On June 10, the award-winning documentary film SEMBENE! will be screened in Accra, Ghana at Jamestown Cafe as a part of The Sembene Across Africa project, a three-day series of free public screenings, house parties and free streamings. SEMBENE! celebrates Ousmane Sembene, the “father of African cinema,” who spent decades shaping a meaningful, visionary cinema for a newly independent Africa. SEMBENE! premiered in competition at the Sundance and Cannes film festivals, has screened throughout the world, and was included in seven best-of-2015 lists, including a top-ten-of-2015 notice from New York magazine.
To date, more than 90 public screenings in 30 countries have been confirmed, with more venues being added on a daily basis. All screenings are provided free of charge with funding from the Ford Foundation, the Sundance Institute, and grassroots efforts.
The project is motivated by Sembene’s desire—unfulfilled in his lifetime after 50 years of focused work—to return African stories to the African people. For decades, during Africa’s colonial period and until African independence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, European-run schools, newspapers, TV, movies and languages were Africa’s dominant cultural forces. African culture was criminalized and marginalized, and many Africans lost connection with their past.
Starting with his first film, Borom Sarret, completed in 1962, Sembene set out to use movies as what he called “an evening school” for Africans. His works revisited history from African perspectives, called out corrupt leaders and celebrated what he called “the heroes of the everyday.”
Sembene spent 50 years making films and writing books in a tireless and forceful attempt to reorient Africans after generations of colonization. Unfortunately, 10 years after his death, Sembene—a true hero of cinema and of self-empowerment—remains unknown to most young Africans.
Similarly, the award-winning biographical documentary SEMBENE!, despite been publicly exhibited, streamed and broadcast around the world, remains difficult for African audiences to access. #SembeneAcrossAfrica is a focused, continent-wide event that will celebrate Sembene’s message of self-empowerment, ownership of one’s own culture and Panafricanism.
“Sembene Across Africa is designed to inspire anyone working for African progress,” said Samba Gadjigo, the director of SEMBENE! and Ousmane Sembene’s official biographer.” This project represents a giant step towards our primary goal: to inject Sembene’s essential legacy of engaged, empowering and progress-minded storytelling back into the African consciousness. Using the new tools of cultural empowerment—digital delivery, social media, grassroots organizing—we hope to share Sembene’s powerful story across an entire continent, to the large audience that will appreciate SEMBENE! the most.”]]>
Buzz
It was unwise for Jackie Appiah to flaunt home, GRA will come after her- Bulldog

Artiste Manager, Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as Bulldog has expressed worry over Jackie Appiah’s decision to flaunt her mansion on social media. (more…)
Buzz
The Grease Guide: Zara616 shares how to grow as a producer and musician

Patrick Mazara, professionally known as Zara616 is a producer known for his works with well-established artist such as Skilla Baby, Baby Smoove, Amaarae, Jdot Breezy, Baby Money, YN Jay and more. He’s always been big on growth and he loves to see people, especially producers thriving. (more…)
Buzz
Popular Hausa movie director, Nura Mustapha Waye dies a shocking and sudden death

Nura Mustapha Waye, a movie director in the Hausa movie industry popularly known as Kannywood, has died. (more…)
Buzz
Mum tells Burna Boy to tone down on the madness as the Afrobeat star turns 31

Bose Ogulu has told her son Burna Boy to “tone down the madness” as she celebrated his birthday. (more…)
Buzz
Perez Musik announces ‘Glorified’ concert with MOG Music, Akese Brempong, Efe Grace and Pita

The Hewale Lala (Song Of strength) hit maker Perez Musik gets ready to have his first-ever major concert. (more…)
Buzz
610Music Unveil Their Artistes, Korsah and Richflow to the World

Kofi Sonny, CEO of 610Music, a direct representative for Universal Music Group in Africa, unveiled two of his newly signed artistes to the world over the weekend. The event pulled in dignitaries from all over the globe to witness what many have dubbed “the birth of greatness.” (more…)
- Buzz1 week ago
Full look inside Jackie Appiah’s luxurious mansion
- Buzz6 days ago
Jackie Appiah’s mansion is 9 years in the making- Randy Abbey
- World News2 days ago
They went viral two years ago when they married after taking part in a wedding, now they are divorced
- Gossip6 days ago
Tracey Boakye puts together a picture slideshow to show off ‘one of her mansions’ online
- Gossip1 week ago
Kizz Daniel refused to collect flowers from a lady at the airport, Zambians slam him!
- Gossip1 week ago
Photos from the burial of Nigerian gospel artist, Osinachi Nwachukwu
- People & Lifestyle1 week ago
Dr Jude Opoku-Agyeman Becomes First Black Plastic Surgeon, Formally Fellowship Trained in Transgender Surgery
- People & Lifestyle6 days ago
The cheapest package for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup from Ghana will cost 37,443.4 cedis ($4,710)
- World News2 days ago
R. Kelly’s lawyer says the music icon has been placed on suicide watch in jail
- Buzz6 days ago
Headless YouTuber: Ghana’s Biggest Anonymous Entertainer
- Buzz6 days ago
I’m blessed at age 31, hence, Jackie Appiah comparison- Tracey Boakye
- World News1 week ago
Fireboy DML, Lil Wayne, Babyface, and more to perform at “BET Awards” 2022