Highlights

This year’s heavily Instagrammed highlight was Zak Ové’s ‘Black and Blue: The Invisible Man and the Masque of Blackness’ installation, where 40 Yoruba-masked statues stood proudly in the Somerset House courtyard. Elsewhere, there were strong flicks from Malick Sidibé in the artist’s first UK solo exhibition and even a free film forum – but here’s a summary of my favourite bits from this year’s show in photos.

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1. It’s along the river Seine

And might I add, you can’t miss it, mainly because it’s insanely close to the Eiffel Tower and…

2. …it’s housed in a weird and wonderful building designed by Jean Nouvel

The great thing about modern museums is that they tend to go HAM on the architectural front, and Nouvel’s multi-structural, earthy-toned compound in the middle of a garden is every bit eclectic as it is distinctive.

3. It’s the French version of the Barbican – but better

And by that, I mean it’s humongous (not ugly, though some might beg to differ) and feels more like a destination space for chilling than just checking out whatever exhibition(s) are on show. For instance, they give up their outdoor space to revellers during the annual Siestes électroniques – a music festival that takes place in the summer.

Matahoata, Arts & society of the Marquesas Islands

4. There are some solid shows on the schedule this year

On my visit I got to whizz around three great shows: Matahoata: Arts and society in the Marquesa Islands, which highlights cultural artefacts from one of the most remote islands in the world (on until 24th July); Dakar 66: Chronicles of a Pan-African Festival, a retrospective of stunning artefacts from a ground-breaking arts festival in Senegal in the ’60s (on until 15th May); and Persona, Strangely Human – a intriguing presentation of the relationship between technology and humanity (on until 13th November).

5. You can make it a day trip – 2 hours from London and a 30ish min jaunt from Gare du Nord.

Gotta love the Eurostar.

Visit the Musée du quai Branly website to find out more. 

Many thanks to Alambret Communication for the invite.

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The cast is strong and well played by Newton and Ejiofor. Mama is played excellently by Onwenu giving a convincing portrayal of an African local woman. From her facial expressions, quiet mutterings to herself and clever lines like “I am too old to die young”, Onwenu brings a unique charm to the film.

Also, it’s  refreshing to see things through the directorial eyes of an African (Biyi Bandele) rather than a Westerner looking in , and as a result, the viewer is invited to understand some of the specific cultural themes of Nigeria at this time: an older African woman from a village struggling to connect with her son’s educated girlfriend from the capital; the mother then finally asking Olanna if her family will accept the “bride price” (another way of saying she approves and is happy for them to marry); and the extreme loyalty of Ugwu, Olanna and Odenigbo’s “house boy” (servant).

Unlike other films of the same genre, it does not demonise or elevate political characters. It allows actual footage of the Nigerian-Biafran war to bring the political tone, and instead focuses on the personal impact of this terrible time on these four young professionals.

It’s a  debut film  for  Bandele, and while there are a few shortcomings in the flow of the narrative (it’s a weighty book that probably needs a TV series rather than a 111 minutes of screen time), he does a decent job of bringing Adichie’s famous novel to the screen. (Words: Sharon Gaisie)

Half of a Yellow Sun is released in cinemas March 2014 

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With plenty to read, watch and see, it all makes for a quality insight into a subculture that hasn’t been presented in such an accessible way since Chris Rock’s Good Hair documentary in 2009. Just a shame the exhibition isn’t bigger – but the programme extends to The Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology (MAA) where you can find three further art installations that impressively recreate the “home salon”, the barbershop and the hairdressers” Those installations wrap up on September 28th but you’ve got until November to check out the free Fitzwilliam exhibition and accompanying programmes. Go on the weekend for just £22 for an off-peak return ticket from Kings Cross – you’ll be there in just over an hour. Worth it! (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

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Origins of the Afro Comb: 6,000 years of culture, politics and identity is on until November 3rd. For more info, visit: www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/whatson/exhibitions

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Pic: Richard Hubert Smith

Actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith returns to the Young Vic for the production – playing the trickster god Esu and is joined by Olivier Award-winning actress Noma Dumezweni.
For this co-production with the Royal Court, Rufus Norris worked with playwrights from five countries where Yoruba traditions have influenced contemporary life. Included in this collaborative effort are Brazilian Marcos Barbosa, American Tanya Barfield, Rotimi Babatunde of Nigeria, Cuban Yunior Garcia Aguilera and Brit Gbolahan Obisesan. Norris is no stranger to the African continent, having spent quite a few childhood years in Nigeria when his civil servant father was posted to Africa.

