The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Africa in Motion
Various venues in Dundee June 1 - 7
THE ORGANISERS at the Commonwealth Games are just about under starter’s orders, but for those who won’t be attending any of the events, don’t despair.
There are many ways to feel part of the experience, including the very thing for culture vultures. Sport and the movies have produced some classics so this year’s Africa in Motion (AiM) Film Festival is focusing on the inspiring sports stories from the African Commonwealth. More good news is that, as part of a Scottish tour, Dundee cinema-goers can see the films free at venues across the city from June 1 to 7.
AiM is an annual African film festival and since 2006, more than 20,000 people in Scotland have seen more than 350 African films. This year Sports Stories from around the African Commonwealth is an official Culture 2014 event.
“Sports Stories from around the African Commonwealth will explore African sports and culture through film,” says Justine Atkinson, festival project manager. “We believe our programme will increase the diversity of content brought to the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“The tour will involve a wide variety of people from across Scotland, the UK and the wider African diaspora.’’
The first screening is at 7pm this Sunday, June 1, at the Bharatiya Ashram. The Nigerian film, Maami, is the story of a poor, devoted single parent’s struggles to raise her only child, Kashimawo. He is a talented footballer and becomes a star player at an English football club, and consequently, a national hero.
As Dundee has been paired with South Africa during the Commonwealth Games, there will be films to celebrate the role that sport had in that country’s road to democracy.
From June 3 to 6 at the Ardler Complex, there will be nightly screenings at 6.30pm. The first film is Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom, while June 4 also pays tribute to Nelson Mandela with Invictus, a film showing how the South African hero, played by Morgan Freeman, united the country with rugby, one of their most cherished sports.
The next night Ardler will show Otelo Burning, a film about finding freedom through surfing in South Africa. The final film at Ardler is a children’s film, Africa United, which tells the story of three Rwandan children who embark on an epic journey to take part in the opening of the 2010 Football World Cup in Johannesburg.
On June 7, from 11am to 1pm, there is a celebration of the Commonwealth Games for all the family at Finmill Centre.
Working with the centre’s local management group, AiM is offering all generations the chance to get active, whether that’s the grown-ups using the Power Plate fitness machine or arts and crafts workshops, including decorating masks and flags, making necklaces and Kufi hats, and film screenings for children.
Africa in Motion (AiM) Film Festival, throughout Dundee, June 1 to 7. All screenings are free of charge. More details at www.africa-in-motion. org.uk