Sarah Maldoror, an essential figure in the world of cinema, is being honored at the Centre Pompidou. Thanks to MansA, two of her restored films will be screened, finally making accessible major works little known to the general public.
From April 3 to 7, 2025, the Centre Pompidou is devoting a retrospective to Sarah Maldoror (1929-2020), a major figure in militant, anti-colonial cinema. This program is part of theBlack Paris exhibition, which highlights the circulation of art and Afro-descendant struggles in France.
As part of its MansA Heritage cycle, MansA is supporting the restoration of three of the filmmaker's key films. They will be screened for the first time in their restored versions.
A committed and plural work
Sarah Maldoror has made over 40 films, exploring themes linked to decolonization, black culture and emblematic figures of African and Afro-descendant thought. Notable works include Sambizanga (1972), Et les chiens se taisaient (1978) and Aimé Césaire - Le masque des mots (1987).
His cinema, both political and poetic, blends fiction, documentary and experimentation, offering a unique perspective on the struggles and aspirations of colonized and post-colonial peoples.
Detailed programming
Thursday, April 3
8pm: Monangambééé (1969, 17 min) - World premiere (restored version) Sambizanga (1972, 102 min) - Restored version.
Opening in the presence of Annouchka de Andrade, Henda Ducados and Elvan Zabunyan.
Friday, April 4th
8 p.m.: The Carnival Trilogy (restored version): Fogo, île de feu (1979, 34 min), À Bissau, le carnaval (1980, 18 min), Un carnaval dans le Sahel (1979, 23 min).
Screening in the presence of Julien Creuzet.
Saturday, April 5th
2:30pm: Scala Milan AC (2003, 17 min) Un dessert pour Constance (1979, 60 min).
Screening with Sidiki Bakaba and Cheik Doucouré
5pm: Reading of the script Les Révoltés du Matouba by Eriq Ebouaney and Makeda Monnet, illustrated live by Éric Valette. Toto Bissainthe (1984, 4 min), Ana Mercedes Hoyos - Peintre (2008, 13 min).
8pm: Trilogie rebelle (world premiere, restored version): Et les chiens se taisaient (1978, 13 min), Aimé Césaire - Le masque des mots (1987, 47 min), La Route de l'esclave - Regards de mémoire (2003, 24 min).
Baloji will be present.
Sunday, April 6th
2:30 pm : The Carnival Trilogy (restored version): Fogo, île de feu (1979, 34 min), À Bissau, le carnaval (1980, 18 min), Un carnaval dans le Sahel (1979, 23 min).
Screening with Marie-José Mondzain, preceded by a reading of Mario de Andrade's poem Chanson de Sabalu.
5pm: Aimé Césaire - Un homme, une terre (1977, 57 min), Léon G. Damas (1994, 26 min), Louis Aragon - Un masque à Paris (1980, 19 min).
Screening in the presence of Deborah Lukumuena.
8pm: Special screening (restored version): Monangambéé (1969, 17 min), Sambizanga (1972, 102 min).
Screening in the presence of Aïssa Maïga.
Monday, April 7th
6pm : Vlady (1989, 24 min), Leningrad Hospital (1982, 52 min).
Screening in the presence of Annouchka de Andrade.
8pm: Reading of La reine des nègres vous parle des blancs by Josiane Balasko and Léonora Miano; Interview with Sarah Maldoror by Marguerite Duras. Et les chiens se taisaient (1978, 13 min)
