“Makala” means charcoal in Swahili. But this solemn, restrained documentary is not about words. It is almost silent. It is the simple story of Kasongo, a 28-year-old man who dreams of building a home for his wife and daughters. To do so, he fells a colossal tree, turns it into charcoal, stuffs it into colossal bags, precariously loads them onto a rickety bicycle, then — Sisyphus-like — pushes his load up a colossal hill, through clouds of dust and exhaust fumes, to market.
MAKALA will be screening at the 2018 COLCOA French Film Festival in Los Angeles as part of the documentary series.
RSVP and ticket sales will stay open throughout the festival, up to 24 hours before the film screening. Tickets will also be on sale at the theater on the day of the screening.
MAKALA
Directed by: Emmanuel Gras
Cinematography: Emmanuel Gras
Film Editing: Karen Benainous
Original Score: Gaspar Claus
Produced by: Nicolas Anthomé (Bathysphere)
International Sales: Les Films du Losange
U.S. Distributor: Kino Lorber
Screening in Los Angeles on Tuesday April 24, 2018
