Hey folks, Harry here with the 3rd and final report from Ishmael of the evening, who has had some great movie experiences to share. Now as he says below - this film is really really quite something special - and a chance to see it with its director, Ousmane Sembene... what a treat. Here ya go, this is a film you should seek out!
Dear Harry,
I went to three great movie events here in NYC recently and wondered if you?d be interested in any of them: Tribeca screening of "Night Watch," discussion with Howard Shore, and discussion/screening of Moolaade with the director, Ousmane Sembene.
Moolaade Screening and Discussion with Ousmane Sembene, Walter Reade Theater, April 23, 2005
Anyone who has not seen Moolaade, please do so. It?s a bit of a hard sell: subtitled film about female genital mutilation. Still, it?s manages to be much more uplifting and genuinely funny than you?d expect. The main thing it does to you is inspire you. When Collé Ardo refuses to release the girls who sought protection from "being cut," even when her husband is beating her in front of the entire village, I felt a bit ashamed that there is really nothing I can do to stop the horrific practice of FGM (cutting a woman in such a way that she cannot enjoy sex). The film is extraordinarily involving: I?ve never heard so much applause, gasps, and laughter from an audience during a movie.
It was preceded by a documentary by Dr. Samba Gadjigo about the making of Moolaade. The problems facing African filmmakers saddened me, though obviously not as much as the content of "Moolaade." Somehow, location scouting in an ancient beat-up car and cooling down lights by waving boards at them don?t bother me like systematic subjugation of women. Afterwards, audience members asked questions of Ousmane Sembene (Dr. Gadjigo translated). Dressed in traditional costume and seated cross-legged on the stage, he effortlessly radiated authority, humanity, and decency. He spoke out powerfully in favor of cinema?s power as a political weapon and the good that technology can accomplish. As expected, he excoriated the practice of FGM, though he made it clear that as Africa strives to eliminate the horrific practice, still done in 38 of the 54 countries, it must never try to imitate the U.S. or Europe (big applause line there).
At 81, Mr. Sembene has earned to right to be called the Father of African Cinema. I consider it an honor to share a planet with him, let alone to have seen his movie and heard him speak.
If you use this, call me Ishmael.
