[Reellife] Free Films and West African Classics

[dave olsen]

The Cinematheque <http://thecinematheque.ca> in Downtown Vancouver has a couple 
of series starting, including two classic West African films screening tonight 
at 8:15pm (as well as on Monday, January 9 at 6:30pm).

The two restorations of Ousmane Sembène, "the father of African Cinema," showing 
tonight are Black Girl and Borom Sarret.

Borom Sarret is a short film depicting a day in the life of a "suburban" Dakar 
worker.  The soundtrack is superb if you love West African music.

Black Girl <http://thecinematheque.ca/black-girl> tells the tale of a young 
Senegalese woman who strikes it big by getting first a child-minding job for a 
white French couple, and then is sent to the south of France to work as their 
housemaid.

Although the acting is adequate and the voiceovers replace live audio, the 
cinematography is stunning in black and white and the stories are classic 
Sembène.  He subtly but vividly portrays the sexism, racism and colonialism 
rampant at the time and which still persists today.

Most importantly, his films are for his people, undermining the unthinking 
belief in modernity, capitalism and civilization, and providing a fresh and 
realistic take on what most West Africans could never experience first hand.

Also at the Cinematheque, starting tomorrow evening, is a year long program of 
free Canadian features. My American Cousin 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/canada-on-screen/my-american-cousin> and When the Day 
Breaks (an animated short by two Emily Carr grads) start off the series at 
7:30pm, with free refreshments and Sandy Wilson (the director of My American 
Cousin) in person.

Other free screenings already scheduled for the next couple of months are:

The Dog Who Stopped the War (La guerre des tuques) 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/canada-on-screen/the-dog-who-stopped-the-war>
Sunday, January 15 @ 1pm

The Bitter Ash + The Supreme Kid 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/canada-on-screen/the-bitter-ash>
Monday, January 30 @ 6:30pm

Manufactured Landscapes + Corral 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/canada-on-screen/manufactured-landscapes>
Monday, February 8 @ 7pm

Les Ordres (Orders) + Rat Life and Diet in North America 
<http://thecinematheque.ca/canada-on-screen/les-ordres>
Sunday, February 19 @ 7pm

Don't forget that the Cinematheque is just one block east of the Hornby 
separated bike lane with lots of bike parking out front. Enjoy!
-- 

Warmly,
dave/
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