Despite the art and film industry being dense with patriarchy and, perhaps, even misogyny, some notable African women have begun to reshape the industry and recast the narrative – the media mogul Mo Abudu and theatre revivalist Bolanle Austen-Peters, make fine cases.
In this Women’s History Month, we celebrate women and the depth of their stories. We share 5 films directed by women as a gentle reminder (if we need reminding) of just how remarkable they are, without question.
Kaddu Beykat – Directed by Safi Faye
PLOT: The 95-minute docudrama tells of the harsh economic reality in Southern Senegal. The male lead, Ngor (Assane Faye) is in love with and wants to wed Columba (Maquette Gueye) but he is unable to afford a wedding. He goes to Dakar where he is exploited. He returns home and shares his ordeal in the Capital with his village. The movie is told in letter form in Faye’s voice.
Death and the King’s Horseman – Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters
Bolanle Austen-Peters’ treatment of the 1975 novel by Wole Soyinka is a fine work of theatre – a true revelation to just how much of a craftsperson Austen-Peters is.
PLOT: The theatrical production, in collaboration with the MTN Foundation, produced and presented at the Terra Kulture stage in May 2021 and early 2022, relives Soyinka’s fictional story based on a true historical event of the Yoruba people during World War II in which the king’s horseman, following the demise of the king, was prevented from committing ritual suicide by the colonial authorities, an action the people consider a defilement of traditional and spiritual norms.
Ayanda – Directed by Sara Blecher
Ayanda is South African director Sara Belcher’s second film following the huge success of her first, Otelo Burning that earned her Best Movie Director at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award. Ayanda won a Special Jury citation at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival.
PLOT: When Ayanda’s father dies, the 21-year old artist (Fulu Mugovhani) takes on the strenuous task of keeping his garage business donning a mechanic’s overalls and amidst age-long gender stereotypes and the possibility of the garage being sold.
Ayanda explores the main character’s relationship with her discouraging family and friends and a dogged devotion to an uncertain business.
The film features Nigeria’s OC Ukeje who plays Ayanda’s boyfriend David.
King of Boys 1- Directed by Kemi Adetiba
The widely received motion picture, King of Boys, obviously needs no introduction. But it isn’t the first time filmmaker and television director Kemi Adetiba’s movie has gained serial popularity. In 2016, she won the hearts of Nigerian movie lovers with her rom-com The Wedding Party which raked in over ₦400 million.
PLOT: King of Boys, or KOB if you like, is a story of business magnate and philanthropist Alhaja Eniola Salami’s (Sola Sobowale) insatiable obsession for power. She meddles in the complex world of politics and finds herself with a criminal burden.
Harriet – Directed by Kasi Lemmons
The multiple-award-winning and well-accoladed motion picture is truly top on the shelf for movies that overtly represent black womanhood. Harriet wasn’t just a biopic of a historical black woman-figure Harriet Tubman, it was also directed by a woman filmmaker of African descent Kasi Lemmons and starred the Nigerian-American actress, Cynthia Erivo. Truly Women’s Day worthy.
PLOT: The story based on Harriet Tubman’s life and brave endeavours rescuing slaves in the heart of America’s 60s racism, tells of how a young woman takes on the reins of liberating her people through the Underground Railroad after she escapes slavery herself.