African Perspectives: Namibian premiere of the film “L’Absence” by Mama Keita on Sat. 28. April 2012, 19h00 at Studio 77

On Saturday, 28 April 2012 at 19h AfricAvenir Windhoek presents the Namibian premiere of the film "L’Absence" (2009, Guinea/France, OengST) directed by Mama KEÏTA at Studio 77. Part social commentary, part thriller, L’Absence is an atmospheric and contemporary sketch of Senegal that touches on issues of drugs, prostitution, corruption, brain drain, and, possibly, redemption. Filmmaker Mama Keita gives us a film that urgently races towards a dramatic, exciting and unexpected climax. nDate: Sat. 28. April 2012, Time: 19h00
Venue: Studio 77, Old Breweries Complex, entrance Garten Str.
Entrance: 30,-N$

AfricAvenir thanks its sponsors and kind supporters of this event: Studio 77, Bank Windhoek Arts Festival, the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre, and WhatsOnWindhoek.

About the film
After brilliant studies in France and an absence of almost seventeen years, Adama, a trained engineer, hastily comes back to his native country, Senegal.
He received an alarming message informing him that his grandmother is seriously ill. On his arrival, he discovers that his grandmother is in perfect health. Who sent the message ? Why?

Adama and his younger sister Aïcha, who is born deaf, are orphans and were
brought up by their grandmother.

Naturally, Aïcha and her grandmother are overjoyed when they welcome Adama after such a long absence. They have been expecting this blessed moment for so long! While everyone is enjoying the meal prepared in celebration of his return, Adama announces that he is going to settle in France.

Like thousands of students from the Third World who benefit from a scholarship or whose relatives fund their studies go to the West to further their education, most of them will not go back home after completing their studies. Aïcha and her grandmother are distraught.

During this short stay, Adama discovers devastating news about Aïcha. In shock he reacts with violence and his homecoming takes an ugly turn. 

This return makes re-emerge a family drama hidden for so long.

Part social commentary, part thriller, L’Absence is an atmospheric and contemporary sketch of Senegal that touches on issues of drugs, prostitution, corruption, brain drain, and, possibly, redemption. Filmmaker Mama Keita gives us a film that urgently races towards a dramatic, exciting and unexpected climax. L’Absence depicts Senegal with all its contradictions but, above all, we hope there is hope.

Festivals and Awardsn

• Best Screenplay at Pan African Film Festival FESPACO in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 2009
• Best feature  Festival de Cine Africano Tarifa, Spain, 2009.

nAbout the director
Mama Keïta was born 1956 in Sene gal as a son of a Vietnamese mother and a Guianese father. After studying law in Paris, he starts writing screen plays. Between 1981 and 1997 Keita directs five short films; the documentary “David Achkar, une étoile filante” (1998) is a personal obituary for a deceased friend. His first feature “Le fleuve” (2002) receives the Award de la Presse at the Paris Filmfestival. nIn 2003 he directed “Le Sourire du Serpent” and in 2009, besides “L’Absence” he makes the short film “One more vote for Obama” as part of the Pan African short film project “L’Afrique vue Par….”, ten short films commissioned by the Algerian government.nIn 2011 he directed the film “Le bonheur d”Elza”.nMama Keita was a member of the jury at the 1st Luxor African Film Festival, held in February 2012.nInquiries: Hans-Christian Mahnke
 Cell: 085-5630949, Email: moc.liamelgoog@khw.rinevacirfa