From a media release:
TORONTO THEATRICAL ENGAGEMENT OF
UNITED STATES OF AFRICA
AT THE BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA JULY 27–30, 2012
Director in attendance July 27 & 28
“Far from a typical making-of music documentary…uses hip hop to uncover the continent’s history of corruption, and sporadic moments of emancipation…” T’Cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
“… a fascinating reflection on the social impact music can have.” Roxane Hudon, Montreal Mirror
Toronto – The electrifying new music documentary United States of Africa will premiere in Toronto starting July 27 at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, with director Yanick Létourneau in attendance. In his fourth documentary, Létourneau follows African hip hop pioneer Didier Awadi as he crafts a new album that pays tribute to the great black revolutionary leaders and their struggle to realize their dream of a united, independent Africa. Produced by Périphéria Productions in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada, United States of Africa won the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2011 Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) and has since been travelling the festival circuit worldwide.
On a sprawling, reflective musical and personal journey that takes him to some 40 countries, Awadi meets and collaborates with hip hop artists Smockey (Burkina Faso), M-1 from Dead Prez (United States) and Zuluboy (South Africa). Featuring a score by Ghislain Poirier, as well as Awadi’s own songs, United States of Africa draws the viewer into one artist’s profound meditation on the power of music and the impact of political engagement, both individual and collective. A hopeful and compelling portrait of a continent whose politically aware youth is refusing to lie down and accept the role of victim, the film is a call for Africans of all generations to rise up, take a stand and take control—of their continent and their destiny.
United States of Africa Interactive is an online experience that invites users to share their vision of Africa using a slogan generator and previously unreleased excerpts from the film.
Screening info:
The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
506 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario
Friday, July 27 – 6:45 p.m. (director in attendance for Q&A)
Saturday, July 28 – 8:45 p.m. (director in attendance for Q&A)
Sunday, July 29 – 8:45 p.m.
Monday, July 30 – 9:00 p.m.
Directed by Yanick Létourneau
Written by Yanick Létourneau, Sébastien Tétrault, Hany Ouichou
Narration – Didier Awadi
Cinematography – Geoffroy Beauchemin, Alexandre Margineanu; Sound – René Portillo; Editing – Sophie Farkas Bolla; Sound Design – Marie-Claude Gagné; Original Music – Ghislain Poirier
Associate Producers – John Christou, Hany Ouichou, Neil Brandt; Producers – Yanick Létourneau (Périphéria Productions), Colette Loumède (NFB)
Produced by Périphéria Productions in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada
TORONTO THEATRICAL ENGAGEMENT OF
UNITED STATES OF AFRICA
AT THE BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA JULY 27–30, 2012
Director in attendance July 27 & 28
“Far from a typical making-of music documentary…uses hip hop to uncover the continent’s history of corruption, and sporadic moments of emancipation…” T’Cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette“… a fascinating reflection on the social impact music can have.” Roxane Hudon, Montreal Mirror
Toronto – The electrifying new music documentary United States of Africa will premiere in Toronto starting July 27 at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, with director Yanick Létourneau in attendance. In his fourth documentary, Létourneau follows African hip hop pioneer Didier Awadi as he crafts a new album that pays tribute to the great black revolutionary leaders and their struggle to realize their dream of a united, independent Africa. Produced by Périphéria Productions in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada, United States of Africa won the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2011 Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) and has since been travelling the festival circuit worldwide.
On a sprawling, reflective musical and personal journey that takes him to some 40 countries, Awadi meets and collaborates with hip hop artists Smockey (Burkina Faso), M-1 from Dead Prez (United States) and Zuluboy (South Africa). Featuring a score by Ghislain Poirier, as well as Awadi’s own songs, United States of Africa draws the viewer into one artist’s profound meditation on the power of music and the impact of political engagement, both individual and collective. A hopeful and compelling portrait of a continent whose politically aware youth is refusing to lie down and accept the role of victim, the film is a call for Africans of all generations to rise up, take a stand and take control—of their continent and their destiny.
United States of Africa Interactive is an online experience that invites users to share their vision of Africa using a slogan generator and previously unreleased excerpts from the film.Screening info:
The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
506 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario
Friday, July 27 – 6:45 p.m. (director in attendance for Q&A)
Saturday, July 28 – 8:45 p.m. (director in attendance for Q&A)
Sunday, July 29 – 8:45 p.m.
Monday, July 30 – 9:00 p.m.
Directed by Yanick Létourneau
Written by Yanick Létourneau, Sébastien Tétrault, Hany Ouichou
Narration – Didier Awadi
Cinematography – Geoffroy Beauchemin, Alexandre Margineanu; Sound – René Portillo; Editing – Sophie Farkas Bolla; Sound Design – Marie-Claude Gagné; Original Music – Ghislain Poirier
Associate Producers – John Christou, Hany Ouichou, Neil Brandt; Producers – Yanick Létourneau (Périphéria Productions), Colette Loumède (NFB)
Produced by Périphéria Productions in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada
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