JCC Carthage 2022: La Côte d’Ivoire honorée à travers Naky Sy Savané | A tribute to Côte d’Ivoire through the legendary Navy Sy Savané

Journées Cinématographiques de Carthage

La Côte d’Ivoire honorée à travers Naky Sy Savané
A tribute to Côte d’Ivoire through the legendary Naky Sy Savané 

Source: https://infosdivoire.net/one/journees-cinematographiques-de-carthage-la-cote-divoire-honoree-travers-naky-sy-savane

In the official competition, for feature films, short films or documentaries, Côte d'Ivoire is absent. However, despite this fact, the spotlight is on the land of the Elephants, with a focus on Naky Sy Savane. At the same time actor and director, she is also promoter of the Festilag (International Film Festival of the lakes and lagoons of Abidjan), in Côte d'Ivoire.

Naky Sy Savané will be recognized by the organizers of the JCC, for the quality of her talent and the entirety of her cultural work in cinema in Côte d'Ivoire, in Africa and around the world.

Also president of the Association of African actresses, she will be honored at the same time as many other celebrities of the 7th art. Including, among others, Yamina Bachir Chouikh (Algeria), Mohamed Abderrahman Tazi (Morocco) and Daoud Abdel Sayed (Egypt).

***

En compétition officielle, pour les longs, courts métrages ou documentaire, la Côte d’Ivoire est absente. Mais, en dépit de ce fait, le pays des Eléphants est à l’honneur. Et cela, à travers Naky Sy Savané. Promotrice du Festilag (Festival international du film des lacs et lagunes d’Abidjan), en Côte d’Ivoire.

La comédienne et réalisatrice sera également décorée par les organisateurs des JCC, pour la qualité de son talent, l’ensemble de ses actions en faveur de la promotion du cinéma en Côte d’Ivoire, en Afrique et à travers le monde.

Par ailleurs présidente de l’Association des comédiennes africaines, Naky Sy Savané sera également honorée au même moment que bien d’autres sommités du 7e art. Il s’agit, entre autres, de Yamina Bachir Chouikh (Algérie), Mohamed Abderrahman Tazi (Maroc) et Daoud Abdel Sayed (Egypte).

Image: infosdivoire.net 

Conférence du Pavillon des Cinémas d'Afrique : Programme Tables Rondes : "Porter haut et fort la voix des femmes dans les cinémas d'Afrique" (Women's voices heard loud and clear in the cinemas of Africa)

Porter haut et fort la voix des femmes dans les cinémas d'Afrique

(Women's voices heard loud and clear in the cinemas of Africa)

The first Zoom e-conference of the Pavillon des Cinémas d'Afrique in a Programme of Roundtables organized by the ACA-Agence Culturelle Africaine, was held on 22 June 2020. Producer, director, actress, film critic, came together to discuss their experiences and concerns in the world of cinema.

The 1 hour 34 minute e-conference moderated by journalist Hortense Assaga, included Marie-Clémence Andriamonta-Paes, director and producer, Mouna Ndiaye, actress and festival organizer, Nadia Rais, animation film director, Naky Sy Savané, actress and festival organizer, Fatou Kiné Séne, journalist and president of the Fédération africaine des critiques de cinéma (African federation film critics), Olga Tiyon, production and communication coordinator, 7 jours pour 7 films. The diverse women represented the myriad roles that African women hold within the world of cinema, often multiple. Appearances from audience participants, such as Stéphanie Dongmo, film and cultural critic, writer and blogger as well as other notable francophone film critics on the African continent and in Europe, is indicative of the span of African cinema criticism. Moreover, introducing the ACA e-conference series with a focus on the experiences and concerns of women highlights the growing importance of women's visibility and presence.

Hortense Assaga, introduced the round table by highlighting the eternal question of gender parity. She posed several questions as a point of departure: Here we have women who work to have their voices heard and be recognized as full-fledged members within the profession of cinema. How does this manifest itself in Africa? On other continents? How do these women manage? What are their strategies? How do they ensure that their work is recognized, that their presence matters? How do they experience these practices of gendering? How do they negotiate the myriad discourses and politics of gender?

