One Day in Africa

While disease, poverty, and political turmoil are consistently marked as the universal plight of the African continent, Brook Silva-Braga (“A Map for Saturday,” 31st CIFF) complicates this popular conception in his second documentary feature, ONE DAY IN AFRICA. Following a day in the life of six African people from six different countries, the film explores the range of diversity in the massive continent. Titus, a shopkeeper living in Kisumu, Kenya, begins his day before sunrise, practicing tae kwon do. Howa recently moved to Farge-Fundu, Niger, where she struggles to provide food to the remote community almost two miles from the nearest source of water. Over nine months pregnant, Bridgete still maintains her daily routine of cooking and cleaning for her husband and daughter in Lilongwe, Malawi. Sali, on the other hand, values her independence and education as she rides her motorbike to university in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. In Fez, Morocco, Osama depends on tourism for his trade, yet has strong opinions about Western, capitalist values. Finally, Brahim, a farmer in N-8, Mali, uses innovative irrigation techniques to feed his three wives and 14 children. As each subject reflects on his or her own place in Africa, Silva-Braga provides a continental nuanced portrait that is moving, engaging, and informative. (In languages? with English subtitles) – E.J.B.