Amakki (PG)

Nestled amid the verdant coffee-growing hills of Sidama, a single dwelling becomes the stage for an intimate exploration of the intricate bonds between the women inside. Dorite, the matriarch; her daughter Mulu; Tigu, Dorite’s granddaughter; and Mita, Mulu’s baby, find solace under one roof.

From dawn till dusk, they labour tirelessly – working the land, cooking food, and tending to livestock. While shared laughter, tender care, and freshly brewed coffee knit them closer, the weight of their daily burdens strains their unity. As external pressures encroach upon Dorite’s household, their familial harmony faces greater threats.

Divided into four poignant chapters, Amakki delves into the joys, mundanities, and tribulations unique to each stage of womanhood. These snapshots weave together a tapestry of shared experiences, highlighting the complexities of communion amidst adversity. Amakki unveils a timeless essence of motherhood, a simple melody of compassion that transcends the boundaries of age and circumstance.

We are thrilled to have director Célia Boussebaa for a live introduction, and the event will be followed by a coffee-based reflective ritual, hosted by artist and horticulturalist Matilya Njau.

“This will be a coffee-based reflection after the screening where you will have the chance to do a slow tasting of some Ethiopian coffee together as we reflect on the film, our relationships to the coffee plant and more generally with the land. There will also be a chance to ask some questions to the director and opportunity to also try some dandelion coffee!” Matilya Njau

Supported by Leeds International African Arts Festival, and Film Hub North.