The exchange unfolded less as a "roundtable" dialogue where the participants interacted with each other, but rather as a moderated discussion fed by questions from Hortense Assaga to individual women. Hence, the more existential aspect of the introductory questions--especially as it relates to practices of gendering--were less developed. At the same time, an array of important issues relevant to film professionals in general were explored, highlighting what many women have often asserted, that while women have concerns that are gender-specific, others are shared by both African women and men. For instance, some of Marie-Clémence Andriamonta-Paes's responses from Hortense Assaga's questions around gender were framed in the context of Euro-centric dominance of ideas and values. Having always partnered with her husband, who is also a film professional, there are daily struggles in general. In addition, film critic Fatou Kiné Sène cautions against always looking through a gendered lens, which may distort the actual merit of a film: "It is merit and not our status as a woman that allows us to "box" in the same category as men." Similarly, animation filmmaker Nadia Rais notes that while women in animation are rare, there is already the question of being an artist, hence, the art form of animation cinema adds to the complexity of the question. Since there are not many animation film festivals, these films are included in the midst of fiction films, though the genre is very different: "We're part of another group, and sometimes we feel like we don't really exist. So our problem is not the issue of being a woman." 

Nonetheless, the gendered question of women's experiences in cinema was firmly rooted throughout the discussion.

Hortense Assaga asks, "as a filmmaker and producer, how does she position herself in the context of gender?" Marie-Clémence Andriamonta-Paes has developed an attitude of perseverance: "Coming from a society where women forge ahead as a matter of course, looking out for the most vulnerable in society is active work... everyday it is necessary to say that being a filmmaker from the South, that these stories are equally important." Nonetheless, she admits that the environment within cinema "is very patriarchal, very concentrated, that there is a dominance of men in positions of power...And hence, many women in the profession are often in a position to have to manage this status of inequality...It is in this context that more must be done to build awareness that this is not normal, to have to obey and serve."

For Naky Sy Savane, being an actress is also being a feminist activist in the context of cinema as a form of engagement, which Hortense Assaga, interprets as a commitment, a way of being part of the struggle. "As a feminist, we can't let things go on like this because there are generations following us. If I have a choice, I take the scenarios that advance the cause of women." Similarly, for actress/filmmaker Maïmouna N’Diaye, "to make films is to speak up and say out loud what many people think but do not dare say, in particular women, children and vulnerable people. I think it is our duty, in fact, to use this tool as a voice and shake up things, as a means to make things change so that we can move forward together." Hortense Assaga highlighted Maïmouna N’Diaye's role as the only African on the main jury at Cannes in 2019. She responded: "I felt a bit alone, but this loneliness allowed me to think of all my sisters, from all over Africa, and it gave me strength. I said to myself I am representing all of these women. I was proud of it and it gave me the strength to do it."

Fatou Kiné Sène, who was elected president of the Dakar-based African Federation of Cinematographic Critics (FACC) in 2019, notes the importance of the association website africine.org in order to give more visibility to all African films. In Senegal, the Films Femmes Afrique festival highlights the works of African women on the continent. In 2013, FACC created the Women's Cinema Month. Similarly, Naky Sy Savané, who is also founder and organizer of the Ivoirian-based FESTILAG, the International Film Festival of Lakes and Lagoons, highlighted the creation of ACAI, l’Association des Comédiennes Africaines de l’Image (Association of African Actresses of the Image).

Olga Tiyon, production and communication coordinator of "7 jours pour 1 film", emphasized the importance of framing gender broadly in all aspects of the filmmaking process: "As a result, by putting more emphasis on gender, it is easier for these women to enter areas in which they did not have easy access."

Video-recorded and uploaded on YouTube on 23 June 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlHF4wQzeHA), excerpts translated into English from the French-language event by Beti Ellerson.

