The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIFBM) is a golden opportunity to enrich yourself and see films that will not necessarily be screened elsewhere, underlines its founder and president, Fabienne Colas. But that’s not all ; the event also acts as a platform to allow the next generation of blacks to shine, meet people and recognize themselves, she explains.
“That’s what the festival is all about. 19 years ago, when I arrived here from Haiti, there were very few windows for people who looked like me, says Fabienne Colas. That’s when I told myself that we needed to create our own house, our own movement. »
And 19 years later, has the idea borne fruit? “Everything has evolved in the right direction,” she tells us. There is sensitivity among donors, programs have been put in place and the juries are more diverse. But are we there yet? No way. »
We still have a long way to go in terms of diversity on screen, but also in terms of the people behind the camera. That’s also why we’re here.
Fabienne Colas, president of the MIFBM
The MIFBM and the Fabienne Colas Foundation are instigators of the Being Black in Canada project, a training and mentoring program for young black directors. The participating filmmakers – from six Canadian cities – will present their creations Thursday evening at the Cinema du Parc, as part of the festival.
The documentary in the spotlight
“It’s very intimidating to try to make cinema in an environment where you don’t recognize yourself at all,” emphasizes Jean-François Méan, who is responsible for programming at the MIFBM for the first time this year. “The festival can become a point of contact for the community. To rediscover your culture, your stories and to build connections. »
He specifies that the documentary is in the spotlight this year, because the submissions were the most numerous in this category. According to the team, this is a reflection of an increased desire on the part of artists to “bear witness to the culture, history and realities of Black people”, underlines Jean-François Méan.
This is something that all Quebecers should recognize themselves in. There was a boom in documentaries here in the 1960s, when Quebecers took lightweight cameras to show their reality and decolonize their cinema. Today, we see that black people, it’s our turn to do it!
Jean-François Méan, head of programming at the MIFBM
In addition to being an inspiring space for the next generation, the festival allows film buffs to discover authentic stories and learn. An opportunity to enrich oneself culturally which would be beneficial to take advantage of, insist Fabienne Colas and Jean-François Méan.
“We want to advance knowledge, create collaborations,” explains the president. We are completely focused on the future. We continue because we want to ensure that the industry is healthy in terms of diversity. »
Five essentials according to Jean-François Méan, the programming manager
PHOTO TAKEN FROM THE MIFBM SITE
Documentary scene A Story of Bones
A Story of Bones
“A woman in charge of a road infrastructure project on the island of Saint Helena, in the South Atlantic, discovers that 10,000 slave remains have been left unburied and must be moved to make way for a road project. Excellent documentary to learn more about apartheid and the historical injustices experienced by black people. »
My father, the devil
“An African refugee in France is confronted with her painful past when she realizes that the man who was her torturer works as a priest in the care center where she is an auxiliary aide. A striking work that really does not leave you indifferent. »
Goodbye Julia
“A film that was in competition at Cannes! Against the backdrop of civil war in Sudan, a woman from the South and a woman from the North become friends, despite everything. The female status angle is extremely important. »
Colette and Justin
“This film is made by a Congolese and Belgian documentary filmmaker who has a very beautiful pen (the narration is exquisite). He digs into the history of his family and his father and learns that he was a collaborator in Mobutu’s coup d’état. Black history has not been documented, so it’s interesting to see that many people look through their family tree to become interested in it. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE MIFBM
Documentary scene Money, freedom, the CFA franc
Money, freedom, the CFA franc
“A documentary which demonstrates exhaustive research, which questions the economic domination exercised by France in West Africa through the CFA franc. Very relevant, given the recent chain of coups in West and Central Africa. It is a film that takes a decolonizing look at history. »