Oumarou Ganda

Moi, un noir (1958) is an unusual starting point: Ganda performs a version of himself under the borrowed name Edward G. Robinson, then supplies commentary over scenes of life in Abidjan. The Nigerien performer helps turn Jean Rouch's film into a collaboration between observation and invention. Listen to the voice as much as you watch the image. Its energy comes from the gap between everyday work, private fantasy and the screen identities the participants choose.