On April 13, the 76th Cannes Film Festival announced the films chosen to participate in its official competition. Two African productions have been selected to try to win the Palme d’Or of this edition which will be held from 16 to 23 May.
Two African films were selected to try to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The information was made public at the official announcement of the
19 films will be in the running to win the 76th gold prize at the Cannes Film Festival from 16 to 23 May. Africa is not left out with two films selected. Among them are «Banel et Adama» by Franco-Senegalese filmmaker Ramata-Toulaye Sy (photo), and «Olfa’s daughters» by Tunisian Kaouther Ben Hania. Shot in the Pulaar language, a variety of Peul mainly spoken in Senegal, with a team mostly Senegalese, Banel and Adama seem to attach great importance to the identity it conveys.
The daughters of Olfa a documentary that follows the tumult of the life of a woman whose two teenage daughters are radicalizing and joining the terrorist organization Daesh in Libya.
“The focus has been more on Asia in the last 20 years, with other countries like Japan, and now on Africa, because that’s where a number of young filmmakers from North Africa, East Africa, are coming from. from English-speaking Africa or sub-Saharan Africa, as Senegal is in competition,” explains Thierry Fremaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival.
The two filmmakers are not the only ones to represent the African continent. Sudanese Mohamed Kordofani, Congolese Baloji Tshiani, as well as Moroccans Kamal Lazraq and Asmae El Moudir were also selected in the “Un certain regard” section of the official selection dedicated to young talent and innovation.
