Programs Film @ The Africa Center- Tug of War Vuta n kuvute

Join us at The Africa Center on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00PM ET for Film at The Africa Center screening of Tug of War/Vuta n’kuvute. In this coming-of-age political love story set in the final years of British colonial Zanzibar, Denge, a young freedom fighter, meets Yasmin, an Indian-Zanzibari woman, in the middle of the night as she is on her way to be married. Passion and revolution escalate.

In partnership with the African Film Festival, Film at The Africa Center will host a series showcasing a selection of films by renowned and emerging African filmmakers. These films will reflect a range of genres, themes, and visual styles, allowing audiences to experience the vibrant tapestry of African cinema.

About the Director

Amil Shivji was born in Tanzania and is a filmmaker and lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam. He believes in using images to challenge the powers that be, in particular, by deconstructing urban facades of development and emphasizing the strength and struggles of marginalized communities. Amil has written, directed, and produced short films that have participated in Rotterdam and FESPACO, winning the People’s Choice Award in Zanzibar and Best Director in Africa. His feature directorial debut, T-Junction, (2017), opened the Zanzibar International Film Festival, winning three awards. He has a Masters in Fine Arts from York University in Toronto. His second feature, Tug of War (2021), was the winner of the Best Long Feature award at the Mashariki African Film Festival in Rwanda, and the winner of the Oumarou Ganda Prize at FESPACO 2021.