St. Petersburg, Russia, will host a screening of five African films from South Africa, Angola, Kenya, and Tanzania on July 28-30.
Roskino, a state body representing the Russian industry of audiovisual content on the international markets, is organising African Film Days in St. Petersburg with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation from July 28 to 30, as part of the “Africa. Together into the Future” film festival. The event is part of the second Russia–Africa Summit.
African Film Days are also part of the International Film Days project, which Roskino has been implementing with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The project acquaints Russian audiences with modern films from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and CIS.
The screenings feature a selection of best films from recent years, showcased at numerous international film festivals, garnering multiple awards.
African Film Days at the Aurora Cinema will open with a film from South Africa titled 1960, which is a 2022 musical detective drama from directors Michael Mutombo and King Shaft. The film was named Best South African Feature Film at the 43rd Durban International Film Festival. Michael Mutombo co-created the 2009 cult science fiction thriller District 9, which has more than 30 wins and over 100 nominations at various international film festivals, including 4 Oscar nominations.
The drama Bangarang, directed by Robin Odongo, stands as Kenya’s representative in the selection. The drama is about a poor driver who, after a disputed presidential election in Kenya and street riots, flees into exile for fear of being falsely accused of the death of a six-month-old baby. The film won Best African Feature Film at the 43rd Durban International Film Festival and Best East African Film at the Uganda Film Festival. On July 28, director, Robin Odongo, will take part in the opening ceremony of African Film Days.
The lineup also includes Air Conditioner, a 2020 action drama directed by Mário Bastas from Angola. The film immerses viewers in the atmosphere of Luanda, transmitting its history, and people trying to rebuild their lives after the civil war. The film was presented in the competitive nominations of three festivals: the Saint Paul International Film Festival in Minneapolis (USA), the Friborg International Film Festival (Switzerland) and the Luxembourg Film Festival.
There are two films from Tanzania: the dramas Kijiji Changu and Mwiga, directed by Steven Lino. The 2019 film Kijiji Changu is a story about a love triangle and the disastrous consequences of a woman’s choice. The film received a number of awards, including the award for Best Actor at the American Golden Pictures International Film Festival. Stephen Lino’s new film, Mwiga, is about a young man trying to survive in difficult life circumstances.
