The series is dedicated to film productions of various genres that deal with both the resistance against European colonialism on African soil, and the conference itself. In addition to film screenings there are public discussions with the filmmakers and invited artists.

For a long time it has been unequivocally agreed that the Berlin Conference, convened by Reich Chancellor Otto von Bismarck in 1884, and the subsequent protocol initiated the systematic partition respectively colonisation of the African continent by European powers.

Employing photographies, postcards and other media, the colonial powers were continuously trying to enthuse their population with Europe’s “civilizing mission” on the African continent – from their perspective the last “blank spot” on the map which still needed to be occupied. When the medium of film expanded in the early 20th century, it was utilised for the same purpose. It is not surprising that to this date the notion prevails that the population of this continent condoned and accepted their fate of living under “white” rule. Since the independence of the respective African countries in the late 1950’s until today, filmmakers from Africa are working under difficult conditions of production to correct this image and to write their own stories. On account of this, the retrospective show focuses on older and more recent film productions from various genres, dealing both with the resistance against European colonialism on African soil and with the conference itself.

Curated by Enoka Ayemba

Enoka Ayemba is a film curator and writer based in Berlin. In his work he focuses on cinematic cultures in Africa, the Nigerian video film industry and anti-colonial resistance. In this context he has compiled several fi lm series including african reflections – female directors in cinema (Berlin, 2007; in cooperation with Philippa Ebene); Siehst du mich? (Do you see me? A film series in the context of 50 years of African in-dependencies; Berlin, 2010); African Threads and Laces (Vienna, 2011; in cooperation with Katja Wiederspahn); Schwarze Menschen und das Nazi-Regime (Blacks and the Nazi regime; Berlin, 2013). From 2009 to 2013 Enoka Ayemba directed the monthly fi lm series Afro Digital (formally Nollywood Spezial) at Werkstatt der Kulturen Berlin and in 2010 was a member of the Selection Committee of the Berlinale Talent Campus. He is co-founder of the Berlin curator’s group Remember Resistance.

PROGRAMME:

8th February 2015, 3pm
2006 – 1892 = 114 ans Mueda, Memoria e Massacre 

On 16th June 1960, in Mueda, Northern Mozambique, the Portuguese army, following orders from the Portuguese governor, executed 600 people. Since their country has become independent (in 1975), Mueda’s survivors regularly re-enact the massacre, playing the role of victims, assassins and spectators.

15th February 2015, 3pm
Capitaine Thomas Sankara 

22th February 2015, 3pm
Heritage Africa

Heritage Africa tells the story of Kwesi Atta Bosomefi, the perfect « native » civil servant, whose elevation to the post of district commissioner in the colonial administration causes him to repress his African identity. He changes his name to Quincy Arthur Bosomfield and rejects part of his African culture for every British value he learns. Gradually he rises through the educational and religious regimen of British colonialism, only to humbly rediscover his African heritage.

Winner of the grand prize at the 1989 FESPACO film festival, Heritage Africa is a drama about betrayal and gradual awakening.

When the medium of film expanded in the early 20th century, it was employed among other things for the purpose of promoting Europe’s “civilizing mission” on the African continent.

Since the independence of African countries in the 1950’s and 60’s, filmmakers from Africa are correcting this image and writing their own stories. Beyond the maps focuses on film productions from various genres, dealing both with the resistance against European colonialism on African soil and with the conference itself. Apart from film screenings there will be Q & A sessions with the filmmakers as well as invited experts.

The Film series is part of the event series WE ARE TOMORROW – VISIONS AND MEMORIES AT THE BERLIN CONFERENCE IN 1884 at Ballhaus Naunynstraße Berlin (until 26 February 2015).