The lineup for the 2015 edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), which will run from May 6 – 12, announced a couple of weeks ago, includes a few titles you’ll recognize like Côte d’Ivoire native Philippe Lacôte’s feature film debut, "Run," which made its world premiere at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival last year, in the Un Certain Regard sidebar – a program created to recognize young, promising talent and to encourage innovative and daring storytelling on film.
The film’s intriguing synopsis reads: "Run is running away… He has just killed his country’s prime minister. To escape, he has taken on the face and clothes of a madman, wandering throughout the town for months. Run speaks of his “transformation into a madman.” He tells the tale of his chaotic journey, like that of the Ivory Coast, by deliberately placing himself beyond the edge of reason. His life returns to him in flashes: his childhood with Master Tourou, when he dreamt of becoming a rainmaker; his incredible adventures with Greedy Gladys, and his past in the militia as a Young Patriot. Run has not chosen all of these lives. He has stumbled into them, escaping from one life to another. This is why he is called “Run.”"
The film’s starring cast includes Isaach de Bankole (likely the most familiar to S&A readers; he recently starred in Andrew Dosunmu’s "Mother Of George"), Abdoul Karim Konate (he starred in Bamba Souleymane’s "Burn It Up Djassa") and Rasmane Ouedraogo (the veteran featured in films like Ousmane Sembene’s "Moolaadé").
By the way, a short film by director Lacôte is currently traveling with the African Metropolis initiative, which features 7 African directors, each exploring their own "African Metropolis" on film.
Watch 3 clips from the film, embedded below, which are subtitled in English. They are followed by a trailer for the film, which is not subtitled in English.
"Run" screens at the NYAFF on Monday, May 11, 9pm, which will be followed by a Q&A with star Isaach de Bankolé.
And here’s the trailer:
