Shorts by Nikyatu Jusu. Highlighting African women during the Directed by Women worldwide film viewing party - 1-15 September 2015

The African Women in Cinema Blog highlights African women via films online during the Directed by Women worldwide film viewing party - 1-15 September 2015.

Sierra Leonean-American Nikyatu Jusu is among a growing number of filmmakers emerging from the New African Diaspora of the United States. A Diaspora which reflects the multiple identities, histories and experiences of those born in the United States and also embrace the Africa of their parents.

Say Grace Before Drowning 

After meeting her African Refugee mother for the first time in six years, 8 year old Hawa is forced to coexist with a woman teetering on the brink of insanity.

Follow link at https://vimeo.com/14624401 

African Booty Scratcher 

Prom nears and things seem to be spiralling out of control for the typically composed ISATU. In this coming of age story,West African tradition conflicts with American idealism and Isatu is forced to reassess her alliances.

Follow link at https://vimeo.com/3070606   

INDIGO TONGUES Interview Series (Iyalode Productions)

INDIGO TONGUES Interview Series

(Iyalode Productions)

It is very important to me as an African to reach out to other Africans and support their work. We are a marginalised group in the context of world politics, or anything else within the global context really, so the more we can support each other, the more our voices will be heard, our stories told and our problems solved--Mojisola Sonoiki

Indigo Tongues is an interview series produced by Iyàlódè (e-yah-low-day) Productions founded by Mojisola Sonoiki in 2005. Following is a selection from the interview series. Visit the Iyalode Productions website for the entire series at https://iyalodeproductions.com/

This post has been reformatted from its original content to include updated interviews from the series.

Indigo Tongues features Tope Oshin 

Indigo Tongues catches up with one the most prolific filmmakers in the Nigerian Film industry, Tope Oshin in Lagos whilst on the set of shooting an episode of the soap Forbidden.

September 13, 2019

http://iyalodeproductions.com/indigo-tongues-features-tope-oshin/

Indigo Tongues features Lydia Forson 

Indigo Tongues catches up with Ghanaian screen Diva, Lydia Forson in Accra where we chat about her work and get a glimpse into her personal side.

August 7, 2018

http://iyalodeproductions.com/lydia-forson-on-indigo-tongues/

Mahen Bonetti on Indigo Tongues

Indigo Tongues features Mahen Bonetti originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, is the Founder of The African Film Festival inc., producers of the New York African Film Festival, one of the largest film festivals dedicated to celebrating African cinema in the U.S.

March 10, 2015

http://iyalodeproductions.com/mahen-bonetti-on-indigo-tongues/

Indigo Tongues features Wanuri Kahiu

Award winning Kenyan Filmmaker, Wanuri Kahiu catches up with Indigo Tongues in Nairobi for a candid interview about working and living life as a filmmaker.

November 13, 2013

http://iyalodeproductions.com/wanuri-kahiu-on-indigo-tongues/

Also see link from the African Women in Cinema Blog:

Mojisola Sonoiki: The Women of Color Arts & Film Festival is "my destiny"

Rise Africa Interviews Nikyatu Jusu

Rise Africa interviews Nikyatu Jusu, first generation Sierra-Leonean American, 25 November 2013 (6:40 min.)

1. What are the difficulties of keeping a character authentic when crafting a story?

2. You often cast women in lead roles. Does feminism cross your mind during the creation process?

3. Is feminism a western idea? Does feminism exist on the continent?

4. Is feminism a conflict of Africa culture?

5. Any advice for filmmakers who'd like to follow your footsteps?

6. How do you interpret the phrase, "Africa is done suffering?"

Also see interview on African Women in Cinema Blog

A Conversation with Nikyatu Jusu

Nikyatu Jusu’s Indiegogo campaign for her debut feature film “Free the Town”

Nikyatu Jusu launches crowfunding Indiegogo campaign for her debut feature film “Free the Town”.

FREE THE TOWN is Sierra Leonean-American Nikyatu Jusu’s feature film debut: three lives interweave in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Love and occultism untie these strangers, revealing lies and illuminating truth. As 17 year old Binta runs from a past riddled with witch accusations, she collides with two strangers: a Brooklyn teen reuniting with his estranged African father and a European filmmaker relentlessly pursuing a story of witch exorcisms. In a country struggling to progress, we discover the past often has an unshakeable grasp on the future.



Text and Image from Indiegogo website.



Links:

Nikyatu Jusu Website
Nikyatu Jusu on Vimeo
Interview with Nikyatu Jusu on African Women in Cinema Blog