“PAFF REIMAGINED, Experience a new story”
February 9, 2023, at the Directors’ Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles saw the regular reunion of fans, filmmakers, and black cinema enthusiasts as if on an annual pilgrimage where all their worries about what it means to be black in today’s world or yesteryears can all be forgotten. Helas, they thought wrong as festival founders and producers had scheduled just the perfect film to entertain them while reminding them about the world they not only live in, but the “choice” they have to make as echoed in the movie they were about to see.
The 31st PAFF opened strong with a world premiere screening of CHEVALIER, a Searchlight Pictures film directed by Stephen Williams, written and produced by Stefani Robinson, an incredible biographical story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The son of an enslaved woman from Senegal, West Africa, Nanou (Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo), and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) rises to impossible heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court.
Against the backdrop of Black History Month, the choice of CHEVALIER could not have been better as it captivated the PAFF audience who are predominantly guests and filmmakers of African descent. Many have traveled to the festival from the ends of the world and locally to celebrate black cinema or showcase their films, which for some is the only opportunity to have their movies seen by potential distribution companies or have their films seen on a large screen. Dressed in all kinds of fancy attires, they come, donning the traditional African regalia, the Afro-centric style, or simply a nice suit and gown, testifying that this crowd considers this annual pilgrimage as a cornerstone of their black pride and legacy. And so, as they connected and sat down to watch the traditional opening night film, they were in for a treat, and at the same time transported into their realities; a world where black lives are threatened by systemic oppression and discrimination through a film set in the 18th century. Recognizing that in the 21st century, black lives continue to suffer, all agreed through the applause at the end of the film when the main character Chevalier played so strongly by Kelvin Harrison Jr. makes a choice that says to all that the resistance must continue. This was a message echoed through the evening in speeches, awards, entertainment selections, and conversations as fans ushered themselves out of the theater after an insightful Q&A session with the filmmakers moderated by Lamonia Deanne Brown.
Hosted by the legendary actor, activist, and PAFF co-founder Danny Glover, PAFF visionary and co-founder Ayuko Babu, and actor and former football player Thomas Quinn Jones, the event was both colorful and festive after a period of hiatus caused by the Covid pandemic and lockdowns. Homage was paid to the legendary late actress Ja’ Net DuBois, PAFF co-founder who passed away in 2020, for her contributions to the festival. The night’s theme was undoubtedly confirmed by the newly elected Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass in her kick-off opening speech. Also in attendance were dignitaries from the city and diplomatic corps as well as celebrities from black cinema and entertainment.
Other highlights included a special CANADA LEE AWARD presented to actor Jonathan Majors, a recognition given to male actors whose body of work exemplifies a positive and uplifting black image and experience.
A musical performance by the Lesa Terry Collective featuring the prolific jazz violinist, and composer Lesa Terry proved to be the icing on the cake as attendees were treated to an extraordinary experience that brought home the theme of the night’s movie.
Though punctuated by the recurring theme of black struggle and overcoming racism, the evening was a strong launching for the festival as audiences left looking forward to seeing more black cinema and beautiful art at the artists’ market in the next two weeks.
The 31st Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival coined, “PAFF REIMAGINED, Experience a new story”, has been officially launched and is currently taking place in Los Angeles from February 9-20, 2023 at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15 and XD.
For more information, and activity schedules visit: paff.org