Links to African Women in Cinema Blog articles:

- Marie-Clémence Andriamonta-Paes

- Stéphanie Dongmo

- Mouna Ndiaye

- Nadia Rais

- Naky Sy Savané

- Fatou Kiné Séne

- Olga Tiyon

Programme Tables Rondes ACA-Agence Culturelle Africaine

Jun. 22 juin 2020, 09:00 – ven. 26 juin 2020, 18:00

https://site.evenium.net/6zhjb722/registration

#PREMIERE_CONFERENCE

#22_Juin : Porter haut et fort la voix des femmes dans les cinémas d'Afrique

11h30 – Heure de Paris

Productrice, réalisatrice, actrice, critique de cinéma… La parole est à ces femmes de l’industrie du cinéma pour faire entendre leur combat.

#Participantes :

- Mouna Ndiaye, actrice et réalisatrice

- Naky Sy Savané, actrice et promotrice de festival

- Fatou Kiné Séne, présidente de la Fédération africaine des critiques de cinéma

- Marie-Clémence Andriamonta-Paes, réalisatrice et productrice

#Modératrice : Hortense Assaga, journaliste

Pour participer à la conférence, inscrivez-vous gratuitement en cliquant sur ce lien :

https://site.evenium.net/6zhjb722/registration

LES AUTRES CONFERENCES

#23_juin : Nouvelles opportunités de financement pour les réalisateurs et producteurs des pays ACP

Avec le soutien du Centre national de l’image animée (CNC)

11H30 - Heure de Paris

Modérateur: Olivier Barlet, critique de cinéma

#24_juin : Face à la crise du cinéma liée à la Covid-19, la réponse des Etats.

11h30 - Heure de Paris

Modératrice : Cathérine Ruelle, spécialiste du cinéma africain

#25_juin : un an du projet SENTOO : quel bilan ?

Modérateur : Faissol Gnonlonfin, producteur

11h30 - Heure de Paris

#26_juin : Echanges avec les fondateurs de LAFAAAC, la plateforme digitale qui forme aux métiers des industries créatives

Avec Olivier Pascal, co-fondateur, directeur général de LAFAAAC

12h - Heure de Paris

Pour plus d’infos : aminata@agenceculturelleafricaine.com

#Agence_Culturelle_Africaine #Festival_de_Cannes

First general assembly of African actresses | Première assemblée générale des comédiennes africaines - FESTILAG Côte d'Ivoire - Nov 2019

First general assembly of African actresses | Première assemblée générale des comédiennes africaines - FESTILAG Côte d'Ivoire - Nov 2019

En français sur francetvinfo.fr (voir lien ci-dessous)

The historic general assembly of African actresses took place from 12-16 November 2019 at the FESTILAG Festival international du film des lacs et des lagunes (International Lakes and Lagoons Film Festival) in Côte d'Ivoire. This initiative revives the now defunct L’Association des Actrices Africaines/The Association of African Actresses created in 1989 of which pioneer actress Zalika Souley was elected as the president, in recognition of the role she played in asserting the value of women in the world of African cinema.

Veteran actress, activist and feminist Naky Sy Savane, who helms the festival brought together actresses throughout the continent.

During the festival event tributes were made to the pioneering actresses of African cinema: Hélène Catzaras (Tunisia), Fatoumata Coulibaly (Mali), Anne Kacou Diop (Cote d'Ivoire), Thérèse Mbissine Diop (Senegal), Touria Jabrane (Morocco), Aï Keïta (Burkina Faso), Zalika Souley (Niger), Félicité Wouassi (Cameroon).

francetvinfo.fr:

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/culture-africaine/les-comediennes-africaines-ont-desormais-leur-association-apres-une-assemblee-historique-en-cote-d-ivoire_3704207.html

African Women in Cinema Blog: Updates | Actualités - 13.10.2017 - News around the Internet | Les infos autour de l’Internet

African Women in Cinema Blog

Updates | Actualités

13 – 10 – 2017

News around the Internet |

Les infos autour de l’Internet

Content | Contenu :

Naky Sy Savané

Adélaïde Tata Ouattara

Theresa Traoré Dahlberg

Naky Sy Savané

Naky Sy Savané, la féministe du cinéma ivoirien. Cinelife.

Adélaïde Tata Ouattara

Adélaïde Tata Ouattara : « Accompagner les films en free lance ». Par Claude Forest. 25 septembre 2017. Africultures.

