Portraits of Justice, Alfredo Jaar's permanent installation at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Portraits of Justice is a new permanent installation by Alfredo Jaar at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Commissioned for the Lynn and Jules Kroll Atrium of the new building designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the project was coordinated by independent curator Jennifer McGregor.

Alfredo Jaar, Portraits of Justice, 2013. Mixed-media installation. Courtesy the artist, New York. Photography: Rudolf Costin.

Jaar's new installation Portraits of Justice welcomes students, staff, faculty, and visitors entering the college with an elegant wall of pristine mirrors and aluminum panels. In midst of the reflections of the atrium's buzzing life, the seemingly minimal installation offers the college community a gaze into itself. The work's real complexity however unfolds as the mirrors light up every few minutes with faces of John Jay students, intermittently appearing and disappearing in various areas throughout the installation. 

At random intervals, some of the students speak out the word "justice" and, three times a day every day, the entire installation comes to life as it completely fills up with students whispering, shouting, imposing, or calling for "justice" in unison. The layering of reflections and the gradual unraveling of the complexity of the work reflects the difficulty and intricacy of a field like criminal justice, as well as the rigor and discipline that it requires. Mirrors, an age-old symbol of transparency and scrutiny, also suggest that all justice begins by looking at oneself.

About the artwork: Alfredo Jaar. Portraits of Justice, 2013. Installation with twenty LCD monitors, aluminum panels, TV mirror glass panels, and videos. Software design by Jerzy Klebieko. Cinematography by Rudolf Costin

Words via e-flux.

Kwaku Ananse | Ghanaian Mythology

Kwaku Ananse is a film based on a fable of creature who is a spider and man. Ananse, as many call him, is common in many Ghanaian myths and stories. Kwaku Ananse tells the story of Nyan Koronhwea, a young woman who attends her estranged father's funeral. Nyan's father had two separate lives with two wives and two families - one in Ghana and one in the United States. The film incorporates a reoccurring theme of duality, teaching that there are two sides to everything and everyone. Kwaku Ananse was recently selected for the Berlin International Film Festival and is up for the Golden Bear Prize for Best Short Film. 

Watch the trailer below:

For updates on the Kwaku Ananse film, visit the Facebook page.

A Lot Like You | Exploring Culture, Identity, and Gender

A Lot Like You is a film about a woman's search for her cultural identity. Born into a Tanzanian-Korean interracial family, Eliaichi Kimaro travels to Tanzania to learn about her father's culture. There she discovers stories of women who struggle in a society that oppresses them and is forced to face her own past as a victim of abuse.

Winner of 6 film festival awards, A Lot LikeYou is praised for its fresh, inspiring narration of a personal exploration of identity within a mixed-race background. The film covers postcolonial and immigrant stories as well as stories of culture and gender violence.

Watch the trailer below:

Read more about A Lot Like You.

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30% |  A Film About Women and Politics in Sierra Leone
Madam President | The Future of Malawi

Madam President | The Future of Malawi

Directed by Nick Francis and Marc Francis, Madam President is a film about Malawi's President Joyce Banda and her efforts to lead Malawi as the first female president. The 12 min film explores the challenges that President Banda faces as she mobilizes her resources to create positive change for Malawi. The camera follows her as she visits supporters in Southern Malawi, meets key donors in Brussels, and spends time with women on Mother's Day.

Watch the film, Madam President below:

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30% | A Film About Women and Politics in Sierra Leone

South African film, Iyeza | Sundance Film Festival 2013

Directed by Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai, Iyeza is an allegory of the Last Supper depicting the establishment of a new nation-state. The film explores the African condition by juxtaposing the past and the present of a continent in the grip of violent civil wars. A trailer has not been released for this film yet, but once it is we will share.

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Art & Politics | Kudzania Chiurai's Provocative Artwork

30% | A Film About Women and Politics in Sierra Leone

30% is a short film which tells the story of a 10 year battle to gain fair representation for women in the governance of Sierra Leone. The significant gap in the representation of women in government is an issue which is common worldwide. According to The Independent, Rwanda is the best place in the world for women to be politicians because it is the only country in which females make up the majority of parliamentarians with 45 out of 80 seats. The UK ranked as 45th, behind Pakistan and United Arab Emirates. The worst countries were Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, Oman and Belize which have no women in parliament.

Within the context of Sierra Leone's politics we learn about individuals like Dr. Bernadette Lahai, Salamatu Kamara, and Barbara Bangura who each face challenges in their efforts to achieve equality. The film transitions seamlessly between oil painted animation by Em Cooper and live action video by Anna Cady which creates some captivating visual effects.

Watch the official trailer here:

30% is an official for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in the Shorts Competition. The film was commissioned by Pathways for Women's Empowerment and Screen South, while funded by Real World Films. To learn more about the situation in  Sierra Leone, you can read the case study written by Pathways. 

You can watch the full short film on IMDB here.

