Retro : Fespaco, King of Boys, Djagassa, Madame Monsieur… Throwback on everything that happened during the holidays

It’s already back to school, a time of the year that is always a little stressful. It’s never easy to put a stop to the holidays. At Ayila, we are resuming activities by making a non-exhaustive assessment of what happened in the movie industry on the continent during the holidays.

ACTU CINE

Madame, Monsieur Saison 2

It was the series of holidays in Cameroon and in several French-speaking African countries. From Yaoundé to Abidjan via Dakar and Ouagadougou, viewers responded every evening around 4 p.m. to experience the incredible adventures of their heroes. Madame, Monsieur produced and directed by Ebenezer Kepombia a.k.a Mitoumba and broadcast on the A+ channel has captivated the public. If the first season was more focused on the tumultuous relations between several couples, season 2 took a new direction by adding a little thriller side with investigations and murders. The series was also an opportunity to confirm the talent of actresses and actors like Emy Dany Bassong or Eshu Tamwa. It is no coincidence that these two find themselves nominated for the Sotigui Awards 2021. The success of the series can also be explained by the communication strategy put in place by the film crew, but also by the presence of well-known actresses such as Muriel Blanche, Herve Nguetch and many others. Season 3 is already on the way and the casting is scheduled for September 11 in Douala.

Bendskins

Bendskins is one of the films that ended the holidays in Cameroon. Released on August 29 at Place Saint Josué in Yaoundé, this film directed by Narcisse Wandji, attempts to immerse the viewers in the daily life of mototaxi drivers locally called Bendskin. In a previous article we reviewed this film that we had discovered during the screening dedicated to the press. The film continues its course with a release scheduled for September 10, 2021 at the Cinéma Eden in Douala. The film will be also among the films which will be racing for the Yennenga Stallion in November during Fespaco.

Djagassa

On August 25, the public in Ivory Coast discovered the film Djagassa directed by Hyacinthe Hounsou at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. A screening which was full and which received a standing ovation at the end. The film presented in front of an audience made up of average moviegoers but also several professionals deals with child labor in mines. A social film that takes a stand against child labor. The cast includes renowned actors such as Michel Bohiri or Aurelie Eliam. Before its release, the film received the Grand Prix of the 35th edition of the Friborg International Film Festival (FIFF).

Kings of Boys 2

King of Boys released in 2018 made a big impression. This is the least we can say about this film, directed by Kemi Adetiba, which effectively infiltrated the mysteries of the political game of the Nigerian society. The movie, played by an excellent Sola Sobowale, who plays the role of Alhaja Eniola Salami, tells the story of a businesswoman and philanthropist with a dubious past and a promising political future. A character both feared, loved and adored, she finds herself mired in a power struggle that risks seeing her lose everything overnight. With the success of this first installment broadcast on Netflix, the film crew decided to come back with King of Boys 2. But instead of a feature film it’s more of a sequel in the form of a mini series of 7 episodes. of 1 hour each that is offered. You will get what you pay for! The mini series available since August 27, 2021 on Netflix continues its exploration of the complex political world of Nigeria to the delight of viewers.

ON SET

L’Accord

L’Accord is the name of the second feature film by Cameroonian director Frank Thierry Lea Malle. The shooting of this film took place throughout the month of August in Yaoundé. After Innocent(e) in 2019, the director returns once again with a social story that brings together two families from different social classes who tear each other apart after a tragic event. The film brings together a beautiful cast that we will reveal to you in our next editions. But we can already cite among the figures who will mark you in the film Ebenezer Kepombia, Reine Mpouadina, Vanessa Ambassa, Jakin Touwole. The film has started post-production and will likely be released in the first quarter of 2022.

FESTIVALS

Jury Of Fespaco

On July 29, during a press conference, the Fespaco organizing committee unveiled the jury presidents of the different categories of the 27th edition of this pan-African cinema and television meeting in Ouagadougou. 7 well-known figures of African cinema will chair the jury of the 7 categories and will be responsible for giving the various awards with their team. They are: Abderrahmane Sissako (Feature Film Fiction); Jihan El Tahiri (Feature Documentary); Angele Diabang (short films); Salif Traore (school films); Frédéric Lavigne (TV series / animation); Moussa Absa Sene (Burkina); Alain Gomis (Perspectives).

Launching of Ecrans Noirs Films Festivals

The Ecrans Noirs film festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. For a quarter of a century, the festival has brought together filmmakers from all over Africa every year to present their films. To mark this age, the festival team organized on August 20 at the Sawa hotel in Douala the official launch of the silver wedding anniversary of this festival which has become a must in the cinematographic landscape in Central Africa. A launch with great fanfare in the presence of the board of directors of the festival and several media. A few days later, the festival unveiled the official poster for this anniversary edition on social networks. A poster designed by designer Christian Endougou.

Annulation du festival international des films de femmes de Cotonu (FIFF)

The festival was to be held in September 2021. The festival poster had already been revealed as well as the official selection. But due to the resurgence of Covid19 cases in Benin, the country’s authorities have decided to postpone all cultural events until the situation is calmer and under control. A blow for the organizing team, but a reminder of the existence of the pandemic which continues to take its toll. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that next year it will be just a bad memory and that the FIFF can come back in force to make us discover all these many films made by women.