The purpose of the African Women in Cinema Blog is to provide a space to discuss diverse topics relating to African women in cinema--filmmakers, actors, producers, and all film professionals. The blog is a public forum of the Centre for the Study and Research of African Women in Cinema.

Le Blog sur les femmes africaines dans le cinéma est un espace pour l'échange d'informations concernant les réalisatrices, comédiennes, productrices, critiques et toutes professionnelles dans ce domaine. Ceci sert de forum public du Centre pour l'étude et la recherche des femmes africaines dans le cinémas.

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Showing posts with label Sophie Kaboré. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sophie Kaboré. Show all posts

02 January 2018

African women, cinema and LGBT subectivities | Les femmes africaines, le cinéma et des subjectivités LGBT

African women, cinema and LGBT subectivities | Les femmes africaines, le cinéma et des subjectivités LGBT

A key goal of the African Women in Cinema Blog is to feature current research and critical discourse, through interviews, conference proceedings and analyses on relevant topics. Following is a selection of articles regarding LGBT African women or by African women filmmakers on the subject of LGBT subjectivities that have been published on the Blog.

L'un des principaux objectifs du blog des femmes africaines dans le cinéma (African Women in Cinema Blog) est de présenter les informations courantes à travers des interviews, des actes de conférences et des analyses sur des sujets pertinents. Vous trouverez ci-dessous une sélection d'articles sur les femmes africaines LGBT ou des oeuvres faites par des réalisatrices africaines sur le sujet des subjectivités LGBT qui ont été publiées sur le Blog.


 Maryam Touzani: Le Bleu du Caftan | The Blue Caftan. https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2023/01/maryam-touzani-le-bleu-du-caftan-blue.html Halim and Mina, who have been married for a long time, run a traditional caftan shop in the medina of Salé, Morocco. The couple has always lived with Halim's secret, his homosexuality. However, Mina's illness and the arrival of a young apprentice will upset this balance. United in their love, each will help the other to face their fears.

Josza Anjembe : Baltringue | Freed - Towards a self-interrogation | Vers un auto-questionnement. https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2020/05/recent-films-josza-anjembe-baltringue.html.Through this film about homosexual men in prison, Josza Anjembe was able to confront her interiorized lesbophobia and her own homosexuality.

Claudine Ndimbira : Support her film project “Living like a shadow” about the LGBTQ community in Rwanda. https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2018/12/claudine-ndimbira-support-her-film.html
Claudine Ndimbira had this to say about the film project: With this project “Living like a shadow” I want to give the voice to LGBTQ community members in Rwanda to tell their stories, what they have been through, what they wish their lives could be but also to the society so that they say what is the reason why they think being gay is a problem to them.

 Rafiki: to our forbidden love! | à nos amours interdites ! Cannes 2018 (analysis/analyse, Falila Gbadamassi - Africiné)
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.fr/2018/05/rafiki-to-our-forbidden-love-nos-amours.html
A film about love, between two high school girls, which caused its director [Wanuri Kahiu] to be threatened with imprisonment in Kenya. Rafiki, a remarkable drama, is one of three African films in competition at the Un Certain Regard.

Rafiki by/de Wanuri Kahiu : Cannes 2018 - Un Certain Regard https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.fr/2018/04/rafiki-byde-wanuri-kahiu-cannes-2018-un.html
Rafiki is a love story about Kena and Ziki who live in a housing estate in Nairobi. The girls are unlikely friends and their fathers are rivaling politicians. When they fall in love and the community find out, the girls are forced to choose between love and safety.

Nneka Onuorah launches a crowdsourcing campaign for "Rotten Fruit" film project
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.fr/2017/05/nneka-onuorah-launches-crowdsourcing.html
Rotten Fruit centers on the relationship between the LBGTQI community and the attitudes of the Black Church in the United States.

The African Women in Cinema Blog spotlights Nneka Onuorah and her film “The Same Difference” during Women’s History Month
The documentary explores lesbians who discriminate against other lesbians based on gender roles and heteronormative notions of femininity and masculinity.

