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.