ABC Africa

Watch ABC Africa

  • NR
  • 2001
  • 1 hr 24 min
  • 6.8  (852)
  • 73

ABC Africa is a poetic documentary film directed by Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. The movie captures the director's journey to Uganda, where he was invited to teach a workshop on filmmaking. This visit coincided with the end of a bitter civil war in the country. The film is an intimate and heartfelt portrait of the people of Uganda, as seen through Kiarostami's lens.

The movie begins with Kiarostami arriving in Entebbe, Uganda's main airport. He is greeted by his friend and collaborator, Seifollah Samadian, who is also the movie's cinematographer. The two men set out on a journey through the country, traveling to different locations, meeting people, and documenting their lives.

One of the most striking things about the movie is the way Kiarostami and Samadian interact with their subjects. They are not imposing themselves on the people they meet but are instead interested in listening to their stories and capturing their experiences on camera. The result is a movie that feels very natural and unscripted, with its subjects speaking freely and candidly about their lives.

The movie is also a reflection on the power of documentary filmmaking. Kiarostami is acutely aware of the limitations of his medium, and the ethical questions that arise when making a film about real people. He grapples with the challenge of portraying the complex realities of Uganda without resorting to simplistic stereotypes or caricatures.

Throughout the movie, Kiarostami and Samadian use a variety of techniques to capture the essence of Uganda. They use long shots to capture the vastness of the landscape, close-ups to capture the expressions on people's faces, and slow-motion sequences to create a sense of stillness and contemplation. They also use sound in innovative ways, capturing ambient noise to create a sense of immersion.

One of the most powerful sequences in the movie takes place in a refugee camp in the north of the country. Kiarostami and Samadian spend time with the refugees, listening to their stories and capturing their daily routines. The result is an emotionally affecting portrait of a community that has been ravaged by war and displacement.

Another memorable scene takes place in a village where the filmmakers meet a young boy who has been orphaned by the war. The boy tells them about his daily routine, which involves walking several kilometers to fetch water for his family. This scene is shot in a single, long take, and the boy's words are accompanied by the sounds of the countryside around him. The result is a hauntingly beautiful moment that captures the resilience and strength of the people of Uganda.

In conclusion, ABC Africa is a deeply moving and thought-provoking movie that captures the beauty and complexity of Uganda. It is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking to create empathy and understanding between different cultures. Kiarostami's poetic vision and Samadian's stunning cinematography make this movie a must-see for anyone interested in the art of cinema.

ABC Africa is a 2001 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 73.

ABC Africa
Description
Where to Watch ABC Africa
ABC Africa is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download on demand at . Some platforms allow you to rent ABC Africa for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2001
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 24 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (852)
  • Metascore
    73