Made in 1966 by Italian filmmakers Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco E. Prosperi, Africa Addio is a shock-documentary that purports to depict the savagery and turmoil that followed the end of the colonial era in Africa. Banned for many years, the film caused considerable controversy due to its graphic depiction of human and animal atrocities and its inclusion of footage shot in the aftermath of the Zanzibar massacre. Africa Addio has been both decried as a murderous and racist lie, and heralded as an extraordinary work of non-fiction filmmaking.

In 2012 artist Mathieu Kleyebe Abonnenc took Africa Addio as the starting point for his film An Italian Film (Africa Addio), which confronts the contemporary and historic exploitation of copper in the Katanga region of Congo. Using Africa Addio as a backbone, Abonnenc, in collaboration with curator Will Rose, presents an illustrated screening that considers the social and political implications of watching and showing such a film. 

Curated by AV Festival as part of the Postcolonial Cinema Weekend. Part of AV Festival 14: Extraction, www.avfestival.co.uk

£5/£3.50. Tickets available on the door

Postcolonial Cinema Weekend Pass: £30 / £20. The pass includes all screenings on Sat 8 and Sun 9 March only. Subject to availability. BUY PASS

Sight & Sound are media partner for AV Festival 14: Extraction