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Decolonising the Speculative: Journeys to African Futures  – Africa in Motion 2018

EDINBURGH: Mon 29 Oct, 2019 at 5.45pm, Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, See Africa in Motion website to book

GLASGOW: Thurs 1 Nov, 2018 at 7.30pm at University of Glasgow (Andrew Stewart Cinema, Gilmorehill 9 University Ave Glasgow G12 8QQ), Free and unticketed

As part of our Decolonising the Speculative strand, this short-film series showcases the speculative work from a selection of filmmakers from the African continent and its diaspora. From Wanuri Kahiu’s celebrated Pumzi, in which a curator of a futuristic museum for natural life finds herself in possession of what might not in fact be the last ever germinating seed, to the vibrant trio of scientist-witches in Hello, Rain – C.J. “Fiery” Obasi’s adaptation of Nigerian author Nnedi Okorafor’s short story – the films in this series create visions that variously contest, transform or entirely leave behind those paradigms of the future associated with colonial modernity. In so doing, they also address urgent and entangled socio-economic, ecological, and political questions, as well as questions that pertain to issues of gender, belonging, and the contemporary status of indigenous knowledge.

Decolonising the Speculative was curated by Fatima Seck, Rebecca Duncan and Finn Daniels-Yeomans

The screening is funded by the University of Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Fund, and will be followed by a discussion.

The programme includes:

Hello, Rain

C.J Obasi | Nigeria 2018 | 30m

Sorcery, science and sisterhood rule in C.J. Obasi’s colourful screen adaptation of the award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor’s short story Hello, Moto.

The Golden Chain

Adebukola Bodunrin and Ezra Claytan Daniels | USA 2016 | 14m

The distant future: a Nigerian space station in a remote corner of the galaxy orbits an artificial pinpoint of matter so dense it cannot exist in our solar system. A first-time collaboration between experimental filmmaker Adebukola Bodunrin and graphic novelist Ezra Claytan Daniels, The Golden Chain finds the two artists intertwining their contrasting aesthetics to revisit the themes of the Yoruba creation tale.

We Need Prayers: This One Went to Market

Jim Chuchu | Kenya 2018 | English and Swahili with English subtitles | 5m

Have you heard of Afrofuturism? In this bold art-world satire, a young African visual artist hatches a sly plan to break through into the global arts market – Will it work? One installment of the Kenya-based Nest Collective’s ten-part mini-series We Need Prayers: This One Went to Market holds the rise to global popularity of Afrofuturism up to careful – and hilarious – scrutiny.

Afro Punk Girl

Annetta Laufer | UK 2016 | 16m

In a dystopian future, where a post-apocalyptic Britain forces its “Happiness Agenda” upon its hungry, isolated citizens, a young punk meets a radical old dandy and discovers the importance of true rebellion.

Aljana Moons

Alexis Peskine | France and Senegal 2015 | 5m

Placed somewhere between sci-fi and documentary, Aljana Moons is Paris-based artist Alexis Peskine’s mesmerising exploration of Black masculinity, youth and fatherhood in contemporary Senegal.

Director Alexis Peskine will be in attendance to take part in a discussion after the screening.

Pumzi

Wanuri Kahiu | Kenya/South Africa 2009 | 22m

Wanuri Kahiu’s celebrated Pumzi, Kenya’s first science fiction film, imagines a dystopian future 35 years after WWIII – the Water War – has torn the world apart. Nature is extinct and the outside is dead. Asha lives and works as a museum curator in one of the indoor communities set up by the Maitu Council. When she receives a box in the mail containing soil she plants an old seed in it and the seed starts to germinate instantly. Asha appeals to the Council to grant her permission to investigate the possibility of life on the outside, but when the Council denies her an exit visa Asha breaks out nonetheless.

Image: Aljana Moons II, Alexis Peskine, 2015

Africa in Motion

26 October – 4 November, 2018

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