may2: mama africa

Few feature-length African films get released in the U.S., so it's rare indeed to get to see worthy short films from that vast continent. Mama Africa consists of three such films--all directed by women--and actress-musician Queen Latifah introduces each one. The first, Bridget Pickering's "Uno's World," is from Namibia and centers around Uno (Sophie David), a 25-year-old party girl who falls for a commitment-shy criminal and gives birth to his child. Ngozi Onwurah's "Hang Time" is from Nigeria and concerns poor but promising basketball player Kwami (Brian Birogi), who makes a Faustian deal for a new pair of sneakers. Lastly, Zulfah Otto-Sullies's "Raya," from South Africa, portrays the difficulties facing a single mother attempting to go straight after a stint in prison. All three films present universally difficult moral quandaries that aren't always satisfactorily resolved, but are well acted by talented performers. - Kathleen C. Fennessy, Amazon.com

There seems to be a worldwide demand for a kind of sexiness about women and women’s voices. It is a time of girls; of women in an uninhibited “take me as I am” feel. I like the idea of women being portrayed the way they really are, in their badness, their weakness, their goodness, and their passion. It’s about time. I think "Uno’s World" is about that. - Bridget Pickering, "Uno's World" director

In order for African cinema to grow, it must break out of it’s "Art" ghetto and find stories that appeal to an interna-tional market. Mama Africa has given me the opportunity to direct a story that will remain true to the flavour of the continent and engage an African audience. Hang Time is about the deals people do, wittingly and unwittingly, with the ‘devil’, and the decisions people make in order to achieve their goals. It is about the allure of America, especially from an African perspective. - Ngozi Onwhura, "Hang Time" director

Raya is a story of three generations of women, their struggles, tribulations, and reconciliations. It is a drama of a daughter's innocence redeeming her mother. The Mama Africa project is a turning point for me: a first opportunity to work hands on, on 35mm film format. In the past I have worked mainly in digital video and only attended workshops in film. Now, I could implement the theory, and bring to life my passion for drama. - Zulfah Otto-Sallies, "Raya" director

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