A gentle melody, reminiscent of walking through the African savannah, soaked the spring night in Busan on the 21st. The audience held their breath, listening intently to the stories told by the African continent.
The 8th Africa Film Festival kicked off at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Singer Harim, a former ambassador for the Korea-Africa Foundation with a deep passion for African music, opened the event with a stunning celebratory performance.
Taking the stage with a ukulele and an electronic keyboard, Harim captivated the crowd with his soulful voice. The emotional power of music, breaking through borders and language barriers, heightened anticipation for the diverse African films to be showcased.
Harim shared, “Africa is often known as a place where many poor people live, where there are many animals, or where it’s just too hot.” He added, “These days, I’m working to break those stereotypes about various African countries,” sparking cheers from the audience.
In an atmosphere of unity through music, Director Charles Uwagbayi took the stage and delivered a moving message, emphasizing the universal power of storytelling that transcends borders and cultures.
A Nigerian-Canadian, Uwagbayi directed the Kenya-Canada co-production ‘Kipkemboi,’ the main feature of this festival. The film received praise after its premiere at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in November 2023.
For international distribution, the title ‘The Wall Street Boy’ was used instead of ‘Kipkemboi’ (the protagonist’s local name and a symbol of Kenya’s cultural roots) to highlight the film’s nature as a financial thriller.
The film follows the journey of a math genius from rural Kenya who challenges Wall Street, the center of global finance, using cutting-edge digital technology. It has been praised for vividly depicting the energy of youth and the digital innovation of Kenya, often called the ‘Silicon Savannah.’
Director Uwagbayi, who is active in Canada, recalled, “As a child, I developed my creativity while listening to old stories gathered around my mother.” He added, “Now, I share those precious moments of bonding by watching movies with my own children.”
He continued, “These experiences are the same everywhere in the world. Film is a powerful medium that connects people across languages, cultures, and borders,” expressing his deep emotion at presenting his film, completed between Kenya and Canada, to Korean audiences.
Jointly hosted by the Korea-Africa Foundation, the Busan Cinema Center, and Jeonju City, the festival showcases various genres that capture the dynamic present and unique cultural strength of the African continent.
From now until June 14, 16 works from 15 countries will be screened across three cities: Busan, Seoul, and Jeonju. The genres range from drama and thriller to documentary, horror, and romance.
Kim Young-chae, Chairperson of the Korea-Africa Foundation, stated in his opening remarks, “While African films may not be as technologically advanced in terms of sound and image as Korean films, the human emotions, such as love and worry, are similar.” He added, “I hope this festival serves as an opportunity to better understand and communicate with Africa.”
Ko In-beom, CEO of the Busan Cinema Center, said in his welcome speech, “I hope Africa comes across not as a strange and distant continent, but as a close cultural neighbor breathing with us.” He added, “I hope this will be a place for cultural exchange and a time to view the world from a broader perspective.”
Representing the African Diplomatic Corps in Korea (AGA), Kenyan Ambassador Emmy Zerono Kipsoi mentioned the main film ‘Kipkemboi,’ noting that it “symbolizes the resilience of Kenyan youth and, by extension, the youth of the African continent, beyond just a personal story.”
Ambassador Kipsoi emphasized in her congratulatory speech, “The films screened at the festival show the diverse experiences, deep history, and the power of shared aspirations of African people,” highlighting a “vibrant, dynamic, and forward-looking African continent.”
Alongside the screenings, various communication programs will take place during the festival, including ‘Guest Visits’ (GV) to interact with directors and actors, as well as ‘Talk Concerts’ featuring film experts.
