The upcoming release features works from six filmmakers, the winners of the streamer’s 2021 short film competition with UNESCO.
Selected to represent Sub-Saharan Africa, each winner received $25,000 plus an additional $75,000 production budget to reimagine folktales for today’s audiences.
Selected entries are from Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritania, Kenya and Uganda. They are:
‘Halima’s Choice’ – Korede Azeez (Nigeria)
Directed by Azeez, the sci-fi fantasy film follows a young woman from an isolated Fulani village who unknowingly elopes with an AI to avoid an arranged marriage. Produced by Kenneth Gyang, it stars Habiba Ummi Mohammed and Adam Garba. It was originally titled ‘Adieu’.
‘MaMlambo’ – Gcobisa Yako (South Africa)
Told in isiXhosa, this drama tells the story of a mystical river that is MaMlambo and watches over the sacred waters of discarded bodies. Produced by Albertus and directed by Gcobisa Yako, the cast includes Simphiwe Dana and Zikhona Bali.
‘Katope’ – Walt Mzengi Corey (Tanzania)
A young boy with magical origins sets out on a journey to help end the drought that is devastating the community in this fantasy drama. It is directed by Walt Mzengi Corey and produced by Petrus Van Staden and Rebecca Mzengi Corey. The cast includes Jene Mahenyela Mwalimu and Rahele Matete.
‘Enmity Djinn’ – Mohamed Echkouna (Mauritania)
In this short film, an ancient Enmity Djinn finds himself in an unknown city and confronts a familiar enemy three generations after he was last summoned. Directed and produced by Mohamed Echkouna, the film stars Zainabou Ahmed Mohamed and Mamadou Mokhtar N’diaye Gueye.
‘Anyango and the Ogre’ – Voline Ogutu (Kenya)
Set against the backdrop of a children’s folktale, 13-year-old Otis fights to protect his younger siblings from a monster that lives inside their home in this fantasy drama. Directed by Violin Ogutu and produced by Sarah Hassan, the film stars Trevor Jones Kamau and Sarah Hassan.
‘Katera of the Island of Punishment’ – Loukman Ali (Uganda)
Stranded on an island, a woman grieving the loss of her baby takes revenge on the powerful man who put her there in this thriller. Produced and directed by Loukman Ali, the film stars Karababiito Tracy and Michael Wawuyo.
Netflix’s ‘African Folktales, Reimagined’ premieres on March 29, 2023.
