Pour combler une nuit blanche, le Papa-National, président-fondateur-à-vie et premier citoyen de « son » pays veut jouer aux dames contre un adversaire de taille. Il doit donc affronter un homme de la rue mais néanmoins désigné comme « champion populaire toutes catégories »…La coutume populaire consiste en un échange verbal après chaque mouvement de pion tout en respectant l’autorité du chef suprême.



Avec Dieudonné Kabongo Bashila, Yves Mba, Pascal Nzonzi,, Jean La Croix Kamga






Format : Couleur et Noir & Blanc

Production : Dipanda Yo / MYRIAPODUS FILMS

avec le soutien du Fonds Francophone (OIF / CIRTEF)

Distribution : ArtMattan Productions

To fill a sleepless night, the President-for-life-founder, first citizen of « his » country, plays checkers with the man in the street known as champion in every category… And that night he becomes the « Father of the Nation »…

A wicked political satire about African dictators, this film tells the story of the president of a fictitious African nation who spends a sleepless night playing checkers with a pot-smoking vagabond who is claimed to be the « all-around champion ». However the rules of the game entail opponents howling vulgar and foul obscenities at one another. The Champion proceeds to insult, and trounce the President. His rewards – and fate – are not exactly unexpected in this hilarious send-up of living under tyranny.

Director: Bakupa Kanyinda Balufu
From: Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) & Gabon
Year: 1996 – Minutes: 40
Language: French w/ English subtitles
Genre: Drama/Comedy

To be ordered from ArtMattan Productions (www.africanfilm.com)
Language: French w/ English subtitles


Director: Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda

Actors
Dieudonné Kabongo
Yves M’ba
Pascal Nzonzi
Jean La Croix Kamga

Executive Producer : Stephan Oriach
Screenwriter : Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
Director of Photography : Roland Duboze
Sound Recordist : Willy Kombeny
Editor : Martine Brun
Music Composer : So Kalméry

Short film, Fiction
Production language : French, African language
Nationality : Majority French (Gabon, France)
Production year : 1997
Runtime : 40 min
Visa number : 89.355
Visa issue date : 11/03/1997
Screening format : 35mm
Color type : Color and Black & White
Aspect ratio : 1.66

AWARDS
* Sélection | Festival des Cinémas d’Afrique de Lausanne 2024 (15 au 18 aout)
* Mention of the Jury, Fespaco 1997. Burkina Faso.
* ACCT Agence de la Francophonie Prize. Fespaco 1997, Burkina Faso.
* Reel Black Talent Award. Toronto, Canada. 1997.
* Grand Prix, Festival Villeurbanne, France. 1997.
* Award for Quality, CNC, France. 1998.
* Le Lutin for Best Screenplay (author: Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda)
* Le Lutin for Best Original Score (Music: So Kalmery) France. 1998.
* Best Short Film from the South Cirtef Prize. International Francophone Film Festival, Namur, Belgium. 1998.
* Trophy Cinema Vision 2000. African & Caribbean Awards, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. 1998.
* Best Emerging Artist, National Black Programing Award, Philadelphia, USA. 1998.