“Disco Afrika: a Malagasy story” or the dilemma between moral values and betrayal – Media7
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 11:12 p.m.
Marrakech – The feature film “Disco Afrika: a Malagasy story” by director Luck Razanajaona, screened Thursday, as part of the official competition of the 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, evokes the dilemma between moral values and betrayal.
This 80-minute film tells the story of a 20-year-old Malagasy boy, Kwame, who tries to make a living in clandestine sapphire mines. Following an unexpected event, he must return to his hometown where he finds his mother and old friends. Tossed by conflicting feelings, he will have to choose between easy money and fraternity, individualism or awakening to political consciousness.
Through a look of kindness, the young Malagasy filmmaker depicts the eventful journey of a young man in search of the history of his family, while being emotionally torn by contradictory feelings.
This film explores the complex nuances of individualism and offers a reflection on awakening to political consciousness. The protagonist is thus confronted with decisions that transcend his own person, forcing him to navigate between the tumultuous waters of personal interests and social ideals.
This duality thus offers a thematic depth which encourages the viewer to question the moral and ethical choices that each person may be confronted with.
“The message that I wish to convey through this film is that, despite the trials of life, we must always maintain hope,” said the filmmaker in a statement to MAP, adding that he wanted to highlight the fact that African youth are capable of actively contributing to the future of their countries.
Luck Razanajaona also expressed his joy at being able to present his feature film in Morocco as part of the 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, explaining that it was very important for him that this film be previewed in an African country.
Luck Razanajaona is a young Malagasy filmmaker who graduated from the Higher School of Visual Arts (ESAV) in Marrakech. He participated in prestigious programs such as Berlinale Talents, the Rotterdam Lab and La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde in Cannes to develop his film projects. His short films and documentaries have been selected in numerous festivals around the world. “Disco Afrika”, produced by We Film, is his first fiction feature film.
In addition to “Disco Afrika” (France, Madagascar, Mauritius, Germany, South Africa), the list of films in the running for this edition’s Golden Star includes “Les Meutes” by Kamal Lazraq, “The Mother of All Lies” by Asmae El Mudir, “Bye Bye Tibériade” by Lina Soualem, “Banel & Adama” by Ramata-Toulaye Sy (France, Senegal, Mali), “City Of Winds” by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir (France, Mongolia, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Qatar), “The Other Son” (Colombia, France, Argentina) and “Excursion” by Una Gunjak (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, France, Norway, Qatar)
Also in competition are “Notre Monde” by Luàna Bajrami (Kosovo, France), Dormitory” (Turkey, Germany, France) by Juan Sebastián Quebrada, “Prison in the Andes” by Felipe Carmona (Chile, Brazil), “Silent Roar” by Johnny Barrington (UK), “Toll” by Carolina Markowicz (Brazil, Portugal), and “Tuesday” by Daina O. Pusič (US, UK).
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival aims to be a place of expression and discovery for renowned filmmakers from several countries, in order to present and discover their cinematographic works, in an environment of exchange, sharing and cultural and artistic enrichment.
