As in other industries, there are people who chose to work in film because their family members have had successful careers as actors, directors, or producers. The United States has the Barrymore and Huston families; France the Depardieus; and Italy has the Rossellinis. Africa has its own version of a successful filmmaking family: the Ouedraogos.
Kini et Adams (Kini and Adams) by Idrissa Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso (1997) – Idrissa Ouedraogo is one of the most acclaimed directors from the African Diaspora, having won many prizes at various international film festivals such as Cannes and the Berlin International Film Festival. He began his career in 1981 and directed his first feature, Yam Daabo, in 1986. Since then, he continues to be a prolific filmmaker. Kini et Adams is one of his award-winning films, having been nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival. Kini et Adams is about two friends who have dreams of leaving their rural community for the big city; they struggle to fix up an old car so they can reach their goal. However, they face obstacles when new jobs pop up in their community, which drives a wedge between the friends.
Djanta by Tassere Tahirou Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso (2007) – The younger Ouedraogo also made a name for himself in the Burkinabe film industry. He started off with technical training in Paris, France before making his first directorial film, Le chauffer du depute, in 2000. Since then, Ouedraogo has made more shorts and features on a wide variety of topics in Burkina Faso. Djanta follows the tale of a young African woman, Djanta, who has returned home from university at the request of the pastor who raised her. When she arrives, she is surprised to find out that her family wants her to marry a man that they betrothed her to as a baby. Upset, Djanta runs back to her university and sets about freeing women from traditional constraints. This film touches on several important themes in contemporary Africa, especially forced marriage for women.
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