Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is the CEO and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Here, she picks the best African movies of the 21st century.
Pictured, a scene from Kenyan movie From a Whisper.
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From a Whisper
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- "African Oscars" founder picks the best of African cinema
- Among her choices of 21st century African films are "From a Whisper" and "Viva Riva!"
- "Movie makers are now showing a more vibrant Africa," says Peace Anyiam-Osigwe
Editor's note: Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is the CEO and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, and a TED Fellow. Here, she picks her favorite African movies of the 21st century.
(CNN) -- It's hard for me to choose the greatest
African films of the 21st century as the genres and styles of African
cinema have evolved in a big way over the past 20 years or so. Movie
makers are now showing a more vibrant Africa than the Francophone
filmmakers did before them.
I have chosen films that I
loved watching and feel that they are a representative of what is out
there in African cinema -- the rich mix and melting pot that is African
cinema today.
From a Whisper - dir. Wanuri Kahiu, Kenya, 2009
This movie is very real
and deals with the subject of terrorism -- based on the events
surrounding the bomb attacks on the U.S. embassy in Nairobi in 1998. I
liked Ken Ambani's realistic acting and I loved the music. Wanuri Kahiu
is a good director who will go on to make greater films. The
cinematography on this film was exceptional and although for me it had
plot issues, I think in the end it all came together.
Viva Riva! -- dir. Djo Munga, DR Congo, 2010
This is simply a
sophisticated gangster movie. It has raw energy and puts a human face to
all that is happening in the Congo. Sometimes just too real, it is
gritty, fun and a must-watch thriller.
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Sinking Sands - dir. Leila Djansi, Ghana, 2011
This film deals with
domestic violence, but based on the personal journey of a man disfigured
in an accident, which makes him turn against his wife.
Ama K. Abebrese, who
plays the wife, made this film for me and she won Best Actress at the
African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for it, but I felt that director
Leila Djansi made the film engage with the audience in an emotional way,
showing not just the rawness of domestic violence, but taking us
through a range of pain and forgiveness. The film also depicts how women
can immerse themselves in guilt and force themselves to feel like the
guilty party.
Actors Jimmy Jean-Louis
and Abebrese made this film a must watch and Djansi chose the right cast
to make her directing look beautiful. The camera work on this film was
excellent -- a bit dark and grainy, but one thing is for sure: you
cannot watch "Sinking Sands" and not be affected.
White Waters - dir. Izu Ojukwu, Nigeria, 2007
"White Waters" was a
very good movie. It tells the story of a disadvantaged boy who is
discovered as gifted runner. I loved the feel, the music and the fact
that it was about achieving something from nothing.
I loved the
cinematography. Izu Ojukwu, the director and my colleague, is going to
shout as I say this, but I believe he is one of the best
cinematographers Nigeria has and actor O.C. Ukeje was sensational and
made this movie for me.
Mwansa the Great - dir. Rungano Nyoni, Zambia 2011
This is one of those
films that makes Africa great. By showcasing the talents of the children
who make up its cast, it shows off Africa's apparent talent. It's not
just the cast that I enjoyed -- it has lovely directing too.
Moolaade - dir. Ousmane Sembene, Senegal, 2004
Is Nollywood embracing quality?
From solicitor to Nollywood director
"Moolaade" dealt with a
subject that most men would rather not deal with -- female genital
mutilation. But director Ousmane Semebene was not afraid to tackle the
subject and the manner of the film was artistic, yet detailed, and did
not derail the issues that most people in Africa are afraid to confront.
Coming from Sembene it was important, visual and professionally made -- and it pulls at the viewers' heart strings.
Otelo Burning - dir. Sara Blecher, South Africa, 2011
This is one movie I
love, just because of the story line of young black South Africans in
the 1980s excelling in surfing -- a sport that was reserved for the
whites. The sound and picture quality was also excellent, as was the
acting. "Otelo Burning" is one of the best African films I have ever
seen and I feel it should have had a lot more accolades than it did.
Benda Bilili - dir. Renaud Barret, Florent de La Tullaye, DR Congo/France, 2010
This is a great musical
documentary telling the story of Staff Benda Bilili -- a group of
disabled Congolese musicians. The band members start out making a living
on the streets of Kinshasa, before becoming world-famous musicians.
Irapada -- dir. Kunle Afolayan, Nigeria, 2007
I love anything to deal
with African myths and mysticism. This movie may not have the best sound
quality but the storyline was interesting, and it was the first
Nollywood film to make it to mainstream film festivals -- including the
London Film Festival and Pan African Film festival in Los Angeles --
after winning an AMAA (Best Indigenous Film) in 2007.
Ghett'a Life - dir. Chris Browne, Jamaica, 2011
Not strictly an African
movie, but "Ghett'a Life" is one of those films that I just love to
watch. The music in this film is brilliant, and the cinematography too.
It deals with the political violence in Jamaica in a realistic way,
showing that people born in the ghetto can escape.
"Gett'a Life" can be
hard to deal with but when you watch the documentary "Marley" you begin
to understand how politics, music and sports all merge in developing
countries. For me, this movie is in the same league as "Otelo Burning,"
with its message that you can get out of the corner if you really try.
Story line: excellent, acting: brilliant.
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