Tata, Huit Huit, Sonko, Waterman and Georges are successful artists both in Africa and in Europe, where their performances in "Afrika! Afrika!" have greatly contributed to the success of this André Heller circus show. BACK TO AFRICA follows the five protagonists over a period of one year: during rehearsals, in the show - but mostly during their visits to their home countries in Africa. Set in their cultural and personal backgrounds, the performers, musicians and dancers become real. The film explores the extraordinary energy and adventurous life stories of these artists, conveying very personal insights into the African way of life and, using spectacular images, showing their immediate environments and the vast landscapes in which they live. Carried by the spellbinding African Sound of Music, BACK TO AFRICA is a veritable account of vitality, culture, inspiration and hope. The traditional African music of the Cora virtuoso Tata and the intoxicating drum rhythms of the various dance groups accentuate the single scenes and offer an impression of the diverse dimensions of African culture. BACK TO AFRICA reveals exceptional insights into the soul of Africa, moving far away from common clichés, and portrays a different positive image of this continent and its strength..

In fascinating images shot in Senegal, Ghana, Gambia, Congo, Guinea and in Europe, Othmar Schmiderer s documentary film tells a story of a love for life and of everyday culture, of dance and music, of hope, diversity and inspiration.


EBRAIMA / Tata Dindin /// JOBARTEH /// MINGUE DIAGNE SONKO /// MAKAYA DIMBELOLO /// GEORGES MOMBOYE /// DICKSON OPPONG

DIRECTOR AND WRITER / OTHMAR SCHMIDERER
PRODUCER / KURT LANGBEIN
CO-PRODUCER / PETER ROMMEL
CINEMATOGRAPHERS / HERMANN DUNZENDORFER / MORITZ GIESELMANN / OTHMAR SCHMIDERER
EDITORS / SARAH J. LEVINE / PETER PRZYGODDA
SOUND EDITOR / SOUNDDESIGN / NILS KIRCHHOFF
MUSIC / EBRAIMA Tata / Dindin JOBARTEH
A PRODUCTION OF LANGBEIN & SKALNIK MEDIA / ROMMEL FILM
IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH WDR
IN COOPERATION WITH ORF and ARTE
SUPPORTED BY FILM INSTITUTE AUSTRIA / EURIMAGES / MEDIENBOARD BERLINBRANDENBURG / DEUTSCHER FILMFÖRDERFONDS
CIRCUS SHOW BY ANDRÉ HELLER

FORMAT / 35 mm / 1:1,85 / Colour / Dolby Digital / LENGTH / 97 min. / ORIGINAL LANGUAGE / Mandinka / Wolof / Lingala / Akan/Twi / French / English / SUBTITLES / English