<\/p>\n
Opening Night with Scheherazade: Tell Me a <\/em>Story at the Hollywood Theatre<\/strong><\/p>\n We open this year\u2019s festival with a tribute to the \u201cArab Spring\u201d: the incredible, infectious explosion of democratic yearning that rocked North Africa last spring and that continues its turbulent trajectory. Though made two years before the events in Cairo\u2019s Tahrir Square would erupt, Scheherazade<\/em> dramatically captures the fusion of oppressive politics, repression, and the desire for freedom and creativity that have fueled the Arab Spring. The film will be preceded by a short celebratory performance by the Jefferson Dancers II.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Guest Directors Reveal the \u201cNew Diaspora\u201d from the Inside<\/strong><\/p>\n This year\u2019s festival features appearances by two young directors who focus on the lives of Africans newly arrived in the United States. Andrew Dosunmu, a filmmaker, photographer, and creative artist raised in Nigeria, will show his acclaimed first feature film, Restless City<\/em>, set in the volatile world of West African immigrants in New York City. In her film Broken Dreams, <\/em>Fathia Absie, a former Voice of America journalist from Somalia, focuses her lens on young Somali-Americans who have \u201cdisappeared\u201d from Minnesota, presumably gone to Somalia to fight for Al-Qaida related groups.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Documentary Films Illuminate the Continent and Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n We again devote Thursday evenings and two Saturday afternoons to documentaries from Africa. This year\u2019s documentary films reveal a number of unexpected topics and issues, including the impact of the growing number of Chinese in Africa, Kinshasa\u2019s magnificent, surprising Kimanguiste Symphony Orchestra, the lost manuscripts of Timbuktu, a different perspective on war trials, and the hidden lives of Somalis living in Maine and Minneapolis.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Centerpiece Film: A Riveting Action Film from the Democratic Republic of the Congo<\/strong><\/p>\n One of last year\u2019s most talked-about international films was the action thriller from Congo, Viva Riva!<\/em> In some ways it represents a new direction for African film. Its very frank presentation of violence, drugs, corruption, and sex in present-day Kinshasa is definitely for adult audiences, but its underlying story of an outsider fighting for recognition and survival against all odds is timeless and universal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSomali Saturday\u201d: The Challenges of New Americans<\/strong><\/p>\n As part of this year\u2019s focus on New Africans in the United States, and in partnership with PCC\u2019s Office of Affirmative Action and Equity and the Somali American Council of Oregon, we present a Saturday afternoon program on February 18 devoted to the unique challenges faced by Somalis who have moved to this country and this region. We will be showing two very strong films\u2014The Letter<\/em> and Broken Dreams<\/em>\u2014followed by a discussion led by director Fathia Absie and members of Portland\u2019s Somali community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Family Film Day <\/em>at <\/em>the Kennedy School with Baba Wagu\u00e9 Diakit\u00e9 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Family Film Day focuses on films that appeal to younger audiences (ages 5 and up). This year\u2019s program is a wonderful group of animated African folk tales, Tinga Tinga Tales<\/em> and Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People\u2019s Ears . . . And More Stories from Africa<\/em>. Artist\/storyteller Baba Wagu\u00e9 Diakit\u00e9 of Mali will carry on the tradition of introducing the film with a traditional story from West Africa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Women Filmmakers Week<\/strong><\/p>\n The final week of the Festival again coincides with Women\u2019s History Month and features three films by women directors, this year with films made in Ghana and Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Opening Night with Scheherazade: Tell Me a Story at the Hollywood Theatre We open this year\u2019s festival with a tribute to the \u201cArab Spring\u201d: the incredible, infectious explosion of democratic yearning that rocked North Africa last spring and that continues its turbulent trajectory. 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