American Promise | Two Black Boys in the Education System

American Promise is a documentary that offers a realistic look at the harsh realities that black males face in the education system today. Filmed by Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson, the project began 13 years ago as they focused on Idris, their son, and his best friend Seun. The film follows them on their educational journey up to their senior year of high school. American Promise was successfully funded on kickstarter with this engaging video narrated by Idris' younger brother named Miles.

The film has now been completed and is an official selection of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Inspired by the American Promise, filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson created a book with bestselling author entitled, "Promises Kept: How to Help Black Boys Succeed in School and in Life". This parenting and educational guide is designed to offer strategies on how to deal with the challenges that Black boys face in the American educational system.

Watch the trailer for the American Promise here:

The film will be released on PBS, along with the parenting book by Random House.

For more on American Promise, visit www.americanpromise.org/

Boneshaker | Frances Bodomo

Boneshaker is a film by Frances Bodomo which tells the story of a Ghanaian immigrant family that takes a road trip to a Pentecostal church in Louisiana to cure their violent daughter. There, the family encounters some challenges as they attempt to perform a traditional ritual away from home. A Ghanaian living in diaspora herself, filmmaker France Bodomo relates to the experience of immigrants. In the video below she mentions feelings of homelessness, landlessness and rootlessness which are often part of the immigration experience. The film was successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2011, and is now an official selection for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Watch the film preview used for the Kickstarter campaign here:

London's Film Africa Festival | November 1 - 11

Film Africa is back this November with a new range of educational, family, and art events alongside an engaging film programme. Known as the UK's largest annual festival of African cinema and culture, the festival runs for 10 days with 70 African films, 35 leading filmmakers offering Q & A's and 8 African music nights.

Above: The Three Furies

Above: Thula

Above: The Godfather

The film festival is hosted by the Hackney Picturehouse as well as The Ritzy in Brixton, the Rich Mix in Shoreditch, the BFI Southbank, Screen on the Green in Islington, and the South London Gallery. For more on the Film Africa festival, visit www.filmafrica.org.uk.

Film | United States of Africa

Directed and produced by Yanick Letourneau, United States of Africa: Beyond Hip Hop is a documentary that follows the journey of hip hop rapper Didier Awadi. Awadi travels through 40 countries on quest to create an album that pays tribute to revolutionary leaders and their shared dream of a united, independent Africa. The documentary draws the viewer into an artist's profound meditation on the power of music and the impact of political engagement - both individual and collective. It offers a picture of the past and a hopeful image of the future, using the languages of music and politics.

Watch the film trailer here:

For more on the film, visit United States of Africa.

The Fade | Global Significance Of The Barbershop

Featured at the Austin Film Festival, The Fade is a fresh take on the shared global significance of the barbershop. The Fade creates an international dialogue of the lives of four barbers in Ghana, Jamaica, the US and the UK. Among them is Offori "Tupac" Mensah who works in Labadi, Accra. (Go, Ghana!) The film also features Pharrell Williams, Jay Sean, and Joe Budden.

Watch a preview of The Fade here: (Warning: Mild profanity)

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Dear White People | Controversy & Overdue Dialogue

Dear White People is a satire about being a black face in a white place. The film follows the stories of four black students at an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over a popular "African American" themed party thrown by white students. The satirical film explores racial identity in "post-racial" America while weaving a universal story of forging one's unique path in the world.

Controversy

It is understandable that the film and its title are causing a stir in both Black and White communities. In an article for the Huffington Post, film director Justin Simien explains that the film is not about "white racism" or racism at all. Instead, its about the difference between how the mass culture responds to a person because of their race and who they understand themselves to truly be. The film has also gained attention from the mainstream media. In a CNN interview with Carol Costello, Justin Simien explained that the film aims to offer a different narrative of the black experience which is not available to the public. He continued with a reference to films by Tyler Perry which are viewed by many Blacks as an inaccurate portrayal of Black Americans today. It seems that many agree with Simien. The film's kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000 was surpassed to over $41,000. 

Overdue Dialogue

Why does this film matter? Regardless of whether one may like or dislike the film, Dear White People  matters because it sets the much-needed conversation going about what the Black experience really is. It serves as a platform for Blacks to share their individual stories and to be recognized separately from the stereotypes presented in the media. The film covers experiences that are shared by many Black people yet still not discussed in the media today. As a result, Dear White People has caused much relief particularly for people who relate to the film. The stir caused by the film is great because it serves as the momentum for creating a much more racially informed public.

Watch the trailer here:

What are your thoughts on the film? Do you intend to see it once it is released?  

Do share in the comments below.

Read Justin Simien's post about the film on The Huffington Post here.

An African Election | Then and Now

In 2009, Ghana held one of the most anticipated elections yet, with much expectation for a smooth transition. Directed by Jarreth Merz, An African Election is a film that "that looks behind-the-scenes at the complex, political machinery of a third world democracy struggling to legitimize itself to its first world contemporaries."A successful kickstarter campaign was launched the fund the screening of this documentary across the country.

