Stolen Kisses – OPENING FILM

A film by Director Khaled EL Hagar.

Synopsis:
Kobolat Masroka - Stolen kisses is a film about youth problems , unemployment, sexual frustration , prostitution , and violence in Cairo; and how young people feel that they cannot marry , and they cannot have jobs , or have normal sexual life , , it’s all about stolen dreams and hopes , The film won 8 international acting awards at Alexandria film festival , 2008 and was number one at the Egyptian box office , the film is still running in Cinema in Egypt until now .
For the fourth month , Stolen Kisses was the most controversial and talked about film in the press in Egypt and Arab counties last year for its direct way of talking about young people and the amount of kisses and sexual scenes which never shown before in Egyptian Cinema , the director Khaled el Hagar got some death threat in some internet sites from fanatics and he did sue one of them to remove the death threat , and they did finally.

Secret Kisses has won 8 acting awards at the Alex International Film Festival 2008. Khaled EL Hagar has won 32 awards in total from the 17 films he has done since 1989.

Film Program 1

Dancing on the Edge

A film by Director Karen Boswell

Synopsis:

Dancing on the Edge is set in rural Mozambique, where traditional gender roles and poverty influence the fight to contain the spread of AIDS. Antonietta is HIV positive and works as an AIDS counselor in the city. But she takes her one healthy daughter to a remote village for initiation into sexuality. After a week of rituals and lessons on how to please a man, the daughter will become a woman and consequently be put at risk to contact HIV. Antonietta struggles with the contradictions of maintaining traditional customs while adapting to the reality of the modern world.

Dancing on the Edge has won 3 international awards for best documentary, and audience awards

Timbila Muzimba

A film by Director Karen Boswell

Synopsis:

Mozambique is well known for its vast and vibrant cultural richness. This film tells the story of Timbila Muzimba, a group of young musicians who have dedicated themselves to creating new and creative rhythms to help further develop the unique music and culture of his country. One of the country’s premier group, Timbila Muzimba successfully blends traditional instruments such as Timbila, African drum another percussion with modern influences for unique and energetic combination of rhythms and sounds.

Jeux D’Enfants (Children’s Games)

A film by Director Mohamed Ben Becher

Synopsis:

Monika and Malek are two sisters, living together in an apartment in the downtown of Tunis. They share their daily life with Samy, a childhood friend. Everything falls apart when Sofyene, the son of AM (uncle) Ibrahim, who is the owner of the building, re-appears after a long absence in France.

He is also the childhood friend with whom Monia, Malek & Samy shared an important part of their life… Their childhood’s love and friendship that was buried and never was admitted, but to resurface.

This film is a world premier for Director Mohamed Ben Becher

Film Program 2

Democracy in Dakar

A film by Directors Ben Herson, Magee McIlvaine & Chris Moore

Synopsis:

Democracy in Dakar is an award winning documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. The film follows rappers, DJ’s, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop’s role on the political process. Originally shot as a seven part documentary mini-series released via the internet – the documentary bridges the gap between hip-hop activism, video journalism and documentary film and explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process.

Democracy in Dakar has won 5 international awards, including best Documentary, and Audience Choice

Jesus the Giant

A film by Director Akin Omotoso

Synopsis:

In Johannesburg, Jesus, a special woman, has to choose between caring for her badly beaten friend or take revenge on the brutal “Giant” who abused her.

Film Program 3 - FREE Public Screening!!

Intonga

A film by Director JJ Van Rensburg

Synopsis:

“Intonga” is the heart warming story of Siviwe, a young man from Fort Beaufort, and his fight for acceptance when he and his mother move to the city after his father dies. This stick fighter from Fort Beaufort is confronted by a local champion boxer “Knuckles”, after his girlfriend Thando shows too much interest in Siviwe. A twist of fate introduces Siviwe to Father Duze who is the local priest and he befriends Siviwe. After too many confrontations with Knuckles, Siviwe decides to take him on at his game, boxing. This is when he meets Bra Sam, a legendary boxing trainer. The priest, the trainer, a secret mentor, and Siviwe begin preparations for the upcoming amateur boxing tournament. The main theme of the film is the rich culture of boxing that is so prevalent to the Mdantsane area.

Intonga is a simple and beautiful African story full of love, confrontations, stunning scenery and many valuable life lessons that will entertain the whole family.

This is a World Premier film for the Toronto African Film & Music Festival. This film was also done in the Xhosa language

Film Program 4

Sabar

A film by Director Chike C. Nwoffiah

Synopsis:

An African American hip-hop girl resists the ancestral call of the Senegalese dance “Sabar”. When she finally gives in, she discovers more than a dance – she finds herself.

Film Program 5

Le Pèlerin de Camp Nou

A film by Director Abakar Chene Massar

Synopsis:

A young soccer player, Majid, Captain of a soccer team in a small town in Chad, enters a duel of wits with his own coach over the heart of the team president’s daughter, Faiza. A steadfast supporter of F.C. Barcelona and consumed with his own dream of playing international soccer, Majid is left to embrace hi dream in a sad and sorrowful mania.

This film is a Toronto Premier for the Toronto African Film & Music Festival

Has God Forsaken Africa? - CLOSING FILM

A film by Director Musa Dieng Kala

Synopsis:

Brussels, August 1999. Two teenagers from Guinea are found dead in the undercarriage of a plane from Conakry. “There’s too much suffering in Africa”, explains a letter in the pocket of one of the young men. Each year, thousands of young Africans like them risk their lives to flee a continent scourged by war and endemic poverty. Many drown or die of cold, hunger and fatigue. Shocked by this growing phenomenon, Musa Dieng Kala returns to his country’s capital with the sore question: “Has God Forgotten Africa?” The answer is bitter.