The African country of Guinea contains the biggest bauxite deposits in the world. However, the profits from the extraction of this ore, which is used to produce aluminum, does not go to the Guineans. Despite this, beside the capital’s factories are all kinds of craftsmen, who melt down used aluminum cans to make new objects necessary for the lives of the community, making them into pots, bricks, drums and even antennas. This artisan activity, and manual work in general, are celebrated in a symbolic way by the dance troupe Soleil d’Afrique, evoking through their choreography the nourishing relationship of men and the women to the earth.

(SEE – French version)

Awards and festivals

– Best Canadian Documentary, 19e Festival Vues d’Afrique

– Official competition, 25e Festival Cinéma du réel à Paris

– Official competition, Canadian Spectrum, 2003 HotDocs, Toronto,

– 4e Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal

– États généraux du film documentaire de Lussas 2004

Credits

Documentary, 77 minutes, 2002

Research, production, direction / Sylvain L’Espérance

Cinematography / Jacques Leduc

Sound recording / Diane Carrière

Editing / René Roberge

Sound editing / Francine Poirier

Français