£10 / £5 MEMBERS / £5 CONCESSIONS
Beyond the Physical Realm explores the intersection of magical realism, African spirituality, and the psychospiritual journeys of their protagonists. From Martinique to Nigeria, Germany to Cape Verde, these films transport viewers into mystical and surreal realms where characters confront their cultural heritage, inner selves, and ancestral legacies.
Through evocative storytelling and rich visuals, these films delve deep into the psychospiritual—where the psyche and the spiritual merge—whether it’s a young girl summoning mythical sirens, a Londoner reconnecting with his Nigerian roots, or a woman facing Cape Verdean folklore in search of healing. Beyond the Physical Realm offers a profound and transformative look at African identity, steeped in ancestral wisdom and the magic of tradition.
Please note that this screening is no longer a special Dine & View event.
PROGRAMME:
SIRENES directed by Sarah Malleon (Martinique)
Daniel is a father, widower, who lives in the North of Martinique with his 8-year-old daughter, Soraya. Fisherman and restaurateur, he tries to make ends meet in a commune affected by a strong economic and social crisis. His daily life is turned upside down the day his daughter sets out to summon sirens using a conch shell. If the girl just wants to make friends, Daniel sees in his new obsession the risk of a dangerous invasion…
OBA directed by Femi Oladigbolu (UK)
In a re-imagined future, a King of a Nigerian village passes. The village kingmakers consult with traditional Gods until Ayo, an unsuspecting young man from South-East London, is selected as the new Oba. Ayo is suddenly plunged into a surreal journey of reconnection and discovery.
INDIGO directed by Mona Okulla Obua (Germany)
Indigo is an afro-surrealist poetry short film telling the story of two black German women who meet during a hair braiding session. First experiencing a moment of aversion, they discover affection through the intimacy of braiding. Merging boundaries between feature film, visual art and poetry, Indigo takes us on a journey through black German community life in the diaspora, hair braiding as a spiritual ritual and female intimacy. The film’s artistic research is based on traditional African hair braiding rituals and the colour indigo as a symbol for life in the diaspora.
MON AFRIQUE directed by Michael Solomon (USA)
Based on “Africa, My Africa” from “Hammer Blows & Other Writings” by Senegalese Poet David Diop (1956), Mon Afrique is an experimental student short film shot on SUPER 8 that explores the experience of diaspora and longing through the journey of a hand-carved traditional African mask.
ABEFELE directed by Amir George (USA)
Abefele is a meditation on spirituality as a sport.
THE PROPHECY directed by Rehanna Ngom (USA)
Americo-Senegalese Tabara suffers from nightmares, in which an evil creature taunts her. After unsuccessful therapy, Tabara decides to travel to Senegal to seek mystical treatment. She will discover dark secrets about her lineage.
ONE DAY directed by Gabriel Kwami Agbolo Efoe, Cherif Douamba (Ivory Coast)
One Day tells the story of two dreamers, Isaac and Acer. Two young boys living in the former colonial town of Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast. Coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, the parents of the two boys held onto the hope that their sons would receive an education as a means to offer them an opportunity for a better life. Yet Isaac and Acer dream of traveling the world and becoming successful. This short film captures a pivotal moment when Isaac and Acer delve into their heritage, cultural roots, and religious beliefs, discovering how these aspects shape their lives.
FINDING SERENITY directed by Ademola Falomo (Nigeria)
Adapted from the poem “Finding Serenity” by Yimeeka. A young man in search of peace gets pulled into a dream to understand that peace is usually found in chaos.
PIRINHA (CAPE VERDE)
Pirinha is a young woman’s journey through the recesses of her subconscious in search of herself and coming to terms with her past. On her journey, she encounters the so-called ‘evil’ creatures from Cape Verdean folklore that she feared so much as a child, only to discover that “true evil” has its roots in someone else. These encounters, however, are sweetened by memories of the most beautiful phase of her life – time spent with her grandmother, a woman ahead of her time who had a peculiar knowledge of traditional medicine and treated her granddaughter with it whenever needed. As a result, Pirinha is also a story of healing steeped in the cultural rituals of Cape Verde. It is a unique journey, but unfortunately one that is so familiar to many women, yet one that brings hope that wounds can be healed, showing that sometimes even supposed demons can bring pirinhas (traditional cape-verdean sweets).
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