New York African Film Festival Showcases Powerful Voices at Film at Lincoln Center

The acclaimed New York African Film Festival continues its run at Film at Lincoln Center, presenting a compelling selection of films that offer unique perspectives and artistic brilliance. Saturday’s lineup promises to be particularly engaging, with a strong focus on the vibrant creativity emanating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Despite facing historical exploitation for its natural resources, the DRC stands as a testament to artistic resilience, and this year’s festival shines a spotlight on its filmmakers.

Saturday’s Featured Films:

( Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, an actor (Dexter: Resurrection, Lincoln Lawyer, The Chi, Treme), photographer and director.)

1:30 p.m.: Mweze followed by a Q&A with artist Jean-Michel Kibushi

David-Pierre Fila’s thought-provoking documentary, Mweze, offers a profound exploration of the visionary Congolese filmmaker Mweze Ngangura. Through Fila’s lens, the film unfolds as a rich meditation on the interconnectedness of history, politics, cinema, image, and the passage of time. This screening provides a unique opportunity to delve into the world and impact of a significant figure in African cinema, further enriched by a post-screening discussion with artist Jean-Michel Kibushi.

3:45 p.m.: Identity Pieces followed by a Q&A with artist Jean-Michel Kibushi

Continuing the focus on Congolese storytelling, the festival presents Identity Pieces. This film, also featuring a post-screening Q&A with artist Jean-Michel Kibushi, promises another insightful journey into the narratives and artistic expressions emerging from the DRC.

(This collection of short films from South Africa includes Ntokozo Mlaba’s The Passage, Phumi Morare’s Why the Cattle Wait, Michelle Name and Onke Meje’s Intsikelelo Yamanzi, Nduduzo Shandu’s Gogo, Hachimiya Ahamada’s Zanatany, When Soulless Shrouds Whisper, Kgomotso Sekhu’s Shap Shap, and Zoe Ramushu’s Damsel, Not in Distress)

6:30 p.m.: Centerpiece Film – Memories of Love Returned

(A traditional fisherman’s life takes a whimsical turn as he is partnered with a talking fish. Filled with laughter, magic, and the rich culture of Ghana, The Fisherman is a heartwarming tale of family, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a true fisherman.)

The centerpiece film for Saturday is the award-winning documentary Memories of Love Returned, a deeply personal and moving work by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine. Known for his acting roles in acclaimed series such as Dexter: Resurrection, Lincoln Lawyer, The Chi, and Treme, Mwine steps behind the camera to share a remarkable 22-year journey sparked by a chance encounter.

On April 24, 2002, Mwine’s unexpected car trouble in the small Ugandan town of Mbirizi led him to a small photo studio. There, he met photographer Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, whose powerful work documented the lives of his community from the late 1950s until his passing in 2006. This serendipitous meeting blossomed into a profound exploration of Kibaate’s life and photography, revealing its transformative impact not only on Mwine but also on the very community captured through his lens. Executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, this intimate and nuanced documentary has garnered significant recognition, including Best Documentary at the Africa International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the Pan African Film Festival, underscoring the transformative power of photography and human connection.

Don’t miss this exceptional lineup of films on Saturday at the New York African Film Festival, offering powerful stories and unique artistic perspectives from the African continent.