As the week nears to a close, it’s high time for a good watch, and the options are endless. If you love an African-curated style film, this is definitely made for you. The New Times has curated a list of six top African-made films to watch this weekend. 1. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind A 13-year-old boy is thrown out of the school he loves when his family can no longer afford the fees. He sneaks into the library and learns how to build a windmill to save his village from a famine. Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film is based on a true story from Malawi and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. 2. Queen of Katwe Phiona's life changes after she meets Robert Katende, who teaches her to play chess. Under Katende's guidance, Phiona becomes a top player and sees an opportunity to escape from a life of poverty. Set in Kampala, Uganda, the film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures and stars Lupita Nyong’o. It is based on the real-life story of Phiona Mutesi. 3. Lionheart When Adaeze's father falls ill, she decides to take charge of their family business. However, with the arrival of her eccentric uncle, chaos ensues. Directed by and starring Genevieve Nnaji, this film made history as Nigeria’s first submission to the Academy Awards. It also became the first Nigerian original acquired by Netflix. 4. Atlantics Ada, who is betrothed to Omar, is deeply in love with Souleiman. However, when Omar dies due to a fire on his wedding day, his fiancée, Ada, is suspected of being involved in his death. Directed by Mati Diop, the film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. 5. Tsotsi Tsotsi, a young street thug, steals a car only to discover a baby in the back seat and spends six days in a violent and agitated situation which leads to an emotional bond towards the end. The film, directed by Gavin Hood, won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It is based on a novel by Athol Fugard and is praised for its raw portrayal of township life and redemption. 6. Nairobi Half Life An aspiring actor from Kenya making a living selling western action films tries to follow his dreams of becoming successful in a big city. Directed by David Tosh Gitonga, the film was Kenya’s submission for the Academy Awards and gained international acclaim. It offers a gritty and realistic depiction of life in Nairobi and the challenges faced by young people chasing their ambitions.