Pic: Richard Hubert Smith

Anyone familiar with the work of Norris will know he has directed a host of critically acclaimed shows including Cabaret, London Road and an adaptation of DBC Pierre’s novel Vernon God Little. So, here’s a theatre director with some versatility who’s spoken of taking the audience on a journey with Feast. The show’s promotional tagline is Feed your spirit, Free yourself – and that sounds quite good for January. (Words: Eri Otite)

Feast is showing at the Young Vic from 25 January – 23 February. For more info, visit www.youngvic.org

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Supported by the Royal African Society and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Film Africa 2012 runs from November 1-11, offering 10 days of 70 African films, leading film-maker Q&A’s, free professional workshops, and nine African music nights. The festival is hosted by the Hackney Picturehouse and also takes place at the BFI Southbank, Rich Mix in Shoreditch, The Ritzy in Brixton, Everyman Cinema’s Screen on the Green, Picha House and The South London Gallery.

This year, co-directors Lindiwe Dovey and Namvula Rennie are particularly eager to highlight the increasingly transnational nature of African film, both in its narrative content and its production values. In one of the major programming strands – Continental Crossings – the films have been chosen to inspire a vision of a global Africa connected to the Western and the non-Western world. Like the London Film Festival, Film Africa 2012 is divided into separate thematic focuses: in addition to Continental Crossings there is Elections and Democracy, Mama Africa, Spotlight on Sexualities, Sport and Public Space and Citizen Journalism. The fest confronts issues that are not entirely specific to Africa, but are explored from a uniquely African perspective.

The opening night film, from the Continental Crossings strand, Nairobi Half Life, is an unlikely collaboration between leading German director Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, The International) and rising Kenyan film talent David Tosh Gitonga, who will introduce the film at The Ritzy. Other notable UK premieres include: The Education of Auma Obama, a portrait of the Kenyan half-sister of President Barack Obama who introduced him to his Kenyan roots; the multi-award winning Call Me Kuchu, a devastating tribute to the Ugandan gay activist David Kato; and Sons of the Clouds, a legacy of the colonization of the Western Sahara starring Javier Bardem.

In the tradition set up at Film Africa 2011, the festival will continue to increase awareness of female African film-makers while also giving special attention to certain African countries. This year will be South Africa with no fewer than 17 South African fiction, documentary and short films scheduled. (Words: Chris Fennell)

For more info, visit www.filmafrica.org.uk

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This Dutch festival celebrating all things South African, comes to  London, before touring around the rest of the UK – and it seems fitting that the migratory event is happening during Black History Month. Taking place at Stratford Circus and The Albany in Deptford, the aim is to show something of contemporary SA beyond a reputation for crime and a predilection for vuvuzelas. The centre of the action will be at the Township Café, where you’ll find an eclectic and thought-provoking roster of activities. There’ll be new music from Soweto Kinch and the Sibikwa African Orchestra, several South African plays showing fresh from the Edinburgh festival (plus the opportunity to meet the cast and crew afterwards), as well as a photography exhibition focusing on the legacy of apartheid. Also on offer throughout the week is a smorgasbord in the way of authentic food, short films, poetry, dance, pre-show talks and late night debates. So whatever your cultural bag, you’re sure to find something to take your fancy. (Words: Jane Duru) 

The Afrovibes Festival runs until October 7th at The Albany, Douglas Way Deptford, SE8 4AG and Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, E15 1BX. For more info, visit  www.afrovibes2012.co.uk

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