HOT IRONS | Dir. Andrew Dosunmu | 50min. | Nigeria/USA |1999
Hot Irons provides a rare look into the social culture of African-American hairstyling, as explained by five Detroit hairdressers in preparation for the annual “Hair Wars” competition. Aided by striking cinematography and a brilliantly eclectic soundtrack, Dosunmu captures the hopes and pressures of the men who were laid off from the automobile industry and now compete for recognition and respect in the fantastically creative world of black hair styling.
TENGENENGE: ZIMBABWE'S HIDDEN SCULPTURE COMMUNITY | Dir. Jacquelyn Lobel| 17min. | USA/ Zimbabwe | 2011 | English & Shona (English Subtitles)
Tengenenge is a village of sculpture artists located in a remote region of Zimbabwe. The film explores the history of the village, and reveals a slice of life in Tengenenge, a community that has withstood the odds and continues to survive because of its people's passion, energy and solidarity. Tengenenge is a glimmer of joy and optimism in a country on the brink of collapse.
Stocktown X: South Africa | Dir. Teddy Goitom and Benjamin Taft | 30min. | Sweden / South Africa / Ethiopia | 2011 | English
Stocktown X: South Africa will bring you face to face with the new urban Africa, where fashion creators, animators, cultural entrepreneurs, music producers and guerilla filmmakers define what it is to be young, talented and passionate in Africa’s 21st century. The film takes viewers on a road trip across South Africa, capturing the contemporary creative generation of this vivid and pulsating culture. Stocktown X: South Africa introduces viewers to black heavy metal band Ree-Burth, Soweto style setters Smarteez, and Limpop music genre innovator Gazelle amongst others, capturing the creative energy and street vibes of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Q&A with Dan Atkins (Cinematographer, Tengenenge), Teddy Goitom (Co-Director, Stocktown X) and Andrew Dosunmu (Director, Hot Irons)