The 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which began last week, has hosted the screening of two African movies.

Two Weeks in Lagos comes from Nigerian director Kathryn Fasegha while Atlantics was helmed by French-Senegalese director Mati Diop.

Two weeks in Lagos features Nollywood actors like Beverly Naya, Jide Kosoko and Joke Silva. Fasegha said: “It’s a love story and also a faith-based story. It’s a story about a young couple that meet and go through a lot of challenges. It’s also a love story with a difference because of the characters involved. They are two characters with strong ethics who know exactly what they want.”

Set in the city of Lagos, the movie will also be screened in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and other parts of the world.

Kathryn said: “I am very excited to be at the Cannes Film Festival. For me, it’s not just about directing a movie, it is also exciting to see my movie placed on one of the biggest film platforms in the world.”

Atlantics is the story about a young woman (Mame Sane) in Senegal whose lover disappears by boat in search of greater opportunities in Europe.

Mati Diop is the first woman of African descent to feature in the competition segment of the festival, the Palme d’Or.

“It’s pretty late and it’s incredible that it is still relevant,” she said. “My first feeling, to be the first black female director, was a little sadness that this only happened today, in 2019. But if, for some young black female film directors, I can represent a new dynamic, I’m obviously extremely happy.”

The Cannes Film Festival comes to a close on May 25.

tagged in: Atlantics, Cannes Film Festival, Kathryn Fasegha, Mati Diop, Two Weeks in Lagos