Unfortunately, M'Mbugu-Schelling ends up creating a film reminiscent of the hour long infomercials which appear at 2 A.M. to solicit audiences for donations to UNICEF. Not surprisingly this film was co funded by UNICEF. While conforming to the standards of protest documentary. "Shida and Matatizo" highlights important issues of child abuse.
In "A Certain Morning," director Fanta Regina Nacro presents an enigmatic and surprising thirteen minute film. Tiga, a Burkinabi farmer, hears a woman calling for help. This simple premise yields a fabulous commentary on cultural differences and responses. "A Certain Morning" was the first film created by a Burkinabi woman. Nacro's creation is a seamless presentation of an incredible tale.
"Wendemi: Child of the Good Lord," directed by S. Pierre Yameogo, and "Neria," directed by God-win Mawuru, elegantly portray African society, mores, and identity.
"Wendemi" focuses on the path of an illegitimate man's search for his true identity after his community does not allow him to marry his love, Pogbi. "Wendemi" falls short of Yamego's goal, a criticism of sexual mores, and degenerates into a slow, plodding low-energy rhythm.
In "Neria," a widow who is victimized by her greedy brothers-in-law, loses her possessions and her children to her possessions and her children to her manipulative brother in law, but finally fights back triumphantly. Mawuru's film was widely acclaimed in the United States during 1993.
There are numerous elements to admire in this movie, but the strength of a mother in the face of restrictive tribal tradition stands out. When Neria's brother-in-law, Phineas, refuses to take her daughter to the hospital as she suffers from appendicitis, Neria carries her to the hospital on her back. Mawuru bravely explores the world of injustice and emerges with the scales of justice balanced.
The African Film Festival reflects the diverse cultural expression in African film. If you do not have time to see all the films. "Gito the Ungrateful" and "The Blue Eyes of Yonta" are the decided highlights. If time permits, "Neria" will inspire," Herstage Africa," "Shida and Matatizc." "A Certain Morning" and "Wendemi: Child of the Good Lord" will farther educate audiences on different African social concerns such as tribal customs, cultural identity, and child abuse. Perhaps the festival presents too much of a good thing--the breadth and depth of films are over whelming Thus festival should be a purely memorable and enjoyable one.