Black Debutantes Shorts Programme: Performance Pains

Three shorts by acclaimed filmmakers Julie Dash, Ngozi Onwurah and Mati Diop.

  • Total running time 90min

Illusions

USA 1982. Director Julie Dash. 34min. 16mm

Flight of the Swan

UK 1992. Director Ngozi Onwurah. 11min. Digital

A Thousand Suns

Mille Soleils

France 2013. Director Mati Diop. 45min. Digital

Through the works of three distinctive filmmakers, this shorts programme looks at the plight of and obstacles faced by Black performers through the decades: from white-passing actresses in 1942 Hollywood and a young ballerina finding her true spirit in Swan Lake, to the life of an actor who has appeared in the most iconic film to come out of Africa.

Please note that A Thousand Suns contains scenes of animal slaughter. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

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