Public Programs Calendar

DARATT Feature

Director: Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, France/Belgium/Chad/Australia l 2006 l 93min.

In French and Arabic with English subtitles.

In this fable-like gem from Chad, a young man seeks to avenge his father's murder in the aftermath of the country's civil war but finds that justice has complicated consequences when he befriends that man responsible for the crime.

From April 26 to May 10, 2007, the San Francisco International Film Festival will mark its place as the first film festival in the Americas to turn 50. MoAD is excited to be co-presenting BAMAKO by Abderrahmane Sissako.

For the full lineup and to buy tickets, visit http://fest07.sffs.org

"The Edge of the Road Is Listening: Art for the Yoruba Trickster Across the Atlantic.". Explore the myths of Eshu-Elegba, the Yoruba Trickster and show how they illuminate his dark indigo color, his cape of cowrie shells, his long-tailed headdress and multiplicity of images. His portrait comes into sharp focus when you compare his appearances in the popular culture of Brazil, Cuba, and Haiti in the Black Americas, including also Harlem in New York together with his imagery among the Fon, and Yoruba peoples of Benin and Nigeria.

Co-Presented by Bay Area Friends of Ethnic Arts. www.friendsofethnicart.org

Admission: FREE

Oakland East Bay Symphony in association with Jewish Music Festival, MoAD and Grace Cathedral presents a forum on Porgy and Bess: Cultural and Social Influences -Past and Present.

A half-day exploration of the cultural and social forces that influenced the work of George and Ira Gershwin. The forum will also examine the cultural intersection of the Jewish and African American communities which informed the opera and contemporary relations between these two communities.

Participants include: Michael Morgan, Oakland East Bay Symphony; Howard Pollack, University of Houston; Lynne Morrow, Sonoma State University; The Honorable Mark Leno, Assemblyman, San Francisco; Milton Williams, Author; Michael Strunsky, The Ira and Leonore Gershwin Trusts; Anthony Davis, UCSD; and Anne Goldman, Sonoma State University.

Moderator: John Kendall Bailey, Associate Conductor, San Francisco Composers.

In keeping with the multi-venue presentation model used in Mali, MoAD is

collaborating with a diverse group of Bay Area venues to present this stunning work to the broadest of audiences. Join us during the opening night receptions at MoAD, the African American Art and Culture Complex, The Women's Building and San Francisco City Hall.

BIGGER THAN BARBIE Documentary

Director: Tina Davis, South Africa l 2006, 54 minutes

West Coast Premiere

In South Africa, a small group of women from the townships around Cape Town are changing their lives, and exciting people all over the world by making colorful beaded doll.

The film includes appearances from Desmond Tutu, Donna Karan, Annie Lennox and Nelson Mandela.

* Select Monkeybiz items available in museum gift shop.

TSOTSI Feature

Director: Gavin Hood, UK/South Africa | 2005, 94 minutes

Based on the novel by Athol Fugard. Winner of 2006 Academy Award – Best Foreign Language Film.

On the edges of Johannesburg, Tsotsi's life has no meaning beyond survival. One night, in desperation, Tsotsi steals a woman's car. But as he is driving off, he makes a shocking discovery in the backseat. In one moment his life takes a sharp turn and leads him down an unexpected path to redemption ... giving him hope for a future he never could have imagined.

Admission $10

African American Art and Culture Complex

May 18 - September 23, 2007

San Francisco’s African American Art and Culture Complex located in the Western Addition neighborhood will present the work of photographers Akinbode Akinbiyi (Nigeria) and David Damoison (Martinique/France). These same photographers have worked with the youth of the Western Addition to photographically and journalistically record their own experiences - Images Speak Words - as part of I’ve Known Rivers—MoAD’s online story project.

CANTU SUCCUBI Music Video

Director: Christopher St. John, Cuba l 2006 l 4 min

Filmmaker in attendance

This afternoon-dream music video, featuring footage filmed in Cuba of a black woman and her child, with digital animation added, takes viewers on a journey through death to life. It was created to accompany a song called "Canta Succubi" by the San Francisco band Outgrabe.

San Pachando: San Pacho es p’al que Logoce

Director: Daniel Mosquera & Sean Ferry

2006| USA | Colombia | 47 min. | United States Premiere

San Pachando focuses on Afro-Descendent culture and history as manifested in the feast of St. Francis of Assisi locally known as San Pacho, in Choco, Colombia

LA REBELLE (The Rebel) Feature

Director: Sacha Parisot, Haiti l 2006 l 93 min

French with English subtitles.

Director in attendance. Northern California premiere

La Rebelle is a coming-of-age story about a Haitian teenage girl. Lorraine, soon to be 18, lives a life of the wealthy elite in Haiti. To many, she lives a dream life. To others, she's spoiled.

Admission $10

The Womens Building

May 18 - September 23, 2007

The Women’s Building in the Mission District hosted artist Miriam Mihindou (Gabon) who used her artist’s residency as a means to photograph the myriad community of people who use this prominent San Francisco facility. The Womens Building will host a presentation of her work throughout the presentation of the exhibiton at MoAD.

Kibera Kid Short

Director: Nathan Collett, East Africa l 2006 l 12 min

Northern California premiere

Filmmaker in attendance

Twelve-year-old Otieno is an orphan. He lives in Kibera, one of Africa's largest slums, where he has to steal to survive.

MOVEMENT (R)EVOLUTION AFRICA Documentary

Director: Alla Kovgan, United States/Africa l 2006 l 65 min

World Premiere

In an astonishing exposition of choreographic creations, nine African choreographers tell stories of an emergent art form of Contemporary African Dance. Stunning choreography and riveting critiques challenge stale stereotypes of 'traditional Africa' to unveil soul-shaking responses to the beauty and tragedy of 21st century Africa.

LA PETITE VENDEUSE DE SOLEIL (The Little Girl Who Sold The Sun)

Director: Djibril Diop Mambety, Senegal / Switzerland l 1999 l 45 minutes

in Wolof with English subtitles

The last film by Senegalese filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambety (1945-98) is a wondrously affirmative marketplace legend-cum-political allegory about an indomitable crippled girl, granddaughter of a blind street singer, who reinvents herself as a newspaper vendor. The score is infectious, and the metaphor overwhelming. Village Voice

Followed by closing reception

Admission $10

San Francisco City Hall

April 12 - June 22, 2007

The San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, in a programmatic partnership with PhotoAlliance, presents Lens on Life: Ananias Léki Dago, Bayeté Ross Smith and Lewis Watts; an exhibition featuring three artists involved in the exploration of place and identity from both African and African American perspectives. This special exhibition is supported by the San Francisco International Arts Festival and the Museum of the African Diaspora.

Discussion and book reading.

Join us for a lively evening with author, Lalita Tademy and legendary journalist, Belva Davis as they discuss Tademy's career and latest book, Red River.

Red River weaves together history and the story of Tademy's own family to bring us an epic work of fiction, the dramatic, intertwining story of two families struggling to make a place for themselves in an America deeply divided after the Civil War.

Members $7 General $10