Tired of the cold and dark Scandinavian autumn and the sneak preview of winter? What could be a better escape from reality than treating yourself to some cosy evenings at the movies. The 27th edition of Stockholm International Film Festival starts this Wednesday, November 9th. During the twelve-day long cinema fest you will have a chance to munch on cinematographic stories from around the globe. KRULL is especially excited to see a solid serving of films representing black culture from a variety of perspectives. From a romantic comedy about Michelle and Barack Obama, through poetic stories from Niger, Mali and Tobago, to tales capturing the life of Afro-European diaspora. Take a look at our tips list and go grab your cinema tickets.

SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU
BY RICHARD TANNE
USA
What could possibly be better rom-com material than the first meeting of America’s First Couple? ‘’Southside with You’’ follows the classic ‘’a boy meets a girl’’ plot, with the boy being young law firm associate Barack Obama trying to win the heart of ambitious attorney Michelle Robinson during a daylong date in the summer of 1989. A feel-good with great acting and tender humor.

THE BIRTH OF A NATION
BY NATE PARKER
USA
Both a personal story of a multi-dimensional character and an attempt to recover the historical narratives from the African American past, ‘’The Birth of a Nation’’ follows an enslaved preacher-turned-riot leader. Shot in Savannah, the movie is a powerful examination of the horrors of slave trade and its depressing and all-too-visible legacy. Written, directed and starring Nate Parker as the charismatic Nat Turner, it is a nuanced drama touching upon the questions of freedom, faith and the untold stories of American history.

GREEN WHITE GREEN
BY ABBA MAKAMA
Nigeria
This sparkling coming-of-age comedy is not only a story about three college friends from different ethnic and social backgrounds but also a multifaceted portrayal of modern Nigeria, bursting with references to everyday experience, culture and politics. This meta-story about shooting a film inspired by Nigeria’s complicated past, follows the lives of the eccentric bohemian trio at the same time making a witty and ironic reference to the Nigerian Film Industry, Nollywood, and Nigeria itself.

HOW TO TELL YOU’RE A DOUCHEBAG
BY TAHIR JETTER
USA
This upbeat and thought-provoking romantic comedy, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of misogynistic blogger and self-proclaimed womanizer Ray Livingston. Author of ‘’Occasionally Dating Black Women’’ blog gets a serious reality-check when he meets Rochelle, an up-and-coming and highly influential New York author.

MORRIS FROM AMERICA
BY CHAD HARTIGAN
USA
Teenage misadventures, family relations, hip-hop and a migration story come together in the movie about 13-year old Morris that moves to Germany with his widowed father. The film features comedian Craig Robinson and applauded newcomer Markees Christmas as father and son trying to find their place in a country where they are different.

KATI KATI
BY MBITHI MASYA
Kenya
‘’Kati Kati’’ is a fascinating result of a Kenyan-German co-production, with Tom Tykwer as a producer and initiator of a project supporting African filmmakers. A soulful fantasy that reverberates with Kenya’s troubled past, the film tells a story of Kaleche, who wakes up in a wasteland with no recollection of who she is. After finding her way to a nearby resort, she joins an eclectic group of people. But as time passes at the lodge, she can’t ignore a growing suspicion that something isn’t right.

THE WEDDING RING
BY RAHMATOU KEITA
Niger, Burkina Faso
This lyrical film narrated in the Sahel tradition records the fast-fading customs of Niger’s Sahelian people – a world rarely shown on the big screen. The main character, Tiyaa, returns home to the Sultanate of Zinder after completing a university degree in Paris. Frustrated by the absence of her lover, she seeks counsel from a wiseman and embarks on a trip exploring the mystical world around her.

A UNITED KINGDOM
BY AMMA ASANTE
USA/UK
Amma Asante’s ‘’A United Kingdom’’ tells the real story of Seretse Khama, an African prince and future President of Bechuanaland (now Botswana) and exposes the evils of colonialism. The romance between Seretse and a British young bank clerk Ruth encounters numerous obstacles, with the governmental objection being the most severe one. Seretse’s kingdom borders South Africa, where the newly established apartheid laws would be undermined should neighboring Bechanaland be ruled by a mixed-race couple. A solid slice of neglected post-war history and a true story of love triumphing over prejudice.

OKAFOR’S LAW
BY OMONI OBOLI
Nigeria
A film which cleverly tackles the subjects of male attitudes about their own sexuality and their questionable rights to women’s bodies by putting the subject in a humorous context. When Chuks declares to his friends that if you once had sexual relations with a woman, you will always be able to go back for more, they challenge him with a bet. He has twenty-one days to seduce three of his ex-girlfriends.

MALI BLUES
BY LUTZ GREGOR
Germany/Mali
Starring our fave Fatoumata Diawara as well as a hip hop artist, Master Soumy, the documentary tells the story of four musicians who refuse to be silent and accept the rise of radical Islam in Mali. In all the years Mali has been affected by war and terror, music has been an important tool keeping the country together. ‘’Mali Blues’’ is a deeply profound example of the beautiful and unifying power of music.

STOCKHOLM, MY LOVE
BY MARK COUSINS
Sweden
Starring the iconic Afro-Swedish singer Neneh Cherry in the main role, ‘’Stockholm, My Love’’ is a lyrical portrait of a city narrated with beautiful music and images. Alva Achebe is obsessed with the power that cityscapes have on our being. Traumatised after a car accident, she uses her insomniac nights to walk through the city in search of peace and reconciliation.

THE CITIZEN
BY ROLAND VRANIK
Hungary
The third feature film of the award-winning director Roland Vranik shows the many nuances of integration through the means of an atypical love story. ‘’The Citizen’’ follows Wilson, who, after losing his entire family to the horrors of war and making the perilous journey to Europe as a political refugee, settles down as a security guard in a Budapest shopping center. However, Wilson is driven by a quest: to become a model Hungarian citizen and to do so at any cost.

PLAY THE DEVIL
BY MARIA GOVAN
Trinidad and Tobago, US
One of the first features shot in Trinidad and Tobago aims to show its country to larger audiences while re-telling a true story of a 16-year-old Trinidadian boy who committed suicide because of his sexuality. Gregory dreams of becoming a professional photographer, and when a wealthy, older businessman James steps into his life and starts seducing him with his money, he is forced to come to terms with his sexuality. As Carnival Monday and its annual male initiation ritual draw closer, Greg’s inner confusion throws him into a dangerous turmoil.

CHECK IT
BY DANA FLOR, TOBY OPPENHEIMER
USA
This documentary follows an unusual criminal gang roaming the streets of Washington D.C. They use mace and brass knuckles, but also carry Louis Vuitton bags and wear lipstick. Once victims of homophobic bullying, these gay and transgender street kids are now fighting back in style. They are attempting to break away from their impoverished backgrounds through their own fashion label. A compelling and socially committed documentary that shines the light on issues of homophobia and violence within the African-American community.

words Weronika Pérez Borjas
Pictures courtesy of Stockholm Film Festival
Buy your tickets at www.stockholmfilmfestival.se