REVIEWS & HIGHLIGHTS: Screening of DELA: The Making of El Anatsui
By Fortune Ehiwayas, Lagos
Photo: Olumide Onafuwa
On November 7, 2023, "DELA: The Making of El Anatsui" screened at the recently concluded Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). Here are some highlights from the event.
“Beautiful, beautiful.. Simply amazing
”
The 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), themed Indigenous 2.0 to Global was held in Lagos, Nigeria on November 5-11, 2023. Filmmakers from over 150 countries submitted their narrative features, short films, animations, and documentaries. The selected films were screened at FilmHouse Landmark in Victoria Island, with industry wigs in attendance.
First-time director Oyiza Adaba, founder of Africa-Related, member of NYWIFT, NYFPC and producer of TV series Messengers, traces the early life and career paths of El Anatsui - one of the most revered and iconic art figures from Africa with a global impact. Of the documentary, she said, “I wanted to tell a story in colours - a reflection of the spirit of both the subject and our continent.”
One of Executive Producers and Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Olajide Bello and the editor Mr. Ayodele Banjo of TWPC, were both on hand to engage the audience in the Q & A session that followed the screening.
Attendees include academics from University of Lagos and Yale University, veteran actress Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, musician and saxophonist, Egypt 80’s Tajudeen ‘Baba Ani’ Animashaun, Jazz vocalist Yinka Davies, Genti Media’s Ojiugo Uche and Salma Uche-Okeke, daughter of Uche Okeke the Father of Modernist Art in Nigeria, who was also Anatsui’s employer at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 1976.
“I loved the way his story was told, taking away the political shenanigans and leaving the art. That is the beauty of it all
”
During the two-hour documentary, viewers were transported to various places of influence as seen in El Anatsui’s works - from his birth place in Anyako Ghana, to the locations where his art is displayed around the world.
Mrs. Salma Ifeoma Uche-Okeke expressed her immense pleasure from watching the “nostalgic” documentary and further touched on the sub-theme in the film, encouraging the young ones to maintain patience and character in whatever art they find pleasure; and hoped that more artists in Nigeria will enjoy this kind of exposure through film.
“... reflects the texture of both Africa and the global community”
About the Documentary
The biographical documentary chronicles the foundational influences of El Anatsui. From humble beginnings in Anyako Ghana, thus began an artistic journey that would redefine an art form, create a movement about art from Africa, and produce one of the greatest contemporary artists of our time.
The 2-hour documentary, which took 10 years to make was produced by Africa-Related, and directed by Nigerian journalist and producer Oyiza Adaba, in her directorial debut. The project is supported by Meridian Creative Centre, Jack Shainman Gallery NY, Faysal Khalil, Olajide Bello, Access Bank Ghana, 7-Up Bottling Company Nigeria.
Follow for updates - DELA: The Making of El Anatsui @elanatsuifilm