(A market woman in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Image by the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea via Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/equatorial_guinea/ )
Happy Independence Day, Equatorial Guinea! On October 12th, 1968, this Central African country gained independence from Spain. Because this country was colonized by Spain, it merges Latin and African culture and is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and indigenous languages like Fang are spoken in the country, which consists of a mainland and 5 islands. Here are some exciting Equatoguinean films that will help you to understand Equatoguinean culture and history.
Paco y Nenu is a 2019 film, directed by Nicky Mayebe, that tells the story of the deterioration of two friends’ relationship after one reveals his numerous immoral behaviors, and of money rituals. Watch the 30-minute film, which is offered in Spanish and African indigenous languages, here.
Motherland, A Genetic Journey, is a 2003 BBC documentary that explored reconciliation between descendants of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade and Black British communities. Three Afro-Caribbeans with Jamaican heritage living in the UK trace their genetic history, and one of the women, Beulah, traces her relatives back to the Bubi tribe of Equatorial Guinea. She visits the island of Bioko to reconnect with their family members. Watch this journey here.
Feguibox is a 2015 film written and directed by Ruben Monsuy, Gabriel Amdur, and Ndong Andeme that explores boxing, the cycle of poverty, and relentless ambition. A boxer, Salvador, grapples to develop and succeed as a boxing star of Equatorial Guinea while battling the poverty that surrounds him. Watch the film, which is in Spanish, here.
Teresa is a 2010 short film, directed by Juan Pablo and Ebang Osono, centered around 3 friends: Teresa, Rosio, and Yolanda, who have different lifestyles and passions. This film, made by Equatoguinean filmmakers, told a story based on true events. It was produced by the National Library of Equatorial Guinea. Watch the short film, which is in Spanish, here.
What’s your favorite Equatoguinean film? Comment below!
Works Cited
https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/02_february/05/motherland.shtml
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41349278
