Sankara is Not Dead 2019
Distributed by Documentary Educational Resources, 108 Water Street, 5A, Watertown, MA 02472; 617-926-0491
Produced by Eugénie Michel-Villette
Directed by Lucie Viver
Streaming, 109 mins
College - General Adult
Area Studies; Political Science; Postcolonialism
Date Entered: 07/12/2021
Reviewed by Michael A. LaMagna, Associate Professor & Reference Librarian, Delaware County Community College, Media, PAFollowing poet Bikontine as he explores the different regions of Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa, through the lens of French colonialism and political uprisings in the past 50 years. As countries continue to struggle with the continuing impact of European colonialism during the 20th century, Sankara is Not Dead, chronicles the lasting legacy of Thomas Sankara as Burkina Faso continues to struggle politically, economically, culturally, and socially. Coming into power as the result of a military coup d'état in 1983, Sankara lead Upper Volta which became Burkina Faso in 1984. The film discusses the changes brought to this country during the short period of political rule of Sankara and the desire to regain the progress made during the period. During Sankara’s time as president, he brought about women’s rights by encouraging women to continue their education and enter the professional workforce. This is evident when he outlawed female gentile mutilation and appointing women to positions high in his government.
As Bikontine visits each region of Burkina Faso, the legacy of what Sankara fought for becomes apparent. This is true as he speaks with a female cabdriver who remembers being empowered to continue her education and strive for a professional career, or a health clinic as patients discuss their reproductive rights options, or agricultural areas to see the harvesting of sugar cane, or the end of the line of uncompleted track for the train bring him for southern Burkina Faso to the north.
Through a mixture of contemporary interviews and historical footage of Sankara speaking, the audience gains an understanding of the continued unrest in this country and the need for a charismatic leader like Sankara that offers hope to the people struggling economically. The desire for this type of leadership in a country whose leaders corrupt the democratic process is evident in a short scene in which residents discuss a visit by French president Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron. The discussion centered around how to exert economic independence while saddled by crippling debt.
This beautifully shot film is enhanced with the poetic reflections of Bikontine as he visits each region. The film includes a mix of French, More, Dioula with English subtitles that do not distract from the images on screen.
This film is Highly Recommended and relevant for any library collection supporting a curriculum centered on colonial and post-colonial Africa, current African political unrest, the specific political experience of Burkina Faso, and Thomas Sankara. While a general audience will understand and appreciate the political and economic story being told in this film, those with a basic understand of the country’s history will have a more impactful experience with this film.
Awards:
John Marshall Award for Contemporary Ethnographic Media, Camden IFF, USA, 2019; Special Jury Prize, AFRIFF (African Int. Film Festival), Nigeria, 2019; Best Documentary Feature, Budapest IFF, Hungary, 2020; First Prize "Breaking Boundaries", Rhode Island International Film Festival, USA, 2020; Special Mention, DOKer Moscow International Documentary Film Festival, Russia, 2020
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