September 9 – October 19, 2023 Ousmane Sembène: An American Cinematheque Centennial Series | CEDDO, XALA, “Tauw,” MANDABI, “Niyae,” BLACK GIRL, MOOLAADÉ, “Borom Sarret,” EMITAÏ and GUELWAAR Los Feliz 3
ABOUT THE SERIES: The American Cinematheque is proud to present this retrospective in celebration of Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène’s centennial with the films that made him the Father of African Cinema. “Europe is not my center.” Born in 1923, Ousman Sembène’s political discipline begins by being expelled from colonial school for indiscipline and continued into adulthood as an active militant in the labor movement where he organized African dock workers. Going on to become a talented and acclaimed writer, Sembène pivots at age 40 to filmmaking after realizing it would be a better tool to mobilize the pre-literate exploited masses. After studying in at the Gorky school in Moscow, Sembène returns to Senegal to make the shorts “Borom Sarret” and “Niaye” along with his debut feature, BLACK GIRL. Winner of the Jean Vigo prize at Cannes, the film explores themes of domination and legacy within the African French colonies. With many countries on the horizon of a new independent world, films like EMITAÏ and CAMP DE THIAROYE examine the growing pains of political independence and a Senegal coming into its own as a nation. Continuing to document the struggle against European colonialism, CEDDO, often called his masterpiece, was briefly banned in the Senegal along with XALA for being overly critical of the government. Both CEDDO and GUELWAAR touch on the influence of religion, mainly Christianity and Islam in the region to create a powerful evocation of African experience. Along with political themes, he also created powerful social commentaries of contemporary Senegalese life with films like “Tauw,” MANDABI, MOOLAADÉ and FAAT KINE, which weigh African tradition and western values. Sembène’s creativity, longevity, and spirit of rebellion shaped African cinema and continues to influence new generations of filmmakers. The endurance of his work lies not only with the still relevant social and political themes, but also with his ability to create a strong and powerful film language of textured miracles that continue to speak to audiences around the world.