Theresa Traoré Dahlberg

Ouaga Girls, de Theresa Traoré Dahlberg, Figures de résilience. Par Olivier Barlet. 2 October 2017. Africultures.

CALL FOR FILMS | APPEL À FILMS : FESTILAG 2015, ABIDJAN

Call for films | Appel à films : Festilag 2015, Abidjan

http://www.imagesfrancophones.org/ficheMurmure.php?no=18378

English [Français ci-après]

The 4th edition of International Film Festival of the Lakes and Lagoons (Festilag) [Festival International du film des Lacs et Lagunes] will take place from 24 to 28 November 2015 in Abidjan and Grand Bassam (Côte d’Ivoire). Four prizes will be awarded (with possible Special Mentions).

1) Conditions of participation:

- Films by a director of African nationality or whose parents are nationals of one of the 54 countries in Africa or whose film deals with one aspect of Africa.

- Films by a director of a nationality of one of the festival's international partner country: countries of the European Union, Korea, China, India, Canada, USA, Brazil.

2) Films may be fiction, documentary or animation on celluloid or video.

3) Duration of the films is open (short, medium or feature).

4) Production year: unrestricted.

5) Original language: all (African languages ​​or of other origins), provided that there is a copy subtitled in French.

6) All copies of films and documentaries that are sent, whether they are selected or not, will be part of the Archives of International Film Festival of the Lagunes, and will not be returned.

7) Deadline for registration and RECEPTION of works: 31 July 2015, at midnight.

The Grand Prize

1) Grand Prize for Cultural Diversity awarded by the OIF (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie) for the Best Feature Film.

2) Lagunes Award fir Best Documentary.

3) Lagunes Award for Best Short Film.

4) The Lagunewood Award for Best Ivorian film

Registration:

Send the DVD, film synopsis, poster or photo by e-mail to the following address:

International Film Festival Lagunes

28 BP 1193 ABIDJAN 28 - Ivory Coast

Tel / Fax: 00 (225) 07 44 08 19/47 03 66 55 -

France: 00 (33) 4 91 08 49 39/00 (33) 6 59 36 03 27/00 (33) 07 51 56 11 47

festilag.ci@gmail.com

TEAM

Festival President: Naky Sy Savane (photo)

General Delegate of the festival: Kélétigui Coulibaly.

Source:  by Thierno I. Dia 

Images Francophones 

Photo: Naky Sy Savane, Festival President

Credit: DR

CALL FOR FILMS | APPEL À FILMS : FESTILAG 2015, ABIDJAN

[Français]

La 4ème édition du Festival International du film des Lacs et Lagunes (Festilag) se déroulera du 24 au 28 novembre 2015 à Abidjan et Grand-Bassam (Côte d'Ivoire). Quatre prix seront attribués (avec éventuellement des Mentions spéciales).

1) Peut participer :

- tout film dont la réalisatrice ou le réalisateur est de nationalité africaine ou dont les parents sont d'une nationalité d'un des 54 pays d'Afrique ou bien dont le film traite d'un aspect d'Afrique.

- tout film dont la réalisatrice ou le réalisateur est de la nationalité de l'un des pays partenaires internationaux du festival : pays de l'union européenne, Corée, Chine, Inde, Canada, USA, Brésil.

2) Les films peuvent être de fiction, documentaire ou d'animation, en pellicule ou vidéo.

3) Durée des films est libre (court, moyen ou long métrage).

4) Année de production : libre.

5) Langue originale : qu'importe (langues africaines ou d'autres origines), à condition qu'il existe une copie sous-titrée en français.

6) Toutes les copies des films et documentaires présentés, qu'ils soient ou non sélectionnés, feront partie des Archives du Festival International du film des Lagunes, et ne seront pas renvoyées.

7) Date limite d'inscription et de RECEPTION des copies : 31 juillet 2015, à minuit.

Les Grand prix

1) Le Grand prix de la Diversité Culturelle doté par l'OIF au Meilleur Long Métrage.

2) Le Prix des Lagunes du Meilleur Documentaire.

3) Le Prix des Lagunes du Meilleur Court Métrage.

