Dakan

Dakan Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Dakan is the first Sub-Saharan African film to deal with homosexuality. The focus of the film is the plight of two high school lovers in a society rejects them. They don’t fit into traditional or modern Guinean society, shown through Manga’s ‘traditional’ mother and Sori’s ‘modern’ father. As a result, they’re condemned to a life without love.

From: Guinea, Africa
Watch: YouTube, Vimeo, Kanopy
Next: Jose, I Am Not a Witch, Tanna

The Breakdown

Dakan experienced a lot of protests in Guinea during its production, and once you see the first scene, you’ll understand why. For many countries around the world, homosexuality is taboo or illegal, so to have an opening scene of two men making out in an orange convertible like a scene from an American hetero high school romance is a bit of a shock for the world’s conservative viewers.

The two lovers are both high school students hoping to get into university. They openly show affection for each other at school, where they are largely accepted and left alone, but at home their relationship provides a source of friction for their parents. For Manga’s single mother, she sees Manga’s relationship with Sori as a curse that will deprive her of grandchildren. In contrast, Sori’s father sees Sori’s relationship with Manga as a distraction from his studies and his prosperous future in business.

They also differ in their way of stopping their son’s relationship. Manga’s mum relies on traditional methods, sending Manga away to a traditional witch doctor to be cured. In contrast, Sori’s father, a ‘modern’ businessman, sends Sori to work for him in his company. However, neither route changes how they feel about each other. Their solemn faces throughout the film only emphasizes that there is no place for them in a traditional society founded on the family, or a ‘modern’ society founded on economic growth. There’s no place for their love in Guinea.

Overall Dakan is a good African film that uses homophobia to talk about the common African and third cinema tropes of modernity and tradition. There was a moment in Dakan where I feared the film would turn into an HIV disaster film like Kijiji Changu but fortunately Mohamed Camara doesn’t diminish the relatively progressive portrayal of homosexuality in Africa.

What to Watch Next

If you’re looking for more films from the global south that portray homosexual relationships in countries that don’t have a place for it, check out Jose from Guatemala and Rafiki from Kenya.

Or for more witch doctors trying to cure people in Africa, Zambia’s unique I Am Not A Witch is a must watch.

Finally for more films that feature Romeo + Juliet relationships that are forbidden by society, check out Tanna, featuring an controversial relationship that crosses tribes in Vanuata.

Men in the Arena

Men in the Arena Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

The American Dream doesn’t just exist in the United States. In Men in the Arena you’ll meet two footballers trying to follow their dreams in a country that has banned football. It’s a documentary full of hope and optimism for a better future for Somalia and the Somali football team.

From: Somalia, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Tubi, Kanopy, Amazon Prime, Rent on Amazon, Buy on Amazon
Next: Freedom Fields, Uncertain Future, The Eagle Huntress
Read The Full Review
Mortu Nega

Mortu Nega Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Why Watch Mortu Nega?

  • If you want to see an African protest movie from Guinea Bissau
  • For guerilla warfare along the lines of Che and Flame
  • To see that war doesn’t end when the fighting stops
From: Guinea Bissau, Africa
Watch: Trailer, Kanopy, Buy
Next: Flame, Sambizanga, Lucia
Continue reading “Mortu Nega – Guinea Bissau’s Fight for Independence”
In Search of Voodoo

In Search of Voodoo Film Difficulty Ranking: 1

Why Watch In Search of Voodoo?

  • For an introduction to Voodoo culture
  • If you like to learn about world cultures
  • To see the effect of colonialism on local culture
From: Benin, Africa
Watch: Trailer, JustWatch, Hoopla, Kanopy, Tubi, Amazon Prime
Next: Batuque, Golden Fish, African Fish, N!ai
Continue reading “In Search of Voodoo – An Educational Documentary of Voodoo Culture”
Yasmine

Yasmine Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Why Watch Yasmine?

  • For the emotional ups and downs of life in High School
  • If you like martial arts revenge stories (Ip Man, Enter the Dragon, Furie)
  • For a dream team of coaches for a bit of added comedy
From: Brunei, Asia
Watch: Trailer, Hoopla, Kanopy, Tubi, JustWatch
Next: Sepet, Dhalinyaro, Bad Genus
Continue reading “Yasmine – A High School Love Rivalry with Martial Arts”