African Films

Gavin Hood's Oscar-nominated gangster drama "Tsotsi" tells the story of a hard-boiled shantytown thug whose heart begins to melt when he accidentally kidnaps a baby during a carjacking gone awry. Presley Chweneyagae's seething performance is the South African's film main attraction.

Haile Gerima's film documents the victory of Ethiopian patriots over the invading colonial power of Italy at Adwa, in the northern part of Ethiopia in 1896.

An insightful review of Ousmane Sembene's film in context of his other work.

Tsitsi Dangarembga's film is an eloquent call for action on behalf of Africa's millions of parentless children.

A documentary by Soraya Mire about female genital mutilation.

Rogert Ebert's review begins with a sermon about why you have to see this film made by Africa's foremost filmmaker Ousmane Sembene.

Cheick Oumar Sissoko's Guimba has been acclaimed as one of the most visually ravishing African films ever made.

The first African Carmen, by the Senegalese director Joseph Gaï Ramaka.

Director Dani Kouyate introduces Western viewers to one of the great epics and heroes of African oral tradition.

A charming feature length animated children's film, directed by Michel Ocelot, based on a West African story of a little boy and a sorceress.

An Algerian/German/French co-production from 2001, directed by Rachid Bouchareb. The site is in French.

This documentary on the struggle for reconciliation and truth in South Africa won the Grand Price of the Jury at the 2000 Sundance Festival.

Raoul Peck's documentary about the deconstruction of Patrice Lumumba and post-colonial Africa.

Mapantsula was the first anti-apartheid feature film by, for and about black South Africans. Directed by Oliver Schmitz.

Washington Post's review of first-time filmmaker Godwin Mawuru (Zimbabwe)courtroom drama.

Roger Ebert's review of "Sarafina!" the Apartheid musical starring Whoopi Goldberg.

Derek Malcom's review of Ousmane Sembene's 1975 film in the Guardian: "[Xala is Sembene's] most successful critique of his own society."