Angola
Angola Delegation
November 19-26, 2010
Filmmaker: Hana Siddiqi, New Muslim Cool
Expert: Xandra Castleton
“We discussed the new growth in art and film in Luanda, and the importance of bringing programs like the American Documentary Showcase to Angola––as it is just beginning to recover from the effects of a long civil war.” – Hana Siddiqi
Delegate Report
Hana Siddiqi
The African country of Angola has had independence from Portuguese rule for 35 years, but went through a long, devastating civil war. From my impression of Luanda, the capital city, they are in the early stages of building all industries. The gap between the rich and poor is vast, and the country is using its oil wealth to expand industries and the job market.
All over Luanda, I saw buildings in the construction stage—the place will surely look very different in five to 10 years. There are several building projects underway, in particular the Ilha––the beach area––is meant to be reconstructed as a tourist attraction. As for the film industry, it is at the very basic level of development. They need more training and equipment, but it looks like the Ministry of Culture is putting in an effort to develop the young film students.
Luanda
The opening night event was at Cine Atlantico—a large outdoor theatre—and came with much ceremony, including a speech from the Minister of Culture, a cultural dance performance and a government-sponsored film about the railway in Angola. I met a few locals and talked to them briefly outside the theatre and also met an Angolan graphic novelist whose work was on display.
The US Embassy in Angola brought us in for a security and medical briefing, where we met several people, including the newly appointed Ambassador David Brooks. We also checked out the venues where we’d be giving workshops and also attended some of the FICLuanda Film Festival workshops of the other presenters.
The road to the mosque for New Muslim Cool screening
Xandra and I gave a workshop on the topic Stereotyping and Media Representation to a group of Angolan journalists as well as women from a domestic abuse organization. There, we showed images and clips, and had an educational dialogue all around. I think we learned as much from their point of view as they did from ours. One of the points they brought up was the stereotyping that occurs around and about people with HIV and AIDS. It added a deeper dimension to the already complex discussion on race, gender and class.
The USA Day screening of New Muslim Cool for the FICLuanda Film Festival at Cine Atlantico was attended by 250 people. David Brooks gave a great speech and introduced Xandra and me. The film was followed by a rich Q&A session, in which many members of the Angolan minority Muslim community were present. It was probably the first opportunity for this community to publicly voice some of their concerns and challenges as an unrecognized community in Angola.
The next day, we went to Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA), a government-owned radio station that reaches all parts of Angola. Both Xandra and I were interviewed on the show “Setima Arte” on November 28. We talked about New Muslim Cool, as well as some hot topics about Islam and politics that it brings up. He also had many questions for Xandra about the film industry in the US, Hollywood, and opportunities that may be available to support film industries in other countries such as Angola.
Later that day, we went to the art gallery and headquarters for the II Trienal De Luanda, a cultural event that takes place every three years with a goal of bringing international art and artists to Angola, as well as promoting the importance of art and culture in the lives of post-war Angolans. With the organizer, we discussed the new growth in art and film in Luanda, and the importance of bringing programs like the Triennal and the American Documentary Showcase to Angola––as it is just beginning to recover from the effects of a long civil war.
I gave a lecture on Documentary Film to the Film Institute students, which took place at the Portuguese Cultural Center and Art Gallery. There was a full house of at least 60 students. The students had many questions, most of them very basic. They took extensive notes and also enjoyed watching film clips and trailers that I used during the workshop. After a short break, the students returned for Xandra’s workshop on Fiction Film and Screenwriting. After her workshop, we asked the students to pitch their film ideas. The students stayed after, asked many questions and had a lot of energy and excitement for their film ideas.
That night, we went to Cine Atlantico for the closing ceremony of the FICLuanda Film Festival. There we also met some of the students from earlier, who continued to pitch their ideas to us over dinner. During the awards ceremony, New Muslim Cool won the Best International Documentary category, and I was presented with a trophy from the Minister of Culture.
xandra & ladies in mosque
The meeting and screening with the Muslim community was rescheduled for Friday—in time for the “Jummah” congregational prayer. The tall, white structure was hidden in a poor, unassuming neighborhood. When we arrived, there were men lining up for prayer all around the outside of the mosque, as the inside was completely packed with people. They were standing on plastic bags and some of them actually part way in the muddy puddles trying to find room to stand for the formal prayer. We went in and caught the prayer, then watched as half the attendees left the mosque to return to their jobs.
Xandra and I along with Katherine and Ana Paula from the US Embassy, were in the women’s section upstairs talking to the some of the women about what we were doing there. We then went down to the main hall to meet with David Ja, the head of the community. We sat in front of a huge crowd filling the main prayer hall of the mosque. There, sitting on a table in front, he gave a speech about the importance of open dialogue and gave some history about the Muslim community in Angola. Many of them, he said, were from West Africa––in particular Guinea Conakry—and spoke Fulani, whereas the rest were newly converted Angolans, mostly first generation Muslims. There are 58 mosques, he said, throughout Angola. After him, the Imam spoke welcoming us to the mosque and another man gave a beautiful, melodic recitation from the Qur’an.
Next, Daniel Villanueva spoke about the relations between the US and the world Muslim community and brought up some points from President Obama’s speech in Egypt. Next, I spoke briefly letting them know what an honor and pleasure it was to meet the Muslim community in Angola on the blessed occasion of the Jummah prayer. I also spoke a little about Islam in America, religious freedom and what a great opportunity it was to learn about one another’s communities.
Press
Xandra Castleton, American Documentary Showcase Visits Angola, sf360.org, Jan 11, 2011
