, M.D., who volunteered medical assistance in Darfur, will join them.
On Tuesday, March 25th at 7 p.m. Suzanne LeLaurin, Sr. VP, International Institute of St. Louis, and Gedlu Metafaria, founder of the African Mutual Assistance Association of Missouri, will discuss the topic of African Immigration in the St. Louis Community.
Both events will be held at the Headquarters Branch at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. For more information, call 314-994-3300.
