Sarah Maldoror Trilogy (2024 restoration by CNC)

Sarah Maldoror: À Bissau, le carnaval (GW 1980).

Sarah Maldoror: Fogo, l'île de feu (FR/CV 1979).

Sarah Maldoror: Cap-Vert, un carnaval dans le Sahel (FR/CV 1979).

Festa - a Trilogy by Sarah Maldoror 

Il Cinema Ritrovato, Bologna 2024: Cinemalibero.

Introduced by Annouchka De Andrade.

Viewed at Jolly Cinema, Monday 24 June 2024.

FOGO, L’ÎLE DE FEU

FR/CV = Cape Verde 1979. Director: Sarah Maldoror. Scen.: Sarah Maldoror, François Maspéro. F.: Pierre Bouchacourt. M.: Salvatore Burgo. Mus.: José Pereira Cardozo. Prod.: Sarah Maldoror. DCP. 33’. Col.

In French and Portuguese with English subtitles - e-subtitles by Valentina Cristiani

From: CNC – Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée

Restored in 4K in 2024 by CNC – Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée, using the original 16 mm camera negative and magnetic track.

CAP-VERT, UN CARNAVAL DANS LE SAHEL

Carnaval à São Vicente / Carnival in the Sahel

FR/CV = Cape Verde 1979. Director: Sarah Maldoror. Scen.: Sarah Maldoror. F.: Pierre Bouchacourt. M.: Salvatore Burgo. Prod.: Sarah Maldoror. DCP. 28’. Col.

In French and Portuguese with English subtitles

From: CNC – Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée

Restored in 4K in 2024 by CNC – Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée, using the original 16 mm camera negative and magnetic track.

À BISSAU, LE CARNAVAL

Carnival in Bissau

Director: Sarah Maldoror

Year: 1980

Country: GW = Guinea-Bissau

In French with English subtitles

T. alt.: Carnaval en Guinée Bissau. F.: Jean-Michel Humeau, Sana Na N’hada, Florentino Gomes. M.: Stéphanie Moore, Catherine Adda, Sylvie Blanc. Prod.: Sarah Maldoror per INCA – Instituto Nacional de Cinema e Audiovisual, Guinée-Bissau. DCP. 30’. Col.

From: CNC – Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée

Restored in 4K in 2024 by CNC – Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée, using the original 16 mm camera negative and magnetic track.

Annouchka de Andrade (Bologna Catalogue 2024): " After having filmed the struggle for independence in Angola (Monangambé, 1968; Sambizanga, 1972) and Guinea-Bissau (Des fusils pour Banta, 1971), Sarah Maldoror travelled to the Cape Verde Islands in 1979 and Guinea-Bissau in 1980 to film the first years of their independence. "

" Given the international acclaim of Sambizanga, the first film to raise awareness of the ordeals endured by the former Portuguese colonies, the leaders of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau soon called upon Maldoror to direct a film to document the countries’ newfound independence. "

" On the occasion of the Carnival and May Day festivities, the filmmaker reaffirms the convictions of her friend and leader Amílcar Cabral – founder of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) – for whom culture is an expression of history, the foundation of liberation and a means of countering colonial domination. "

" Shot prior to the coup d’état of November 1980 in Guinea-Bissau – bringing an end to the PAIGC – these films remain the last testimonials of the union of the two countries. "

" During the May Day celebrations depicted in Fogo, l’île de feu, we attend the speech given by the Prime Minister of Cape Verde surrounded by Guinean-Bissé leaders, who have gathered to celebrate Amílcar Cabral. François Maspero’s commentary reminds us of the historical significance of the archipelago – from a trading post for the Portuguese to a safe haven for sailors crossing the headlands. He points out that today, although Fogo has become an island deserted by drought, its population organises a unique festival every year, combining conquest and legends in a spectacle of light. "

" In Cap-Vert, un carnaval dans le Sahel and À Bissau, le carnaval, Maldoror films the preparatory stages for the procession – from its meticulous mask-making to its inventive costumes – and her camera lingers on gestures and faces to reveal the display of the imaginary, a source of pride for an entire people. "

" In this trio of shorts, Sarah Maldoror interweaves culture, tradition and politics, somewhere between documentary and poetry, culminating in a singular result. "

" My sister Henda and I were committed to restoring these three films to be able to present them together in a single programme as an expression of the emancipating force of culture, and as an illustration of the poetic cinema of our mother, Sarah Maldoror. " Annouchka de Andrade (Bologna Catalogue 2024)

AA: In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, three marvellous films by Sarah Maldoror, made in 1979-1980 in Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau, then newly independent from Portuguese colonialism.

This screening was made special by the presence of Annouchka De Andrade, the director's daughter.

Cape Verde had been for 500 years a Portuguese colony and a hub of slave trade in its time. Parts of Guinea-Bissau had been under some rule of the Portuguese empire for half a century, and it was also one of the earliest centres of Atlantic slave trade. The great leader in the fight for freedom for Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde was Amílcar Cabral (1924-1973), fondly remembered in the films.

In her jubilant trilogy Sarah Maldoror (1929-2020) celebrates the vitality of the newly liberated people. They are poor in materia but rich in spirit, beauty and joy of life. The volcanic force of Cape Verde seems to emanate even from the people.

I included Maldoror's fiction drama Sambizanga in my Sight & Sound 2022 Top Ten list of the greatest films of all time. This documentary trilogy shares its vibrant feeling, energy and life-affirming rebel spirit.

Maldoror displays her art and talent of observation in scenes of quotidian life and hard work, for instance in fishermen dealing with huge catches of fish. Education is covered in views of school classes. African unity and freedom is celebrated in epic demonstrations. "But but they also know how to party" - and mount festivals: life is a party. The last film is dedicated to a carnival. Maldoror excels both in magnificent establishing shots and vivid close-ups.

These films are also about the joy of colour and gorgeous music.

I was thinking about the engrossing Nome (Guinea-Bissau /Angola /France/Portugal 2023) by Sana Na N'Hada that covers the war for the independence of Guinea and Cape Verde. The story starts in 1969 and follows a troubled path long past independence. I was moved to hear on its soundtrack "Grândola, Vila Morena" by José Afonso. I was singing it, too 50 years ago in events of solidarity to the liberation fighters.