AFRICAN CINEMA: MED HONDO | film lecture 3
A screening and workshop about Med Hondo's 1970 film Soleil Ô, with Junior Professor Dr. Brigitta Kuster.
Doors open at 15.45 with a 16.00 sharp start.
Free tickets available at the link above soon.
“We must change the humiliating relation between dominating and dominated, between masters and slaves.
What Is Cinema For Us? (1979), Med Hondo.
This lecture is all about watching, experiencing and discussing one extraordinary, radical film: Soleil Ô. We will do so in workshop format to share our interpretations and deepen our own and each other’s understanding. Erik will also give a short introduction to Med Hondo before the film. Hondo is considered a pioneer of African cinema, with his films recently rediscovered and appreciated anew.
Splitting into small groups, you will be prompted by themes and questions about the film. We will then reconvene to share as a whole group. At this point, we are very lucky to be joined by Brigitta Kuster. Brigitta was an editor on a publication written about Med Hondo and can provide us with some extra contextualisation, respond to your discussion and answer your questions.
Soleil Ô (1970), 1 hr, 38 mins
A deeply political debut film by late Mauritian director Med Hondo, which earned him the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival in 1970. Soleil Ô was also the inaugural restoration of the African Film Heritage Project (AFHP), a partnership project between the Pan African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI) (of which Med Hondo was an eminent member), Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation, and UNESCO to restore fifty African films of historical, cultural and artistic significance.
Synopsis: A native of Mauritania is delighted when he is chosen to work in Paris. However, he is disappointed when he sees racial inequity as blacks are relegated to manual labor while less skilled whites are given preferential treatment.
Med Hondo
Med Hondo (1935 – 2019) was a Mauritanian-born French director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Considered a founding father of African cinema, he is known for his controversial films dealing with issues such as race relations and colonization.
We hope to see you there!