Watch the official trailer here:

Meanwhile, Ghanaians are preparing for yet another election which will take place in December. The late President John Atta Mills passed away in July due to a long battle with illness. Hours after releasing a formal statement signed by the chief of staff, the former Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as the President of Ghana. The west African country was been applauded for the orderly and timely fashion in which this was done. I happened to be in Ghana when this occurred and was amazed by what I observed from the media, the government, and citizens. 

Photograph: Haydn West/EPA

To help ensure a free and fair election, Ghana Decides is a project that works to foster a better informed electorate. The team works using social media and has acquired quite a following on twitter and tumblr. There is still much speculation about how the passing of the late President John Atta Mills will affect this season of elections. Regardless of which party wins, the hope is that the process will be peaceful, and the party chosen will truly be the choice of the people.

In Between Stories | Short Documentary

In Between Stories is a short 20-min documentary that features four young artists from the African diaspora communities in Toronto, Canada. This film touches on issues including media representations of Africa, experiences of second-generation immigrant youth and the role of storytelling. As they navigate through the different narratives that make up their lives, they share what it means to be a young African in today's society.

As a Ghanaian-Canadian, I relate very much to the artists and to the stories that they tell. My compassion for Ghana and my continent has led me to be proactive by sharing stories to influence the generally negatively-biased narrative offered by the media. I also find myself in the middle of both countries in terms of identity. I appreciate how this has made me open-minded, observant and aware as a result of it.

What do you think about this? Are there any other ways that Africans in the diaspora can change the narrative? Let me know in the comments below.

Film & Illustration | Aya de Yopougon

Aya de Yopougon is a graphic novel series by Marguerite Abouet. Marguerite was born in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, where many of the themes in the series chronicle her childhood memories. Aya de Yopougon is french for Aya of Yopougon or Aya from Yopougon. Yopougon is a working-class neighbourhood in Abidjan in the late 1970's.

It is no wonder that this series has a strong international audience. I love that Aya illustrates daily life in Cote d'Ivoire in a realistic way that excludes an exaggerated narrative of war, famine, and disease. As a result of the strong interest in the series, Aya de Yopougon will be available in an upcoming animated film. I'm really looking forward to this film. Details on the film will be included in a follow-up post.

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Art & Revolution | The Noise Of Cairo

The documentary explores the social change experienced in Cairo after the revolution. It features 12 artists, artisans, musicians and city folk who discuss their newly-acquired freedom to express themselves. I couldn't help but feel inspired after seeing the trailer. I am eager to see more of the effects of this increased interest in the arts within Cairo and Egypt.

 For more on the documentary, visit Noise of Cairo.

Shirin Neshat | Women Without Men

Women Without Men is a film adaptation of a novel by Iranian author Shahrnush Parsipur, which tells the stories of the struggles of four individual women. Directed by Shirin Neshat, it offers an exquisitely crafted view of women rights today in Iran, as compared to Iran in 1953. Neshat explores the social, political, and psychological dimensions of her characters as they meet in a metaphorical garden, which serves as their escape. Women Without Men was an official selection for the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, and for the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Women Without Men trailer

For more on Women Without Men, visit the official website.

Film | Kinshasa Symphony

The award-winning film documents the journey of the people in Kinshasa on their quest to create a symphony orchestra. The orchestra consists of 200 musicians, most them self-taught amateurs. Some of the instruments like the double bass, were built by the musicians themselves. Their music repertoire includes Beethoven's Ninth, Orff's Carmina Burana, and works by Dvorak and Verdi. The film provides a study of an impressive group of people on an endeavour to maintain the complex system of a symphony orchestra.

For more on Kinshasa Symphony, visit the official website.

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Robot Artists |  A Short Documentary

Film | Monsieur Lazhar

Monsieur Lazhar is an award-winning film, which tells the story of a Montreal middle school class shaken by the death of their well-liked teacher. Monsieur Lazhar, a 55-year old Algerian immigrant is hired as a substitute teacher. As he helps the children heal, he also learns to accept this own painful past. The film  was an official selection at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, an 2012 Academy Award Nominee, as well as the winner of several awards at the Toronto International Film Festival 2011, the Locarno Film Festival 2011.

For more on Monsieur Lazhar, visit the official website.

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New Boy | A story about a Rwandan refugee boy who starts school in Ireland.

Ava DuVernay | Middle of Nowhere

The Sundance film festival presents the exciting, award-winning Middle of Nowhere. Director Ava DuVernay, is the first African-American woman to be awarded Best Director at the festival. The film  tells the story of a woman's journey to maintain her identity and her marriage during her husband's incarceration. Starring, Omari Hardwick and Emayatzy Corinealdi, this complicated love story offers a unique perspective into the lives of women who lose their husbands, brothers, and fathers to jail. 

Watch the Official Teaser Here:

Middle of Nowhere will be in theatres on October 12, 2012. 

For more information on the show times, visit AFFRM.

Love this film? Also check out:

Restless City, I Will Follow and Kinyarwanda