Afrolijk is a film evening for the African diaspora, Afro-Caribbean community and Afro-minded community in the Netherlands. Each edition focuses on a film from Africa or African diaspora, and often there is also music, food and art.
Afrolijk's "Afro" of course stands for Africa, but also for diversity, creativity and community, all of which are urban and funky, and both up-beat and laid-back. Welcome to African creativity, welcome to Afro joy, welcome to Afrolijk! This evening: a pre-premiere of the Senegalese film Atlantique and a pre-film - Gifts from Babylon.
Christopher Tijan Smith, lead actor from the pre-film, introduces the entire program.
Atlantique
This debut feature by Senegalese director Mati Diop is the first film by a black, female filmmaker chosen for the main competition at Cannes, where it premiered and eventually won the Grand Prix.
The veil of young love hides a bleak future for young Ada and Souleiman. Though their love seems carefree, this is far from true. After not having received any salary for months, Souleiman and a group of construction workers decide to leave the country in search of a better future. The ocean separates Souleiman from his Ada. Though all she wants is to be with Souleiman, Ada must marry another man, whom she doesn't love. During the wedding party, a devastating fire breaks out. Also, a mysterious fever befalls several girls... Is there a connection? Issa, a young detective, launches an investigation.
pre-film: Gifts from Babylon
Bas Ackerman | The Netherlands, Gambia | 2018 | 24' | English, Wolof spoken | English subtitles
Short film that explores the psychological impact of Africa-EU migration through the lens of a deported Gambian return-migrant. The film captures the personal conflicts that arise when Modou, a deported refugee, returns to his home country after having lived illegally in Europe for five years. Suffering from intense flashbacks of his illegal migrant journey, he wonders what has become of him…