FESPACO 2017: Normalium by/de Siam Marley (Cote d’Ivoire)
In love with a man in a world where the norm is homosexuality, sixteen-year-old Charlotte will have to be exorcised for her "deviant" behavior. An exorcism authorised by her two mothers.

Amoureuse d’un homme dans un monde où la norme est l’homosexualité, Charlotte, 16 ans, va se faire exorciser pour son comportement "déviant". Un exorcisme approuvé par ses deux mères.

When Alice Diop takes us "towards masculine tenderness" | Quand Alice Diop nous entraîne "vers la tendresse" au masculin by/de Sylvie Braibant – tv5monde

Understanding lesbophobia in West Africa: sixteen women’s voices | Seize voix de femmes pour comprendre la lesbophobie en Afrique de l’Ouest

Frieda Ekotto: For an endogenous critique of representations of African lesbian identity in visual culture and literature

Frieda Ekotto : Pour une critique endogène sur les représentations visuelles et littéraires de l’identité lesbienne africaine

"Difficult Love" by Zanele Muholi
Visual activist Zanele Muholi of South Africa, repositions the African subject that is often represented by others, reclaiming her own space and that of other black lesbians and black South Africans as a whole. Telling her own story and taking ownership of her subject-position, she returns the gaze, re-writes the script that has often left black lesbians and Africans in general without a voice.

Zanele Muholi: Some Prefer Cake - Bologna Lesbian Film Festival - Italy

Zanele Muholi: Some Prefer Cake - Le Festival du film lesbien de Bologne - Italie 2012

Cheryl Dunye's "Black is Blue" Kickstarter campaign success

Marie Kâ : L'Autre Femme | The Other Woman (Senegal)

Naomi Beukes-Meyer (Germany-Namibia) launches crowdfunding for the 2nd Episode of THE CENTRE Web Series
https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.fr/2014/09/naomi-beukes-meyer-germany-namibia.html
Naomi has always felt that there is a distinct lack of film and television dramas highlighting first and second generation African female and, in particular, lesbian experience.

Wanuri Kahiu: "Homosexuality is not unafrican; what is unafrican is homophobia"

Boukary Sawadogo discusses his research: Three marginal figures in the cinemas of Francophone West Africa - the mad person, the homosexual, the woman

Sophie Kaboré’s Quest: Exploring African homosexualities
“The film is about Abdou, the oldest son of a well-respected businessman, who, after a long stay abroad returns home. He has lived other experiences that brought about a psychological and sexual transformation. It is about a transvestite who returns to his social and cultural milieu, a milieu that is horrified by this practice.

OTHER LINKS | AUTRES LIENS

 Kis Keya, creator of "Extranostro", a 5-episode new-media series about the gay black community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE4GYm5GxQD1yzpPpbBav8Q

Black Gay Male Spectatorship in the United States: The Reception of the Films Dakan and Woubi Cheri: https://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2009/06/black-gay-male-spectatorship-dakan-woubi-cheri.html
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29 July 2010

Sophie Kaboré’s Quest: Exploring African homosexualities

Image of Sophie Kaboré from lefaso.net
Sophie Kaboré's Quest: Exploring African homosexualities

The 20 May 2010 post focused on the use of vlogging and video-sharing by African women in cinema in order to promote themselves and make their work more visible. Sophie Kaboré, an aspiring filmmaker from Burkina Faso, has made an appeal to viewers directly on YouTube and DailyMotion to assist her in the completion of a longer version of her film, Abdou’s Return (Zi-Yaabo). Her description on the video-sharing sites is as follows:

“The film is about Abdou, the oldest son of a well-respected businessman, who, after a long stay abroad returns home. He has lived other experiences that brought about a psychological and sexual transformation. It is about a transvestite who returns to his social and cultural milieu, a milieu that is horrified by this practice. This is a 5-minute film in search of a producer for a larger production. For more information contact: Sophie G. Kabore, +22670356079, email: sofiakab81@yahoo.fr.”

Uploaded on DailyMotion and Itidiani’s Channel on YouTube, both created in December 2009 for the promotion of the film, it has received 1775 hits to date, with several comments of encouragement and suggestions. Below are the French to English translation of the short film Zi-Yaabo, the YouTube comments, and the interview by Souleymane Sawadogo for the journal Sidwaya.


