The African Oscars

Update #2

Actress Falia Justima arriving at the African Oscars. Falia was the people's choice for favorite actress for her role "Mea Culpa", a film she wrote and executive produced, directed by Samuel Vincent.

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NAFCA (The African Oscars) is happening right now in Los Angeles. And while we're not present, we will be sure to repost pics from Haitian attendees and nominees. Check out pics from filmmakers Jean-Luc Senelier whose film "Of Sentimental Value" is nominated for 4 awards. 

Director Jean-Luc Senelier and guest at the African Oscars.

*Photos Via Jean-Luc Senelier

 "Of Sentimental Value" screened two days ago in Los Angeles and our dear friend and actress Derlyne Joseph snapped some shots for us!

Actress Derlyne Joseph (with her beautiful headpiece) and friends at the screening of "Of Sentimental Value".

Director and cinematographer Jean-Luc Senelier at the screening of his film "Of Sentimental Value."

Chris Rock is a Haitian Hero in "Top Five"

"Top Five" is one of those films where someone writes a check to the filmmaker and says "lay thine hands on this money and go forth and make your movie." It's every filmmaker's dream. No studio or financiers controlling your artistic vision. And truly Chris Rock did whatever the heck he wanted to do in this film and it worked. It is a hilarious movie. It's not pretentious. There's no "message". It's nearly 2 hours of raunchy hilarity. The depth of a couple of characters surprised me. Like Gabrielle Union who plays a superficial reality star. In one scene, she breaks down and I felt her pain for a second. Just a second then back to the funny. Warning: If you're a prude, when the movie gets to Houston 2003, close your eyes. 

Chris Rock plays Andre, a comedian, recovering alcoholic, who is now sober and has decided to do serious movies. His first dramatic movie is called "Uprize", a feature film about Bookman leading the Haitian revolution. Haiti is weaved throughout the film. The Haitian flag appears in several scenes. Unfortunately, no one takes "Uprize" seriously. Some people just can't see this comedian in a serious role. Others are too consumed with his upcoming wedding to a reality star to care about his career. And many are just upset that he would make a movie about killing White people. That joke is repeated throughout. A movie about the greatest slave rebellion of all times, Black slaves killing 50,000 Whites, that was not acceptable. White people were mad. In one scene, Andre says "George Bush killed thousands of Brown people in real life and I can't kill 50, 000 Whites in a movie?" Given the difficulties filmmakers have had to make a movie about the Haitian Revolution, most notably Danny Glover, that part of the film struck a cord with me. 

"Top Five" has numerous very funny bits, including a Seinfeld, Adam Sandler and Whoopie Goldberg cameo. But its most hilarious moment? D.M.X. what y'all really want?!?

The Haitian surprise in "Timbuktu" at the Toronto International Film Festival

Yesterday, I Attended the screening of "Timbuktu", an Abderhamane Sissako film. It is heart wrenchingly beautiful. It depicts, in delicate detail, the beauty of a small village struggling between being African, being Muslim, submitting to rebel extremist rule, yet staying true to one's ancestral African roots. It is most relevant now that the world is learning about ISIS and Boko Haram. Sissako did a fantastic job of telling a love story interwoven with conflict and violence. He artfully depicts the foreign hands at work in conflicts such as the rebel occupation of Timbuktu. 

I've read many reviews of the film, few mention the "Vodou" element and a certain crazy woman. None specify that the character is Haitian. So when I heard Creole and the words "Port-au-Prince" in the film, my heart skipped a beat. This woman was the only one who refused to obey draconian sharia laws requiring her to not just cover her head but wear gloves to cover her hands and socks to cover her feet. Hers was the only home where people could dance (something that was forbidden). She paraded around with a cock on her shoulder, a long train trailing behind her without regard for the rules. She screamed about the earthquake and being cracked and broken. This role is played brilliantly by Kettly Noel.

Cohen Media acquired the US rights to the film after its premiere at Cannes (it won the Ecumenical prize) earlier this year. I sure hope everyone gets to experience this film.