Sambizanga

This gem of a film tells the story of the rebel Domingos, and his steadfast resistance during captivity. And about his wife Maria's determined quest to free him from the authorities, with the help of a secret network.

Recently restored by the African Film Heritage Project – a collaboration between The Film Foundation, FEPACI, and UNESCO – following an arduous struggle to regain ownership, Sambizanga is a testament to resilience, both within its narrative and its own journey of restitution. Director Sarah Maldoror weaves a poetic tapestry of three narratives of resistance, honouring the spirit of the underestimated rising. This exquisite restoration not only unveils the genesis of the Angolan War of Independence but also celebrates the intrinsic beauty of African unity.

Garnering international acclaim upon its initial release, the film faced subsequent challenges, including restricted access imposed by its French distributor and a subpar, red-tinted version illegally surfaced online, much to the frustration of Maldoror and her daughters. Regrettably, Maldoror passed due to covid during the restoration process, fifty years after the film release. Nonetheless, her daughters carried forth her legacy, culminating in a triumphant restoration and renewed circulation of this masterpiece, a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

Mosa Mpetha

Director

Sarah Maldoror (1929 - 2020) var en fransk filmskaper med bakgrunn fra Guadeloupe. Hun regnes som en pioneer innen afrikansk film. Hun startet karrieren med teater i Frankrike, og gikk senere over til å jobbe som regissører innen film og TV, og som skuespiller. Hennes mest kjente film er Sambizanga (1972).

This film is part of