4) Le Prix Lagoonwood du meilleur film ivoirien

Inscription :

Envoi DVD du film, synopsis, affiche ou photo par e-mail à l'adresse suivante :

Festival International du film des Lagunes

28 BP 1193 ABIDJAN 28 - Côte d'Ivoire

Tél/Fax :00(225) 07 44 08 19 / 47 03 66 55 -

France : 00(33) 4 91 08 49 39/ 00 (33) 6 59 36 03 27 / 00(33) 07 51 56 11 47

festilag.ci@gmail.com

ÉQUIPE

Présidente du festival : Naky Sy Savané (photo)

Délégué général du festival : Kélétigui Coulibaly.

Edité par Thierno I. Dia

Images Francophones

Photo : Naky Sy Savané, Présidente du Festival

Crédit : DR

Naky Sy Savane: “Cinema is a vehicle for unity and social cohesion” | Le cinéma est un vecteur de communion et de cohésion social - International Film Festival of the Lagunes – 08-16 - 11 2013 (Côte d'Ivoire)

The second edition of FESTILAG - Festival International du Film des Lagunes 2013 | International Film Festival of the Lagunes will take place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire from 08 to 16 November 2013 under the theme “cinema and national reconciliation”.

Source: Informateur.info by Raval Makouali 30 October 2013   

According to Naky Sy Savané, president of FESTILAG, cinema has its place in Cote d'Ivoire, considering the numerous productions that young people put on the piracy market that is in full swing. “We want to revive movie theatres and outdoor screening venues. Cinema is a vehicle for unity and social cohesion”. The organisers expect more than 200,000 people.

Three types of screenings are on the menu, namely: outdoor screenings for the general public, educational screenings, and those for general audiences in the movie theatre. The festival will tour eight Ivoirian cities: Grand-Bassam, Abidjan, Bouaké, Ferké, Séguéla, Korhogo, Yamoussoukro and Tiassalé. Throughout the nine days, Ivoirian and African films will be in the majority rather than American, Asian and European films. Festilag touches all strata of the population. Naky Sy Savane’s objective of the festival is to re-ignite the population’s desire to go to the movie theatre and to consume local films.

Excerpted from French-language text

La deuxième édition du FESTILAG - Festival International du Film des Lagunes se déroule à Abidjan en Côte d'Ivoire du 08 au 16 novembre 2013 sous le theme : cinéma et reconciliation national.

Source: Informateur.info par Raval Makouali 30 Octobre 2013   

Selon Naky Sy Savané la présidente du FESTILAG, le cinéma a sa place en Cote d'Ivoire, au regard des nombreuses productions que des jeunes mettent sur le marché de la piraterie qui bat son plein. « Nous voulons faire renaitre le cinéma en salle et les projections plein air. Le cinéma est un vecteur de communion et de cohésion social », a-t- elle indiqué. Les organisateurs attendent plus de 200.000 personnes.

Trois types de projections seront au menu, à savoir : les projections plein air grand public, projection destinée aux scolaires et celles tout publique en salle. Le festival va parcourir 8 villes de la Côte d'Ivoire, Grand-Bassam, Abidjan, Bouaké, Ferké, Séguéla, Korhogo, Yamoussoukro et Tiassalé. Sur 9 jours les films ivoiriens et africains vont être diffusés en majorité aux dépens de films américains, asiatiques et européens. Le festilag touche toutes les couches de la population. Redonner le goût du cinéma en salle et faire consommer les films locaux aux populations, c’est l’objectif de Naky Sy Savané à travers ce festival.

Lire l'article dans son intégralité : http://www.informateur.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2749:festilag-2013--objectif-redonner-le-gout-du-cinema-au-public-ivoirien&catid=60:flas-infos CE LIEN N'EST PLUS ACCESSIBLE

(Re)Discover: Naky Sy Savane

(Re)Discover:

Naky Sy Savane, actress, producer, organizer, cultural activist

 

For Naky Sy Savane, being an actress is also being a feminist activist in the context of cinema as a form of engagement. She helms the festival FESTILAG which brought together actresses throughout the continent, inaugurating ACAI (l'Association des Comédiennes Africaines de l'Image (Association of African Actress of the Moving Image). The historic general assembly of African actresses took place from 12-16 November 2019 at the Festival international du film des lacs et des lagunes (International Lakes and Lagoons Film Festival) in Côte d'Ivoire.

