The Cultural Center of Spain in Miami and The Koubek Center of Miami Dade College join the celebration of International Women’s Month by offering a selection of African films directed by women, part of the Ellas son cine program of the Fundación Mujeres por África based in Madrid, Spain, ans curated by Guadalupe de Arensburg. 

These films not only open a window on diverse themes and realities but do so with a look and a sensibility that does not always find space in the industry – and not only in Africa. In its entire history, the Academy has only nominated seven women for an Oscar in the Best Director category.

Ellas son cine is the main program of the audiovisual project of the Women for Africa Foundation. Its main objective is to promote the knowledge and enjoyment of cinema directed by African women. The program, which celebrated its ninth edition last year, has screened 42 feature films and 7 short films from 18 countries. 

This presentation is at the Koubek Center (2705 SW 3rd St. Miami 33135). It is the first time Ellas son cine has been offered in the United States. The three films selected have subtitles in Spanish and English and are free admission. 

Tickets: www.koubekcenter.org 

Friday March 18 @ 8PM
Nommer 37 (2018)

110 min. Sudáfrica

Synopsis: Remake of a short film of the same name. Trapped in his apartment, Randal Hendricks, who recently became a paraplegic, receives a gift from his girlfriend: a pair of binoculars. Randal owes a financial debt to Emmie, a business shark. When Randal sees a powerful criminal commit murder, he starts a blackmail operation. (FILMAFFINITY).

Directed by – Nosipho Dumisa, Travis Taute

Script – Nosipho Dumisa

Music – James Matthes

Photography – Zenn van Zyl

Cast – Sandi Schultz, Deon Lotz, Irshaad Ally, Amrain Ismail-Essop, Monique Rockman.

Producer – Gambit Films

Genre – Thriller | Remake

Saturday March 19 @ 8PM
Adam (2019)

98 min. Morocco 

Synopsis: Abla runs a humble bakery out of her home in Casablanca, where she lives alone with Warda, her 8-year-old daughter. Her routine, dictated by work and housework, is interrupted one day when someone knocks on her door. It’s Samia, a young, pregnant woman looking for a job and a roof over her head. The little girl is attracted to the newcomer from the very first moment, but her mother is initially opposed to welcoming the stranger into their home. Gradually, however, Abla’s determination gives way, and Samia’s arrival opens the possibility of a new life for all three of them.

Directed by – Maryam Touzani

Script – Maryam Touzani, Nabil Ayouch

Photography – Virginie Surdej

Cast – Lubna Azabal, Nisrin Erradi, Douae Belkhaouda, Aziz Hattab, Hasnaa Tamtaoui

Co-production Morocco-France-Belgium; Ali n’ Productions, Les films du nouveau monde, Artemis Films

Genre – Drama / Friendship/ Family 

Awards 2019: Cannes: Un Certain Regard (Official section) 2019: Festival de Valladolid – Seminci: Official section

Sunday March 20 @ 5PM
Papicha (2019)

106 min. Argelia

Synopsis: Algeria, 1990s. Eighteen-year-old Nedjma, a student living in the university town of Algiers, dreams of becoming a stylist and refuses to let the tragic events of the Algerian civil war prevent her from leading a normal life and going out at night with her friend Wassila. At nightfall, she slips through the city’s wire fences with her best friends to go to the discotheque where she sells her creations to the ‘papichas’, the young Algerian girls. The political and social situation in the country continues to worsen. Nedjma refuses to accept the prohibitions of the radicals and decides to fight for her freedom and independence by organizing a fashion show.

Direction – Mounia Meddour

Script – Fadette Drouard, Mounia Meddour

Music – Rob

Photography – Léo Lefèvre Reparto – Marwan Zeghbib, Lyna Khoudri, Shirine Boutella, Amira Hilda Douaouda, Yasin Houicha, Zahra Manel Doumandji, Aida Ghechoud, Nadia Kaci, Meriem Medjkrane, Samir El Hakim, Khaled Benaissa, Abderrahmane Boudia, Malek Ghellamat, Ahmed Benaïssa, Amine Mentseur

Production – Co- Production Argelia-France-Belgium-Qatar; Ink Connection, High Sea Production, Scope Pictures, Tayda Film, Tribus P Film, Same Player, Fonds Impact

Genre – Drama | Religion | Fashion | The 1990s | Feminism | Based on a true story.

Awards 2019: Premios César: Best debut work and actor revelation (Khoudri) 2019: Festival de Cannes: Un Certain Regard (Sección oficial) 2019: Festival de Valladolid – Seminci: Best new director and Audience Award.