Africa 2020: ASCL & Leiden International Film Festival Screenings

Due to the new COVID-19 measures (3 November) the programme of this event is subject to change. The screening of 'Maki'la' has unfortunately been cancelled. Guests who bought tickets for a physical film screening will receive a refund; they can now watch the films online for free. Check this page regularly for the latest updates.

In the framework of the Africa 2020 year, the ASCL and the Leiden International Film Festival will present a special Africa-programme on 8 November. Three films by African filmmakers coming from three countries that gained their independence 60 years ago, will be screened. The following films will be presented: 

Baamun Nafi/Nafi's Father (Senegal, 2019). Discussant: TBA. Location TBA, 11:15 - 13:00 hrs.

Tierno, the imam of a small town in northern Senegal, wants to prevent his daughter Nafi to marry her cousin Tokara. They want to be free and leave for Dakar to study. This brings Tierno into conflict with his older brother, who aspires to be elected mayor with the help of the leader of a fundamentalist movement. Tierno now tries to save his daughter (as he sees it initially) as well as his town, and a bitter dispute evolves about tradition, progress and the true nature of Islam.
The director wanted to show how violent Islamist fundamentalism could happen even in Senegal, where for centuries a peaceful Islam has been practised, based on tolerance and charity.

The film, which is Pulaar-spoken, won both the Award for Best Film and the Golden Leopard for Contemporary Filmmakers at the Locarno Festival.

Frontières/Borders (Senegal, 2017). Online screening from 12:30 - 14:00 hrs.

Senegalese business woman Adjara develops a friendships with three other women from different countries during a bus journey across West Africa. The journey from Dakar, via Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin to Lagos (Nigeria) is full of complications and the women have to face all kinds of dangers as they accomplish an everyday journey while facing the universal challenge of being independent women.

Eyimofe/This is my Desire (Nigeria, 2020). Online screening from 21:15 - 23:10 hrs.

Set in Lagos, Nigeria, the film follows the stories of Mofe, a factory technician, and Rosa, a hairdresser, on their quest for what they believe will be a better life abroad. They don’t know each other but both face daily misfortunes that threaten their dreams of leaving. They both have a second job at night, Mofe is a night watcher and Rosa works as a bartender. Mofe wants to migrate to Spain, Rosa is looking after her pregnant younger sister and desperate to get them to Italy. A passport, photos and a visa form recurring elements. Do the characters really want to leave their family, their culture, their habits, or do they just yearn for a betterment of their position at home?

More information and tickets can be found on the LIFF website.