I know of three films produced by Guinean Mohamed Camara – each of which tackle the taboo subjects of incest and child suicide from an African perspective. Dakan (meaning destiny) is his third, which I watched at South London Gallery as part of Film Africa 2014, and it did not disappoint. Continue reading “Dakan: the ultimate love story”
‘N: The Madness of Reason‘– a docu-drama co-produced by Peter Krüger and award-winning Nigerian writer Ben Okri – left me suspended between discomfort and awe. Continue reading “Review of ‘N: The Madness of Reason’ – a Film Africa London Premiere”
For those of you that have been living under a rock since 2 March 2014, African TV just got sexier with the arrival of YouTube web series ‘An African City’, (see MisBeee Writes 18 May 2014: Reasporans: New African returnees). Continue reading “Talking TV with ‘An African City’ creator Nicole Amarteifio…..”
If I said that a German artist was about to stage an exhibition using Jewish people as live models to recreate scenes from the Holocaust, I am sure even the thought would be abhorrent to most ordinary folk. Continue reading “When human brutality becomes art”
I pulled out this Evening Standard article ‘Girl on the Run‘ because I’ve been an avid fan of Lenora Crichlow ever since she starred in ‘Sugar Rush’ and ‘Material Girl’ – two of my favourite programmes. Continue reading “Notting Hill Carnival and its Crichlow connections”
My dear brother gave me a gospel CD to listen to, which I am ashamed to say, stayed on my living room table for weeks before I ventured to pick it up and play it. Continue reading “Bernard Taylor: Ministering through music”
As Ghana limbers up to do some damage in this year’s Brasil (spelt the Portuguese Brasilian way) 2014 World Cup, it got me thinking about how deep the ties between the West African nation and the country that gave us samba and carnival actually are. Continue reading “The Brasil 2014 World Cup: a family affair”
With London-born Ghanaian director Amma Asante screening her film ‘Belle‘ this month (June 2014), I thought it was high time I checked out what all the drama was about. I had come across Dido Elizabeth Belle’s story in 18th century England, before and had seen the famous picture of her with her Caucasian cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray. But upon reading about her life, I realised there was so much I didn’t know. Continue reading “Belle: a new kind of English rose”
Walking through the streets of St Paul’s and Bank in London recently I was taken by the concentration of churches, guilds and financial institutions and their impressive architecture. Continue reading “Re-writing history with a walk”
In 2013, fabrics heavily influenced by West African batik-style finally took the world by storm. With the likes of Michelle Obama and Beyonce’s sister Solange Knowles readily sporting such outfits, its popularity has been growing. This celebrity endorsement has helped to propel emerging and established designers even higher into the echelons of the fashion industry and the public’s consciousness. See here.
Continue reading “Tracing identity and ownership through batik”
Today, I learnt that my hair is heliotrichous – very curly – for those of you not in the know. I also learnt that the use of the afro comb dates back 6,000 years and engenders extraordinary symbolism. Continue reading “Going back to ma roots”
The next time someone compliments you on your African attire or asks you where it comes from don’t simply says it’s from the Motherland. Actively promote the designer, the label or at least where you bought it from. Continue reading “African Fabrics: Fashion or Fad?”
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