Films

Born This Way
by Shaun Kadlec and Deb Tullmann
USA/Cameroon, 82 min., documentary, OV, English subtitles

More people are imprisoned for homosexuality in Cameroon than in any other country in the world. With intimate access to the lives of two young gay Cameroonians, Born This Way is a vivid portrait of day-to-day life in modern Africa. Lyrical imagery, devastating homophobia, and a courtroom drama coalesce into a story of what is possible in the global fight for equality.

Jewels of Grief
by Mohamed El Moudni Nabil
Morocco/Germany 2012, 74 min., documentary, OV, English subtitles

Nezha and Nadia are single mothers in Morocco. In this predominantly Muslim country, single motherhood is still considered a violation of law, religion and morals. Women like them are ostracized by their families, by society and the state and have to find a way to survive. In spite of discrimination and loneliness, especially Nadia doesn’t want to put up with the situation and dares to trust in the chance for a better life...
Director present.

Sarabah
by Maria Luisa Gambale and Gloria Bremer
USA/Senegal 2011, 60 min., documentary, OV, English subtitles

Sister Fa – rapper and singer from Senegal, now based in Germany. She is haunted by the memories of female cutting and starts a campaign of information about its risks. This moving documentary follows the courageous woman on her journey from Berlin to her home village, where she will confront the community with this conflict-ridden issue. How will they react? A hopeful portrait of an exceptional singer.
Four awards.
Sister Fa present.

Status of Life
by Patricia Lewandowska
Germany/Lesotho/South Africa 2012, 72 min., documentary, OV, German subtitles

HIV in South Africa and Lesotho is at the same time a taboo and a normal course of life. Approximately 30.000 people per month are infected. The documentary follows four young women whose lives are affected by the virus in different ways. Impressively, they manage the balance between fear and normality and through incredible bravery live their dreams: have a baby, raise awareness, find happiness.
Director present.

Tall as the Baobab Tree
by Jeremy Teicher
Senegal/USA 2012, 82 min., feature film, OV, English subtitles

Coumba lives in a rural village in Senegal. When her brother breaks his leg, her father decides to marry off her younger sister, Debo, to get dowry money for the medical treatment. Coumba is shocked and tries everything in her clever way to save Debo from an arranged marriage. Beautiful images from a soft spoken culture with passionate resolution for a self-determined life.
Nominated for an award at Montreal Filmfestival.

Ware Frau
by Lukas Roegler and Katrin Eckert
Germany/Nigeria 2013, 44 min., documentary, German version

Nigerian girls and women in the tens of thousands are brought to Europe each year. Hoping for work and a better life they end up as slaves of their “„Madames“ and become victims of sexual exploitation. Tracy is one of the girls who are choked by anxiety –in fear of Nigerian voodoo as well as of being deported by German authorities.
Director present.