Film Africa 2024: On the Beat

From Ghana to Nigeria, these films highlight the personal and cultural journeys of individuals who use music to transcend societal limitations, preserve their heritage, and inspire new possibilities. Whether it’s the story of a young rapper defying cultural expectations in Jamestown, Ghana, the musical legacy of Fela Kuti, or the rediscovery of Nigerian electronic funk pioneer William Onyeabor, ON THE BEAT celebrates the lasting influence of music in shaping identity, community, and creative expression across Africa.

This screening is a special Dine & View event. All ticket prices include a plate of food to enjoy during the screening.

PROGRAMME:
KUBOLOR directed by Gabriel Kwami Agbolo Efoe, and Cherif douamba (Ghana)
From the southern part of Ghana, Jamestown, meet a young man, Yhaw Phila. Yhaw has a dream of becoming one of the greatest rappers in the world. However, he comes from a society with very orthodox cultural values limiting the dreams of the young people. Kubolor shares the story of a young talented and resilient young man who doesn’t allow any of these old cultural and religious beliefs stop him from dreaming. He’s determined to fight until all his dreams come true.

THE HIGH LIFE directed by Andy Madjitey (Ghana)
A young lady, Afi, finds out she was left a box of unlabelled vinyl records at her deceased stepfather’s will reading. She is not sure how to feel about it considering their turbulent relationship prior to his passing but she’s sent on a journey of discovery and music.

ONE DAY GO BE ONE DAY directed by Akinola Davies (Nigeria)
This new documentary from Carhartt WIP, NTS and Dazed follows the footsteps of Fela Kuti, Nigeria’s most political musical icon.

FANTASTIC MAN directed by Jake Summer (USA)
The brilliant William Onyeabor, the Nigerian electronic funk musician who found fame some 30 years after leaving the music business, sadly passed away on 16 January. The ground breaking artist composed, recorded, pressed and printed nine albums from 1977 to 1985 only to be “discovered” by the world thanks to the 2013 best of record Who Is William Onyeabor? (released by David Byrne’s label, Luaka Bop). Onyeabor’s Fantastic Man track encompasses everything fans adore about him: it’s super-groovy, fuzzy funk—approached in what was an incredibly futuristic way.



ABOUT FILM AFRICA
This screening is part of Film Africa 2024. Film Africa, London’s biggest celebration of African and African diaspora cinema presented by the Royal African Society, returns for its 11th edition from Friday 25 October to Sunday 3 November 2024.

ACCESS
Room will be dark
The films are captioned.
Wheelchair Access and/or Disabled Toilets are available at this site.
Please contact mail@southlondongallery.org with any additional access requirements.
If you would like to attend this event but the ticket price is a limitation please get in touch as we have reserved a number of free tickets for low-income individuals. Contact us at: adoudu@southlondongallery.org