WestConn Film Series Honors

Black History Month

DANBURY — In honor of February’s Black History Month, Western Connecticut State University will be commemorating its ninth annual Festival of African Films.

Long Day’s Journey Into Day by Frances Reid and Deborah Hoffman will be shown at 12:30 pm on February 1 and 7 pm on February 4. The film explores the aftermath of apartheid in South Africa through several vignettes featuring a white apartheid advocate now remorseful for his actions, an American murdered in her quest to end apartheid, and many others.

A double feature, Kounandi by Apolline Traore and Monday’s Girls by Ngozi Onwurah, will be screened on February 8 at 12:30 pm and February 11 at 7 pm. Both films explore the complexities of women’s lives in Africa.

Saaraba (Wolof for Utopia), a 1988 film by Amadou Seck, will be featured February 15 at 12:30 pm and February 17 at 7 pm. The film traces a group of young men and their search for a Utopian lifestyle.

Kafi’s Story by Ami Hardie and Arthur Howes and Nuba Conversations by Arthur Howes will be screened as a double feature on February 22 at 12:30 pm and February 25 at 7:30 pm. Both films, which were shot in 1989, offer a glimpse into the life of Nuba villagers just weeks before a series of civil wars produced devastating effects on the region. 

All films will be screened in the Student Center Theatre on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White Street. All screenings are free and open to the public. For more information, call 837-8672.