Zi-Yaabo (2009) by Sophie Kaboré

Translation of Zi-Yaabo from French to English by Beti Ellerson

"You did not come by the house last night…"
"I did not have time…"
"Did you hear the car?"
"It’s Abdou, I am sure of it."
"Mom, Abdou is here!"
"Where is Abdou?"
"What's with this disguise?"
"What a welcome? Aren’t you happy to see me?"
"But yes!"
"Welcome!"
"Thank you!"
"Welcome!"
"My baggage is in the trunk over there."
"I am happy to see you mother, how are you?"
"Is this a joke, what has become of you my son?"
"Listen mother, the flight was very long, I am very tired, this is neither the time nor place for criticism! I will see you later. I am very tired!"
"Abdou, could you do me a favor and take off those earrings, those bracelets and the whole caboodle that you are wearing! Do you understand? Your father is the imam of this neighborhood? He will kill you rather than let you dishonor us all."
"You have done your duty as mother to bring me into the world and I will accept the rest. If you do not want to see me as I am then tell me. Since I arrived, there has been nothing but criticism. Abdou this, Abdou that, I am sick of it!"
"I am sick of it, leave me alone. Maybe it is better if I go back."
"Abdou! Abdou!"
"That’s enough mom, that’s enough!"
"Abdou! Abdou!"
"Welcome, hello father."
"Hello my daughter. Has Abdou arrived?"
"Yes he has."
"Oh, he has. Could you bring me some water please?"
"Hello dad."
"Abdou?"
"Dad."
"Is that you?"
"Yes dad."
"It’s you Abdou!"
"Yes dad."
"Get him out of here, right now!"
"Make him disappear!"
"Get him out of here, right now!"

French to English translation by Beti Ellerson of comments from YouTube:

1. I think that it would have been more instructive to present an “ordinary” gay couple coming home. The son could have introduced his companion to his father, the Imam. The latter’s reaction—the violent and stupid rejection—would have been the same as in the film, but with a greater acceptance and reaction from the heterosexual public, which is the purpose of the video. However, this does not at all diminish the courage of the filmmaker.

2. I think that there is a great risk in presenting the gay world with images of the “drag queen” as is presented in the video. I think the drag queen is very unhappy because of the prevalence of homophobia, and only represents a very small percentage of the LGBT community. And I think that this representation risks being counterproductive by increasing the rejection by the hetero-normative society, gays and lesbians, bi-sexuals or transgendered persons, effeminates or not.

3. The subject is not easy, but it deserves to be addressed. But this would require a bit more finesse in the treatment. Good luck, because I see that the path is strewn with pitfalls.

Interview by Souleymane Sawadogo for Sidwaya translated from French to English by Beti Ellerson (Link no longer available)

Ms Sophie Kaboré is an aspiring filmmaker. For several years she has worked on the production of a short film. Her film, Abdou’s Return (or Zi-yaabo) of which a first version is on YouTube, treats the subject of homosexuality in Burkina Faso. She reveals to the journal, Sidwaya the difficulties that she encountered and the reasons that led her to broach this theme.

Sidwaya (S): Your film speaks of homosexuality. What is the plot?

Sophie G. Kaboré (S.G.K.): I was looking for a relevant and topical subject for a short film. I have often signed production contracts but nothing followed. Before taking on this project, I knew nothing about homosexuality. I had also thought about portraying a character using comedy. However, I was not aware that this could cause problems.

But I made this choice because up until then I had heard that African filmmakers had to rely on funding. I am not challenging this but I feel that each filmmaker must be free to choose. The film is about the return of the oldest son of a well-respected businessman, after a long stay abroad. During his stay he lived other experiences, which brought about a psychological and sexual transformation. So, it is about a transvestite who returns to his native town, an environment that condemns such practices.

S. What did you want to bring out by treating the subject of homosexuality?

S.G.K.: This idea came to me because I have gay friends. Before I met them, to be honest, I never thought about it, personally. Since knowing them I noticed that they are different, sensitive, and very special. It is for them that I embarked on my film.

