Africa's Cinematic Masterpieces are Showcased in the UK

From the 30th of October until the 8th of November the 5th Film Africa 10 day film festival will hit the streets of London featuring 60 films from 27 countries. The festival covers a variety of key contemporary themes including the 40 year independence of Lusophone Africa.

The African film festival not only covers the African continent but also includes European and Asian countries in a swathe of fascinating genres. Lamb, directed by Yared ZeLeke, the first Ethiopian film to have been selected for the Cannes Film Festival, is a brand new film hitting the screens in London. It follows the plight of a young Ethiopian boy and his best friend, in this case a sheep, far from home and determined to return. Director Yared ZeLeke has taken the opportunity to promote his beautiful country in his interview with The Guardian where he describes the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa as culturally harmonious. 

Other films include The Sea is Behind, a film directed by Hicham Lasris filmed in Casablanca, Morocco and first shown in Dubai, UAE at the Dubai International Film Festival. The film follows Tarik, a cross dressing man who dances on a horse drawn cart without family or friends in a world where homosexuality is oppressed. All Is Well, an autobiographical account of director Pocas Pascoal, follows the story of two 1980’s Angolan sisters fleeing political strife in hopes for a better life in Portugal.

The Festival, shown over ten screen throughout London, caters to every taste and mood and portrays important contemporary issues surrounding the region. The festival itself was established by the Royal African Society in 2011 in order to develop a greater socio-political understanding and dialogue surrounding key current issues showcased by the Festival.