 

On this post I will take the opportunity to present excerpts from our interview in 1997 published in my book Sisters of the Screen: Women of Africa on Film, Video and Television, 2000. The contents of the original November 3, 2013 post, "Cinema is a vehicle for unity and social cohesion", published in French, is now included in the original English translation of the same date--Beti Ellerson

 

African women's place in society:

I learned very young that as an African woman I had to defend myself, no one would fight for me. We had to fight, each of us in her own way. At an early age, I handled things on my own. I decided to fight in the best way I could so that the African woman may have the place that she deserves.

The role of African women as actress (recall the interview was held in 1997):
 

Now the African woman is beginning to have a positive role in the cinema. It has started to happen.  Because in the past she was always seen as a secondary character, the great roles were played by men.  We have learned that we must work hard and work a great deal. We are chosen because we have talent.  We have also learned that we must push harder to have roles created for us, scripts that are written with women in mind. We must even go as far as to suggest roles for ourselves.  At the present we do not hesitate to tell a director to create a certain role or that we want to be a certain kind of character.  At least I do not hesitate to do so.

Naky's activism as an actress and her views regarding Female Genital Cutting:

The...film in which I acted La jumelle [The Twin] was by the young director Diabi Lanciné, who really values the African woman and supports the struggles of African women, such as the fight against forced marriage and excision, and the fight for the African woman to have the right to choose her own future.  All these issues were touched upon in his film.

Believe me it was a great pleasure for me to play such a role because there are certain things that we cannot say in Africa.  For instance, the fight against excision, we cannot talk about it, we must each fight in our own way, and as best we can.  For many years, I have been fighting against this practice for my daughter, because she risks being excised...We did not know where to go.  Moreover, I think there is one obligation that I have which is to protect my child and prevent her from being subjected to the practice of excision.

The role that Naky sees for herself as an actress in the struggle against excision:

I am already in the struggle against it.  The fact is that I fight each year for my daughter because it is a continuous battle. You are vulnerable to this practice right up until marriage. However, most people are not ready to listen to this opposition, it is still part of our tradition.  I think the best solution is that each woman in her own work, in her own society, fight to protect her daughter.

 

 

Articles from the African Women in Cinema Blog

Naky Sy Savane: Cinema is a vehicle for unity and social cohesion
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2013/11/naky-sy-savane-cinema-is-vehicle-for.html

African Women in Cinema Confront FGM
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2011/02/african-women-in-cinema-confront-fgm.html

First general assembly of African actresses
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2019/12/first-general-assembly-african-actresses.html

African Women in Cinema Confront FGM

Collé confronts the exciseuses in Moolaadé by Ousmane Sembene

Since the emergence of an international campaign to confront the practice of female genital cutting, African policymakers, feminist groups, grassroots organizations, and cultural producers have developed initiatives to raise consciousness about its harmful effects, especially as it relates to the health and bodily integrity of the woman and girlchild. On 6 February 2003, during a conference organized by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC), First Lady Stella Obasanjo of Nigeria made an official declaration on "Zero Tolerance to FGM." Soon afterwards, the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation was adopted by the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights and thus, the UN-sponsored awareness day of 6 February.

African film professionals have been visible in this effort, both filmmakers and actresses, women and men. Perhaps the most recent film, Moolaadé (2004) by the pioneer of African cinema, the late Ousmane Sembene from Senegal, is emblematic in many ways. One of the most important voices of African cinema used what would be his last film as a cri de coeur. He states: It is not about whether one is for or against the eradication of excision. It is that women in the village do refuse. And this refusal is an act of courage. To stand against a group is sheer madness. But to mobilize the others, that is courage. Daily struggles, one step, then another, then another. This is what brings about the evolution of attitudes. (Référence Sembène (2002) by Yacouba Traoré)