S. Is it to make a plea for their cause and to stand up for them?

S.G.K: To make a plea for their cause is perhaps a bit much, since I do not know anything about homosexuality. But I have good friends, extraordinary friends. And these friendships led me to work on this project.

S.: You stated that you encountered problems during the production of the film. What kind of problems?

S.G.K.: I encountered problems both personally and professionally. In terms of professional problems, when I completed the 6-minute film, Abou’s Return, I submitted it to festivals. For instance, the coordinator of "Vues d’Afrique" suggested, after stating that it was very interesting, that it was too short for competition, and to make it longer.

I am now at this stage, and my main character, because of his commitment to the film, delayed his trip to the United States. I have submitted my dossier to institutions that were likely to finance it, and each time I was told that the subject is taboo in our society.

Therefore, the people and institutions that I contacted said that they were sorry but were not able to support me. A general manager was aggressive towards me, calling me a damned woman. I had advice from experienced filmmakers like Idrissa Ouédraogo who also explained to me that it was an uncomfortable subject. Some cinema professionals have gone so far as to nickname me “fag hag” and many have asked why I have hooked on to the theme of homosexuality.

S.: Has your private life suffered?

S.G.K.: When I needed to make the film longer I realized that it was not by reading literature that I would really become knowledgeable about the question of homosexuality. I had to spend time with gays, who were already my friends. From the beginning my boyfriend could not deal with it.

As time went by rumors started that I went out with women since I was always with gay men. If truth be told, I did not hide since they were just as much my friends as others. I was not ashamed, I am even less afraid to go out with them.

S.: How long have you been with your boyfriend?

S.G.K.: We have been together for nearly three years. It was the peddling of these rumors by friends who saw me in the company of gays that is the cause of our clash.

S. : Did not the change in your behavior contribute to the clash?

S.G.K. : Nothing has changed in our relationship. It is the work that I chose to do that is the explanation—I needed to do this research and spend time with homosexuals. I am nearly on the street. I have just left my boyfriend because of this.

S.: You have also said that your family has reacted.

S.G.K.: I went with a gay friend to the home of my sister, who is very religious. When she found out she couldn't deal with it. I have a lot of respect for gays, they are human beings like everybody else. For instance, one does not choose to be black or white; we just are and that’s all to it.

S: Perhaps those close to you fear that homosexuality is contagious?

S.G.K.: (Laughter) Of course not! I would not say that! I have friends who live in this milieu. I will not hide it…, I don’t know, myself. Someone is one person one day, and discovers he is another person later. Personally, I feel that it is a state of being as any other. There are those who are by birth and others who become gay.

S.: What is the possibility that you may sway towards homosexuality or perhaps you have already?

S.G.K.: (Laughter) Am I already? No. But one never knows, “never”. Up until the present I have never had a desire to go out with a woman.

S.: Inspite of your trials and after your film Abdou’s Return, you have persevered. Where are you now in your pursuit?

S.G.K.: In fact, I have assembled a production dossier for a documentary on homosexuality and I am looking for funding. The documentary will focus on homosexuals living with HIV/AIDS. In the case of all of these projects many people have tried to support me but at the last minute withdrew. I am not sure why. An international television station which I contacted felt that the subject was too delicate.

S.: At the rate that things are going do you think that you will be able to complete the film one day?

S.G.K.: I cannot be 100% sure, but I am staying optimistic. I am willing to fight to finish the film because it speaks about a subject that should get the same attention as any other film. But I am still looking for a producer. I hope to do a 52 to 60 minute film. I appeal to all who are willing to assist me in completing the film. While there are many who are reticent about dealing with the subject, as I stated before, gay people are like everybody else, and to make a film about homosexuality is not reprehensible. For certain requirements for the film I took a trip to Côte-d’Ivoire. A gay Ivoirian who is presently in Burkina even says that homosexuality is more developed here than there, only that it is not talked about. The majority of gays that I know are foreigners, whereas all of the lesbians are Burkinabè. As for me, I do not know when this phenomenon began in Burkina, but I know that it is increasing in magnitude. But far be it for me to promote it!





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