Before the 2006 World Cup was over, many people had already shifted their focus to the 2010 World Cup which will be held in South Africa. With Puma sponsoring the African teams this year and Ghana making a great attempt to reach the finals, no-one can deny Africa’s shift to the spotlight. In 2010 the world will be watching as our leaders try are-branding of Africa. Long looked at as the “dark continent” the upcoming World Cup has forced Africa’s leaders to consider the immense opportunities which come with such an international event. Whatever happens 2010 will be a defining moment for the continent.
Fashion Week African style
Don’t I wish I could’ve attended the recent Nokia Fashion Week in South Africa. But, thanks to Cherryflava.com we got a front row seat. Even Vogue.com was paying attention.
Creating an African film experience
Chadian filmmaker Mahamat-Saleh Haroun is dedicated to his craft. Like many African born filmmakers he is intent of furthering the African experience through film. Using his country, Chad, as a backdrop he is currently at work on another film that puts a face on the people who experience the challenges of living on the continent. A recent Washington Post article talks about the lengths to which he and his crew are going to make his movie Dry Season authentic. To some extent his filmmaking style is more documentary than entertainment. His previous films Bye Bye Africa and Abouna similarly put a face on the 30-year Chadian civil war.
Mr. Haroun is one of many filmmakers who are creating great films without the support or existence of a native filmmaking industry. Besides the virtual nonexistence of a film community and ongoing political repression, many African filmmakers also face the challenge of seeking funding abroad with “many international donors viewing the arts as a luxury in times of food shortages, health crises and other emergencies”. Fueled by their travels and a new access to resources not available in their countries, more and more Africans are using their artistic vision to tell stories of Africa as they have experienced it. Last November in New York City, I got a chance to see one of the movies cited in the Post article, Hip Hop Colony, sweep the H20 (Hip-Hop Odyssey) International Film Festival Odyssey awards, winning the Best Feature Documentary award and the Heineken Emerging Filmmaker Award. Along with Bling: Consequences and Repercussions, Hip Hop Colony was a highlight at the festival, bringing Africa-themed films to the forefront. South African film Tsotsi’s win (Best Foreign Language Film of the Year) at February’s Academy Awards has given African film a new life and with more structure they will stand a better chance of getting funding and distribution to the world.
“Africa has such a terrible image,” said Issa Traoré de Brahima, a filmmaker from Burkina Faso who was working on the Chadian film. “And at the same time, we have so many talented people with artists’ souls. We just wish they didn’t have to leave the continent to earn a living. But in some places that is slowly changing.”
African Film Festival returns to New York
The African Film Festival returns to New York for it’s 13th installment. This year’s theme, Africa in Transition Today, explores contemporary African issues like the effects of war, personal tales of displacement, the HIV/AIDS plague, and the search for reconciliation The Festival will spotlight a wide array of U.S. premieres of internationally-acclaimed films, including Drum starring Taye Diggs from South African director Zola Maseko, which screened at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, and the U.S. premiere of U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, an exquisite adaptation of Bizet’s opera “Carmen†that won the Berlin Film Festival’s Golden Bear Award. Other highlights include the first-ever section spotlighting filmmakers from the Maghreb and a program of short films from South Africa that explores issues of sexuality and gender. The month-long event is co-presented by the African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) and the Film Society at Lincoln Center.
13th Annual New York African Film Festival
When: Wed 4.26 – Mon 5.29
Where: Various locations
Price: $5-10
Schedule: http://www.africanfilmny.org
Nokia picks the Face of Africa for 2006
On April 22 the Nokia Face of Africa 2006 contest will have its final casting in Johannesburg, South Africa. Having covered 12 cities since February, the contest is in its eighth year of selecting a unique model who will reign as the Face of Africa. In countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, Namibia and Nigeria, a scouting team has already chosen a semi-finalist. The winner of the continent-wide search will be chosen on August 13 in Sun City in Johannesburg.
Though the contest has been long running, with Nokia backing the efforts, the winner of the contest will gain more exposure than the winners of the past. Only one model so far has turned her win into an international modeling career, though others continue to work as models. Since winning the contest in 1998 at the age of seventeen, Nigerian model Oluchi Onweagba was awarded a three-year contract by Elite Models Management. Oluchi (as she’s known in the modeling world) has since graced the covers of Italian Vogue, I-D, Elle, Untold, and Surface and has been featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure, and Vogue while working with the who’s-who of the fashion world.
The Nokia Face of Africa 2006 contest is being filmed by South Africa’s M-Net channel for its African lifestyle program Studio 53 and will dedicate three programs in July to the search for Nokia Face of Africa 2006.
Hugh Masekela past and present
South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela is in concert in the USA this month. He will be promoting his latest cd “Revival”. Known throughout the world as one of Africa’s great musicians. Hugh Masekela was one of the first African artists to break into U.S. pop radio. If you’re into a more funky African sound check out “Hugh Masekela: The Chisa Years 1965-1976 (rare and unreleased)†which features rare, unheard tracks from the jazzman’s early years in exile in New York.
Show Dates
04/14/2006
Somerville Theatre
Somerville
Massachusetts
Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square. Show: 8 PM, TIX: $28-35
04/21/2006
African Heritage Celebration
Miami
Florida
04/22/2006
Cape May Jazz Festival
Cape May
New Jersey
Show: 8 PM.
For more information on the Cape May Jazz Festival, visit: ww.capemayjazz.com
Cape Town Fashion Week dates announced
One of the largest gatherings of African fashion talent will take place this July in Cape Town, South Africa. Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week will take place 11th -15th July 2006 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
With the rising interest in African fashion, Cape Town Fashion Week is positioning itself as the gateway to Africa and its fashion talent. Known as the place where many foreigners first experience Africa, Cape Town looks to be the center of African fashion as well. Guest designers, from over ten African countries such as Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, will join local designers such as Stoned Cherrie, and Sun Goddess to showcase their Spring/Summer 06/07 collections.
Sneaker Pimps in South Africa
Freshness Magazine has some pictures of the Sneaker Pimps 2006 Tour which stop in Capetown, South Africa in March. The Sneaker Pimps Exhibition is the worlds largest touring sneaker show featuring up 1000 pairs of rare, limited, artist collaborated sneakers and a collection of sneaker inspired artwork, fashion and photography.
South Africa is becoming quite the gateway to Africa, with major independent and corporate money going into it’s cultural development. Cape Town in particular is getting a lot of media attention with many article in popular magazines highlighting it’s tourist appeal. This is quite a 180 from South Africa’s previous reputation during apartheid. I hope the South Africans are able to take advantage of the attention and keep the money in South Africa.