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Abderrahmane Sissako, realizador de Timbuktu, em entrevista ao New York Times

Published15 Dec 2014

Timbuktu, de Abderrahmane Sissako, que se passa na histórica cidade do Mali no período de dominação de grupos extremistas islâmicos, foi selecionado para concorrer ao Óscar de Melhor Fime Estrangeiro, pela Mauritânia, tendo sido já distinguido com dois prémios no Festival de Cannes em Maio. Larry Rohter, no New York Times, começa por lembrar o publico que o único realizador africano distinguido pela Academia de Hollywood foi Gavin Hood, pelo filme Tsotsi, em 2005, apresentando depois excertos da sua conversa com o realizador mauritano agora seleccionado, em que este fala do filme e da forma como o chamado "cinema africano" é olhado pelo ocidente.

Q. Do you think there are any special difficulties or burdens you face in being an African filmmaker that an Asian or Latin American director wouldn’t confront?

A. Well, that’s what we’re called, “African filmmaker,” in quotes, but is there such a thing? Think about it in terms of Europe. For example you could have a Belgian film nominated for an Oscar, and it will be called a Belgian film, not a European film. But if you have a Mauritanian film that is nominated for an Oscar, suddenly it becomes an African film. And I think that is because the rarity of it leads to this kind of naming. So it’s a burden, but also an opportunity, to represent a continent. Because if it’s a success, it’s a success shared by everyone, and that for me would be the greatest honor, to win for an entire continent.

Q.What are your expectations for the Oscar? Would you be content with a nomination?

A.I think it’s like being selected for Cannes. Even to be nominated, the nomination itself is a prize. It’s a victory, both for the film and the subject. But for once, I’m not going to be modest. I want to win. Because the Oscar is not for us, it’s for everyone who’s out there. If we get it, it’s almost like the world is opening.

Entrevista completa em ‘Timbuktu’ Director on the Burdens and Blessings of the Label ‘African Filmmaker’