Black Films Shine at 60th Chicago International Film Festival
The 60th Annual Chicago International Film Festival, which runs until October 27, showcases the rich diversity of Black diasporic narratives from around the world, from Cabo Verde off the coast of West Africa to São Paulo, Brazil, and right here in the United States.
The festival pays homage to its host city by featuring works that embody the soul and history of Black Chicago. Notable films include "Save the Children," the 1973 documentary chronicling Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH’s Black Expo, "The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells," which highlights the legendary sculptor’s story and his masterpiece, "The Light of Truth" monument commemorating the legacy of the legendary Black woman journalist.
Film Listings:
- The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire
- Director: Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich (United States)
- Languages: English, French
- Genres: Biopic, Film on Film, Literary Adaptation, Women-Centered
- Synopsis: An actress delves into the life of Suzanne Césaire, merging reality and memory to explore the pioneering writer and activist’s complexities.
- Screening Dates: October 24, 25
- Black Perspectives Shorts: Growing Pains
- Countries: Brazil, Canada, France, Kenya, United States
- Languages: French, Haitian Creole, Swahili
- Synopsis: Short films across the diaspora showcasing protagonists maturing through challenging and uncomfortable truths.
- Screening Dates: October 19
- Blitz
- Director: Steve McQueen (United Kingdom)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Drama, Family Affairs, Historical
- Synopsis: During WWII, 9-year-old George embarks on a journey through war-torn London to reunite with his family.
- Screening Dates: October 22, 24
- Color Book
- Director: David Fortune (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Drama, Family Affairs, Social Commentary
- Synopsis: A father takes his son to his first baseball game, facing unexpected challenges in this intimate neorealist drama.
- Screening Dates: October 18, 19
- Compensation (1999)
- Director: Zeinabu irene Davis (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Drama, Historical, Romance
- Synopsis: Newly restored, this Chicago drama tells two love stories, a century apart, that resonate with one another in profound ways.
- Screening Dates: October 27
- Dahomey
- Director: Mati Diop (France, Senegal, Benin)
- Languages: French, Fon, English
- Genres: Art, Historical, Political
- Synopsis: A surreal chronicle of the return of 26 stolen artifacts from Paris to Benin and the questions surrounding their reception.
- Screening Dates: October 20, 25
- Ernest Cole: Lost and Found
- Director: Raoul Peck (France)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Art, Historical, Political
- Synopsis: A powerful reclamation of South African photographer Ernest Cole, whose groundbreaking portraits of racial injustice are rediscovered.
- Screening Dates: October 21, 22
- Hanami
- Director: Denise Fernandes (Switzerland, Portugal, Cape Verde)
- Languages: Cape Verdean Creole, Japanese, French, English
- Genres: Coming of Age, Fantasy, Women-Centered
- Synopsis: A young girl’s illness leads her on a surreal journey to the foot of a volcano, where reality and dreams blur.
- Screening Dates: October 22, 23
- The Knife
- Director: Nnamdi Asomugha (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Drama, Social Commentary, Thriller
- Synopsis: A father’s confrontation with an intruder sets off a tense investigation with far-reaching consequences.
- Screening Dates: October 18, 19
- The Light of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument to Ida B. Wells
- Director: Rana Segal (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Art, Historical, Political
- Synopsis: An inspiring film following artist Richard Hunt as he sculpts a monument to civil rights icon Ida B. Wells.
- Screening Dates: October 27
- Listen to the Voices (Kouté vwa)
- Director: Maxime Jean-Baptiste (Belgium, France, French Guiana)
- Languages: French, Guianese Creole
- Genres: Coming of Age, Family Affairs, Music
- Synopsis: Melrick, 13, discovers his family’s tragic past during a summer with his grandmother in French Guiana.
- Screening Dates: October 19, 20
- Nickel Boys
- Director: RaMell Ross (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Coming of Age, Drama, Literary Adaptation
- Synopsis: Based on the award-winning novel, this film chronicles the friendship between two Black teenagers at a reform school in Florida.
- Screening Dates: October 23
- On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
- Director: Rungano Nyoni (Zambia, United Kingdom, Ireland)
- Languages: Bemba, English
- Genres: Drama, Sex and Sexuality, Women-Centered
- Synopsis: Family secrets arise at a funeral, leading to a reckoning as Shula confronts her uncle’s death.
- Screening Dates: October 20, 25
- The Piano Lesson
- Director: Malcolm Washington (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Drama, Family Affairs, Literary Adaptation, Social Commentary
- Synopsis: A family’s battle over a piano heirloom explodes into a confrontation about legacy, identity, and history.
- Screening Dates: October 16
- Save the Children (1973)
- Director: Stan Lathan (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Historical, Music, Social Commentary
- Synopsis: Unseen for 50 years, this documentary captures an electric performance of Black musicians at Chicago’s 1972 Black Expo.
- Screening Dates: October 20, 27
- The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)
- Director: Ivan Dixon (United States)
- Languages: English
- Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Social Commentary
- Synopsis: A Black CIA agent uses his training to lead a guerrilla army against the U.S. government in this powerful tale of resistance.
- Screening Dates: October 20, 23
- The Village Next to Paradise
- Director: Mo Harawe (Austria, France, Germany, Somalia)
- Languages: Somali
- Genres: Drama, Family Affairs, Social Commentary
- Synopsis: The hopes of Somali misfits form the core of this gentle film about the persistence of life amid adversity.
- Screening Dates: October 23, 24
Conclusion:
The 60th Annual Chicago International Film Festival is an exceptional celebration of Black cinematic artistry, diversity, and resilience. With 15 outstanding films showcasing the richness of Black narratives from around the world, this festival is a testament to the power of cinema to inspire, educate, and entertain.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How can I attend the screenings and events?
A: Check the official Chicago International Film Festival website for screening schedules, ticket information, and festival updates.
Q: How can I get in touch with festival organizers or participants?
A: Contact the festival organizers through their official website or social media channels.
Q: Are these films available online or for streaming?
A: Please check the individual film’s availability on streaming platforms or for potential online screenings.
Q: Can I purchase tickets to individual screenings?
A: Yes, check the festival website for ticket sales and availability.
Q: Can I attend in person?
A: Yes, the festival is open to in-person attendance. Check the festival website for COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.
