AfricaArts & EntertainmentLocalNews

Must-watch film, “DELA: The Making of El Anatsui” premieres, Sunday, May 12, at Lincoln Center, New York, USA

Oyiza Adaba

….To Premiere at the 31st New York African Film Festival  

The North American premiere of “DELA: The Making of El Anatsui,” an intriguing biographical documentary that records the extraordinary life and artistic journey of globally-recognised Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui, has been selected to screen at the 31st New York African Film Festival.

Meanwhile, the show-stopping film will be premiered on Sunday, May 12, 2024, 3:30 PM (ET) at Lincoln Center, New York.

There is already great excitement in the art and film communities concerning the film, especially also as   the opportunity offered couples to be part of the premier is being described as a “perfect Mother’s Day.

The theme of this year’s New York African Film Festival is “Convergence of Time” and the Festival will showcase 50+ films from more than 25 countries including the acclaimed Nigerian film Over the Bridge by Tolu Ajaji and Dilli Dark by Dibakar Das Roy.

About “DELA”

With his boundary-pushing works, El Anatsui has made a lasting impression on the world of contemporary art. “DELA” goes deeply into the life of this legendary artist, tracing his growth from his artistic endeavors to his rise to popularity in the art world.

“DELA” provides viewers with an exceptional opportunity to observe the inner workings of El Anatsui’s creative process through personal interviews and archive materials.

The film honors his contributions to the cultural landscape, from his modest beginnings to his massive hanging sculptures that decorate important institutions worldwide. The documentary’s director, Oyiza Adaba, set out on a journey in 2013 after reaching a deal with Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui.

Through this process, an incredible 120-minute feature film with 90% original footage was produced for a wide range of viewers. Adaba’s partnership with Anatsui allowed her to explore extensively, the artist’s life, highlighting his normally private life and his significant impact on the international art scene, as well as the value of Africa’s rich cultural legacy.

The film highlights Anatsui’s widespread recognition by capturing artistic landmarks such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Royal Academy of Art in London, Kwame Nkrumah Museum, Accra etc.

Adaba’s commitment to showcasing African artistry on a worldwide platform is demonstrated by her devotion to depicting Anatsui’s journey. The documentary, which was filmed in over 47 locations, skillfully acknowledges and emphasizes the value of Africa’s rich artistic and cultural contribution to global art.

This documentary was proudly supported by Jack Shainman Gallery New York, Meridian Creative Centre Ghana, Access Bank Ghana, 7 Up Nigeria, Africa Related Inc. African Film Festival Inc.

Founded by Sierra-Leonean/American Mahen Bonetti in 1990, African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) has bridged the divide between postcolonial Africa and the American public through the powerful medium of film and video.

The New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) is presented annually by the African Film Festival, Inc. and Film at Lincoln Center, in association with Brooklyn Academy of Music and Maysles Cinema.

AFF also produces a series of local, national, and international programs throughout the year.

TICKETS: A perfect Mother’s Day Gift “DELA” Electronic Press Kit – EPK For press inquiries regarding African Film Festival, Inc., please contact: Cheryl Duncan, Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc., cheryl@cdcprnews.com For press inquiries regarding the film please contact: info@africarelatedinc.com For press inquiries regarding Film at Lincoln Center, please contact: John Kwiatkowski, JKwiatkowski@filmlinc.org Eva Tooley, ETooley@filmlinc.org #elanatsuifilm #elanatsui @elanatsui.art @africarelatedinc #nyaff31 -###- 2

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button