Zomo et ses frères(1975)

Horendi(fr)

The title of this film translates literally as 'to put on a hori,' a hori being the Songhay term for ceremony of festival. Here it is used to refer to a ganandi, literally 'to make dance' This film concerns two women whom the zima [priest] had diagnosed some months before as being ill through possession by spirits. In the meantime, their families have gathered together the resources to pay for the musicians, dancers, and the priest himself to put on an initiation dance lasting seven days This is a film of documentation, simply recording various moments in the progress of the ceremony, without any form of explanation, neither in intertitle cards nor in voice-over. (Paul Henley, The Adventure of the Real)

Hampi(fr)

A ritual vase, the hampi, is placed in the center of the Musée de plein air de la République du Niger in Niamey, during a ritual ceremony featuring possession dances. With this film, Jean Rouch continues his ethnological and cinematographic study of Songhay ritual objects. He demonstrates that, in a particular context, the transfer of a hampi vase to a museum requires the organization of a ritual ceremony to obtain the gods' approval. At the time, however, reservations about filming a possession dance for the opening of a shrine in a museum made the move "questionable from a museological point of view".

L'Afrique et la recherche scientifique(fr)

This documentary offers an overview of French scientific research in Africa French scientific research in Africa: hydrology, botany, biology oil palm and coconut cultivation, industrial sea fishing and and urban planning. Film montage taking stock of scientific research research in Africa, mainly in the fields of hydrology hydrology, botany, biology and agriculture. The film is a compilation of extracts from several short films made by Jean Rouch in Mali, Niger and Côte d'Ivoire between 1962 and 1963: Abidjan, port de pêche, Le Mil, Le Cocotier and Le Palmier à l'huile. l'huile.

Yenendi de Ganghel (Rain Dance at Ganghel)(fr)

Lightning struck the hut of a Fulani shepherd near a village of settled fishermen, Ganghel, in Niger. A yenendi, a purification ceremony to obtain "water from the sky but not fire from the sky", is organized, with Sorko priests, ritual musicians and dancers, and the faithful from Niamey. The musicians call on Dongo, god of storms, and his brother Kirey, god of lightning. To the rhythm of the orchestra, a man goes into a trance, becoming Dongo's horse and at the same time the riding genie. Then a woman is possessed by Kirey. When the riding gods have mastered their horses, the gods visit the men. Dongo purifies the lightning-struck land and the oldest fisherman prepares the purification vessel, addressing Dongo.

Drums from the Past(fr)

"Tourou et Bitti", an eight minute documentary concerning a ritual in Niger, is yet another example of Rouch's excellence in creating documentaries which surpass the conventional documentary format. Just as frightening and fascinating as "Les maîtres fous", this one goes straight into the roots of ancient African cultures, in which music has an hypnotic effect, being at the same time an exorcism and a public show. Both the female and the male dancers are almost deities about to be unleashed... Spectral and humanitarian.

Pam Kuso Kar (Breaking Pam's Vases)(fr)

In February 1974, Pam Sambo Zima, the oldest of the priests of possession in Niamey, Niger, died at the age of seventy-plus years. In his backyard, the followers from the possession cult symbolically break the dead priest's ritual vases and cry for the deceased while dividing up the clothes of the divinities.

Circumcision(en)

Rites and operation of the circumcision of thirty Songhai children on the Niger. Material of this film has been used to make "Les Fils de l'Eau".

Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match(en)

While no wrestling is actually depicted, Atilogivu: The Story of a Wrestling Match documents gymnastic dancing to drum and flute music of the Ibu people, east of the River Niger.

Niger Festivals: December 1961 - Niger Independence Days(en)

Commemorative celebrations of the independence of the Republic of Niger filmed in December 1961 and 1962.

Expedition Niger: Real Africa(de)

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and is also plagued by numerous terrorist organizations that repeatedly kidnap people. Accompanied by a military convoy, the travel group explores the country and the cultural traditions of two of the last nomadic tribes, the Woodabe and the Tuareg. From the capital Niamey in the southwest, the journey continues through the interior of the country to Iférouane, where the Nigerien tour guide provides information about the country and its people.

Photo Souvenir(fr)

At a dusty crossroads in the desert city of Niamey, Niger, a crippled beggar is sitting in his wheelchair. He is Philippe Koudjina, who was once a successful photographer. In 1960s during the euphoria that followed independence, young people danced the twist and rock ‘n’ roll. Koudjina took snapshots and made a good living. Now, his negatives are decaying in a rusty cabinet. These snapshots now have artistic value. In Paris and New York, large sums are paid for photography like this. There is hope for Koudjina as two French connoisseurs are now trying to launch his work on the art circuit.

SAM(en)

A filmed homage to Sam Shepard, in a single fixed frame where the treetops sway under a moving cloud cover. Orchestrated by the camera in this forest environment, brief spoken and sung interludes evoke touching dedications punctuating the solitude of the scene.

The Nanny Reunion: A Nosh to Remember(en)

The cast members reminisce about the show and present exclusive blooper footage never shown on television, as well as an update on their current activities.[1][2] The reunion took place at Fran Drescher's oceanside home in California. The entire cast was present except for Daniel Davis, who was performing in the musical La Cage aux Folles on Broadway at the time and was unable to attend. Also at the reunion were Drescher's mother and father, Sylvia and Morty, who made several appearances on the show. In the special, Daniel Davis, or "Danny", was said by Drescher to have gotten "lost". At the end of the special, "Danny" (actually Danny Bonaduce), makes an appearance.

The High Sign: A Filmmaker Emerges(en)

Documentary about Buster Keaton's The 'High Sign' (1921) and Keaton's developing style.

Jewish Delis: Something to Kvell About!(en)

A celebration of a great Jewish-American tradition. Beginning as places for Jews from Central and Eastern Europe to eat and meet, they expanded across America and eventually attracted as many non-Jews as Jews. Today, the number of Jewish Delis has shrunk dramatically and many of the survivors have adapted to changing times, sometimes in ways their forebears might not recognize.

One Week: Marvelous Toys(en)

Short documentary on the making of Buster Keaton's One Week.

东瀛大宝荐：迷失东京(zh)

The Haunted House: Gags and Growth(en)

Documentary about the development of Buster Keaton's The Haunted House (1921).

The Goat Is Not a Goat(en)

A short documentary on the works of Buster Keaton.

At Night, the Red Sky(fa)

On a very dark night, in the boiling atmosphere of the recent Iranian uprising, a woman and a man travel through time and remember. Since September 2022, a large part of the Iranian population has been in revolt. Women and men are saying ‘no’. What is the content of this ‘no’? Totalitarian resentment condemns us to forget, but the film’s protagonists try to go back in time through their own memories-footages, and take us through the labyrinths of a society in search of its image. Memory-image is a weapon with which they hope to rescue a revolt, a liberation