Moolaadé is significant as well for its inclusion of two women who in their private lives advocate for the eradication of the practice. Fatoumata Coulibaly, the embodiment of courage and rebellion in the role of Collé, the heroine, and Naky Sy Savane, as Sanata, the griot. In the 1998 film, La Jumelle by Lanciné Diaby, Naky interprets the role of Awa, a mother who takes her daughter's life rather than have her submit to excision. Her perspectives on female excision add an important viewpoint to the discourse on African women's participation as cultural producers in the eradication of a practice they view as harmful to women and girls.  She had this to say about her role in the film: Believe me it was a great pleasure for me to play such a role because there are certain things that we cannot say in Africa.  For instance, the fight against excision, we cannot talk about it, we must each fight in our own way, and as best we can.  For many years, I have been fighting against this practice for my daughter, because she risks being excised... We did not know where to go. (In Sisters of the Screen by Beti Ellerson). Aware that the practice continues in France among the immigrant population, as director of Groupe femmes pour l'abolition des mutilations sexuelles of Marseille, Naky continues the fight that she led in her country, Côte d'Ivoire. At the intersection of advocacy, activism and cultural production, she wrote a play about "all the types of violence endured by all women": "Femmes déchirées" (Women Torn Apart)1, reflecting on the piece in this way: "traditionally, excision and forced marriage often go hand in hand and since they are cultural issues, one must use cultural tools to deal with them." (Violences coutumières: Une blessure qui ne va jamais guérir)2.

For Fatoumata Coulibaly, who interprets the role of Collé, the formidable heroine of Moolaadé, the film is a reflection of her own life. Having been excised herself, since 1994 she has been actively involved in a woman's association that fights against excision. Similar to the theme of the film, she attempts to raise the consciousness of village dwellers--the village chiefs and excisers alike. As a young radio announcer in the early 1980's she was one of the first women to talk about the harmful effects of excision on the air. After her debut role in Guimba (1994) by Cheick Oumar Sissoko, Fatoumata has hosted the television show "Bee Kunko Do" (This Concerns Everyone). One theme of the week: Excision. The subject always comes back. One day, after meeting Kadidia Sidibé, président of AMSOPT (Association Malienne pour le suivi et pratiques traditionnelle/The Malian Association for the Monitoring of Traditional Customs), Fatoumata began her fight for the excised mothers who die in childbirth and the excised girls who die from hemorrhaging. At present, she has taken on other causes as well, her computer is her weapon. (See: Une star contre l'excision)3.

Chadian filmmaker Zara Mahamat Yacoub, who currently works in radio communication, has used her camera to raise the consciousness of her viewers and to advocate against the practice. After the release of Dilemme au féminin in 1994, she paid a heavy price for her self-defined role as communicator, whose duty is "to inform people and to make them aware of the problems that need attention." Condemned by the Imam's Council on Islamic Affairs, a fatwa was issued against her. While her objective was to present a balanced view of the pros and cons of the practice, it was not excision itself that came under the wrath of the Muslim authorities, but rather that, in presenting the actual procedure, the nude body of a Muslim girl was shown publicly. Though she proceeds with caution, Zara continues as activist, campaigning to raise consciousness about the psychological and physical consequences of female genital cutting.

Whether behind the camera or in front of it, African women understand the importance of culture, of cinema, as a tool, a weapon to combat against customs and practices that have a negative impact on women and all members of society.

See related articles on the African Women in Cinema Blog

Charity Resian Nampaso (Against all odds - Contre toute attente, 2019)
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2019/02/fespaco-2019-against-all-odds-contre.html

Beryl Magoko: In Search of...
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2019/10/ndiva-womens-film-festival-2019-in.html

Zalissa Babaud-Zoungrana : Zamaana, il est temps ! | Zamaana, now is the time !
http://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2013/02/fespaco-2013-zalissa-babaud-zoungrana.html

Beryl Magoko : The Cut
http://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2013/02/fespaco-2013-beryl-magoko-cut.html

 

1. http://femmes-dechirees.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=3 [NO LONGER AVAILABLE]

2. http://www.laprovence.com/article/region/violences-coutumieres-une-blessure-qui-ne-va-jamais-guerir.

3. http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/une-star-contre-l-excision_486952.html?p=4