February 7 — “Bamako,” an African film of challenge and hope
How do filmmakers document and envision the political, economic and social challenges in modern Africa? “Bamako” balances war, displacement and exploitation with rebirth and hope.
When: Thursday February 7, 7:00 PM
Where: Indianapolis Museum of Art DeBoest Lecture Hall 4000 Michigan Road Indianapolis
Bamako (2006) (dir. Abderrahmane Sissako, 115 mins, Mali)
Bamako opens with the image of a village griot (storyteller) ironically silenced by a translation glitch during a legal trial. Both poetic and political, the film makes vivid the personal and cultural effects of globalization on post-colonial Africa. The movie takes place during a trial in Bamako, the capital of Mali, amid the daily life that is going on in the city. In the midst of that trial, two sides argue whether the World Bank and IMF, or perhaps corruption, are guilty of the current financial state of many poverty-stricken African countries. Danny Glover, one of the film’s executive producers, also guest-stars as an actor in a western (called Death in Timbuktu) that some children are watching on the television in one scene.
An official selection of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. French with English subtitles.
If this film sounds interesting, be sure to check out two other African films at IMA: “Days of Glory/Indigènes” February 21 and “The Iron Ladies of Liberia” February 28. And of course, make plans to see the Indianapolis International Film Festival April 23 to May 12.
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:33 pm
[…] February 7 — “Bamako,” an African film of challenge and hope How do filmmakers document and envision the political, economic and social challenges in modern Africa? “Bamako” balances war, displacement and exploitation with rebirth and hope. check it out […]
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
[…] in modern Africa? “Bamako” balances war, displacement and exploitation with rebirth and hope. check it out February 7 — Douglas Hoerr on Urban Greening Rooftop gardens, greenery that connects urban […]