Portal:African cinema/Selected film/27

Disco Afrika : A Malagasy Story is a 2023 Malagasy drama film directed by Luck Razanajaona. It had its world premiere at the 2023 Marrakech International Film Festival and European premiere at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival, making it the first-ever Malagasy selection for a major international festival.

The film takes place in contemporary Madagascar and follows Kwame, a young sapphire miner struggling to make a living. Returning to his hometown due to an unexpected turn of events, he finds himself confronted with the rampant corruption plaguing Madagascar and is torn between making easy money and keeping his integrity —mirroring a country that is straddling a painful past and hopeful resurgence.  

Reviews have been positive. CineEuropa’s critic wrote:

"Attempting to capture the soul of Madagascar (its ancestral rites) and to make connections between eras so as to honour the island’s enduring spirit of resistance and denounce the collective chaos orchestrated to benefit the few, Luck Razanajaona delivers an engaged and highly enlightening film, making clever use of radio, songs and photos to fuel a very simple story."