In an eclectic blend of the experimental, the surreal, non-fiction and hybrids, this segment foregrounds African past and present realities both on the African continent and in the African diaspora. Our Identity as Africans living in a post-colonial Africa, where we are constantly being made to redefine our relationship with the land on which we live - the land taken from us through colonialism and slavery – come under the microscope in this layover segment.

Also highlighted are relationships - relationships we build with each other as people with shared histories, and current realities - the togetherness and unity that comes from knowing that as Africans, we share a lot in common, namely the pain and trauma of events experienced by our forefathers so long ago. How do we interact with each other in the present without carrying the weight of the past? Do we drop the weight of past trauma altogether or is there a way to hold on to these painful histories but in a de-traumatized form?

This layover depicts the strength in unity possessed by Africans and Afro-descended people. It makes a move to shift the focus from a traumatic past to a non-traumatic future of true Pan-Africanism forged by the processes of de-traumatization. The films take us on a journey of decolonization of painful histories and reappropriation for Africans and Afro-descended people. It speaks on the future just as much as it does on the present and the past. It doesn’t seek to hide these histories but show them, as the films depict the strength that arises from the knowledge of these histories.

In conclusion, this layover segment has been carefully put together intentionally to paint a veritably honest picture of the political and social landscape on the African continent from pre-colonial times through the present day, as set against the backdrop of non-fiction, fiction and experimental cinema. We de-traumatize Afro sub-Saharan realties by learning about the past and reappropriating it, working on shaping the present with the knowledge of the past and looking to the future, careful to ensure new histories are created for future generations.

Badewa Ajibade
Guest curator

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