Sambizanga

Sarah Maldoror’s classic feature reveals the human cost of colonial oppression during Angola’s struggle for independence. Domingos Xavier, an Angolan revolutionary activist, is arrested by the Portuguese secret police and taken to prison in Luanda. Determined to find her husband, Maria leaves the village with her baby on her back, aided in her quest by men and women sympathetic to her story and Domingos’ cause. This landmark film is an incisive and powerful anti-colonial drama. Contains scenes of torture. Restored by Cineteca di Bologna and The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at L'Image Retrouvée (Paris) from the 35mm original negatives, in association with Éditions René Chateau and the family of Sarah Maldoror. Funding provided by Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. This restoration is part of the African Film Heritage Project, an initiative created by The Film Foundation's World Cinema Project, the FEPACI and UNESCO - in collaboration with Cineteca di Bologna - to help locate, restore and disseminate African cinema. The screening of Sambizanga on Wednesday 2 September will be introduced by season curator Annouchka de Andrade.