A landmark work of political cinema by a major figure of Pan-African cinema
" THE EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF AN EXCEPTIONAL ARTIST ."
MARTIN SCORSESE
AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON BLU-RAY
Domingos Xavier, an Angolan revolutionary activist, is arrested by the Portuguese secret police and taken to prison in the capital, Luanda. Determined to find her husband, Maria leaves the village in turn, her baby on her back, aided in her quest by men and women sympathetic to her story and to Domingos's cause…
For her second feature film, pioneering Pan-African filmmaker Sarah Maldoror makes the bold choice to trade the revolutionary epic for an intimate tragedy, centered on the early stages of the struggle for independence. Shot with non-professional actors, Sambizanga is an ode to collective action, boasting incredibly powerful and unique direction. Available for the first time on Blu-ray™ in its stunning 4K restoration, Sambizanga is a magnificent tribute to the unsung heroes of the resistance, filmed by a great director.
SAMBIZANGA by Sarah Maldoror
(1972 - Color - 99 min)
New 4K restoration
Original version with French subtitles
Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray + Booklet
Never before released on Blu-ray
EXTRAS (IN HD)
. INTRODUCTION BY MARTIN SCORSESE
. INTERVIEW WITH ANNOUCHKA DE ANDRADE AND HENDA DUCADOS (6 mins)
Directed by: Antoine Aphesbero
Production: Palais de Tokyo, on the occasion of the exhibition “Sarah Maldoror: tricontinental cinema”, 11/26/2021 - 3/20/2022
Using documents and photographs, the filmmaker's two daughters revisit Sarah Maldoror's life to create an intimate portrait of the woman and mother she was.
4 UNRELEASED FILMS DIRECTED BY SARAH MALDOROR
MONANGAMBÉÉÉ (1969 – Black & White – 16 min – 4K Restoration )
This first film by Sarah Maldoror lets bodies and music speak to give voice to the resistance of the Angolan people against Portuguese colonialism.
CARNIVAL TRILOGY
FOGO, ISLAND OF FIRE (1979 – Color – 34 min – 4K Restoration )
IN BISSAU, THE CARNIVAL (1980 – Color – 19 min – 4K Restoration )
CARNIVAL IN THE SAHEL (1979 – Color – 30 min – 4K Restoration )
Upon discovering the Cape Verde islands in 1978 after their independence, Sarah Maldoror was captivated by the archipelago and decided to film three movies there as an urgent necessity. She captured the harshness of life on the volcanic island of Fogo, then filmed the preparations and festivities of Carnival in São Vicente and Guinea-Bissau.
THE BOOKLET
FACSIMILE OF "THE CINEMA STAGE" No. 720, February 2025 (124 pages)
Interviews, A to Z on director Sarah Maldoror, filming memories, press review, technical sheet, original screenplay, French and Portuguese dialogues, and much more!
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BD 50 • HIGH DEFINITION MASTER • 1080/23.98p • AVC ENCODING
Original Version DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 • French Subtitles
Aspect ratio 1.37 respected • Color • Film Length: 99 minutes
Release date: March 18, 2025
