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9TH MUMBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RETROSPECTIVES
John Akomfrah ?
John Akomfrah is an experienced
and award winning director whose list of credits include the mesmerizing biography
THE WONDERWORKD OF LOUIS AMSTRONG and
a celebratory portrait of the great black American civil rights leader
MARTIN LUTHER KING ? DAYS OF HOPE.
He has produced a wide range of
innovative work that explores narrative and aesthetic possibilities within the documentaries
and fiction films. His first film, the hour long documentary
HANDSWORTH SONGS was on of the first documentaries to be theatrically release
in London?s West End in 1980?s, followed by a nationwide release around the country.
John followed this with the critically acclaimed documentary
SEVEN SONGS FOR MALCOLM X and an award winning documentary film on Afro-Futurism
THE LAST ANGEL OF HISTORY. John has made
more then 15 documentaries and won numerous awards.
His Feature film work includes the
critically acclaimed TESTAMENT ? WHO NEEDS
A HEART and
SPEAK LIKE A CHILD. All three
films have had theatrical releases and have been broadcast on British television.
In 2000, john was awarded the prestigious
Gold Digital Award at the Cheonju International Film Festival in
John Akomfrah is in Jury
International, MIFF 2006.
Contact:
Smoking Dog Films,
1st floor,
Tel: +44 20 7249 6644
Fax: +44 20 7249 6655
Email:
john@smokingdogsfilms.com
THE CALL OF MIST
11 min/1998/A Smoking Dogs Films
in Association with Illumination TV for BBC TV
A short film on cloning, death and
politics. A photojournalist retreats to the
RIOT
50 min/2000/Smoking Dogs Films for
Channel Four TV
?Untold
Season? history documentary on the Toxteth riots of 1981, the most violent civil
disturbance in
Dazzling Digital Award
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF LOUIS ARMSTRONG
65 min/2000/ Smoking Dogs Films
for BBC TV/Bravo
OMNIBUS portrait of the maestro.
Film charts his life as modernist innovator; first great jazz soloist; bandleader,
pop star; actor and American cultural ambassador. A celebratory film on a legendary
genius. Narrated by Danny Glover.
Festival : Worldwide
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAYS OF HOPE
60 min/1997/BBC TV
?Martin Luther King Days of Hope?
is a revealing portrait of the private life and inner struggles of Martin Luther
King Jr. Champion of non-violent protest and martyr of the Civil Rights Movement.
The film tells the story of Dr. King?s childhood and formative years, his early
triumphs for Civil Rights and his personal sacrifices, his wilderness years and
his rise to international prominence.
Awards: BestArchive, Best Documentary,
The PeoplesAward Delhi International Film Festival 1998.
SEVEN SONGS FOR MALCOLM X
52 mm/1993/ Black Audio Film Collective
for
Channel Four TV
The life and times of the father
of the black revolution, El Hag Malik Shabazz, aka Malcolm X. Featuring interviews
with filmmaker Spike Lee, Malcolm X?s wife Betty Shabazz and friends. A detailed
portrait of the black leader who in his lifetime was called the ?angriest man in
Winner of:
Best Historical Documentary, National
Black Programming Consortium
Prized PiecesAwards 1993
Award History/Biography
Best Feature Length Non Fiction
Film 1 Film Festival of Black Culture 1994
THE LASTANGEL OF HISTORY
45 mm/i 995/Black Audio Film Collective
in association with ZDF
A sci-fi drama-documentary on Afro-futurism
and
black unpopular culture. A Computer
hacker enters
a Faustian pact in which he trades
his soul for secrets
of his future....
Festivals :
Winner: Prix Paul Robeson for cinema,
FESPACO Film Festival,
MEMORY ROOM 451
20 mm/i 997/Black Audio Films for
ZDF/Arte TV
A ?Fake? documentary from the future.
A time traveler interviews ?Old earth people? on hair, desire and memory. With Brian
Bovell. Mo Sessay and Cyni Nri. |