Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story
Young Kwame works in the sapphire mines of southern Madagascar. But when he becomes ill and returns to his home village, he connects to his community’s past and their decades-long fight against corruption and oppression.
Disco Afrika introduces us to Kwame, a 20-year-old navigating life's harsh realities in the clandestine sapphire mines. But a twist of fate sends him back to his roots, where old bonds and new challenges await. The film unravels Kwame's tumultuous journey amid his country's societal decay. Reconnecting with his mother and friends, he stands at a crossroads: the lure of quick riches or the tough path of integrity and awakening. His choice is a mirror to the soul of a nation caught between past wounds and hopeful resurgence. The film's vivid portrayal, enriched by a captivating soundtrack, paints a vibrant tableau of a time when art and activism danced to the same beat. It's not just a story; it's an experience, weaving together personal struggle and collective memory. Disco Afrika is a journey into the heart of a continent's enduring spirit.
—Nancy Pappas
- Original Language Title: Disco Afrika: une histoire malgache
- Director: Luck Razanajaona
- Principal Cast: Parista Sambo, Laurette Ramasinjanahary, Joe Clarence Lerova, Drwina Razafimahaleo, Jérôme Oza
- Premiere Status: U.S.
- Country: Madagascar, France, Madagascar, Germany, Mauritius, South Africa, Qatar
- Year: 2023
- Running Time: 81 min.
- Producer: Francois Magal, Jonathan Rubin
- Screenplay: François Hébert, Marcello Novais Teles, Ludovic Randriamanantsoa, Luck Razanajaona
- Cinematographers: Raphaël O’Byrne
- Editors: Marianne Haroche, Patrick Minks
- Music: Pierre Gratacap
- Awards: Berlin 2024 (AG Kino Prize: Special Mention)
- Filmography: Debut Feature Film
- Language: Malagasy
- Has Subtitles: Yes
- International Sales: Sudu Connexion