Words By Jason Sewald
Exploring the Unseen Heroes: An Inside Look at “Festival of Slaps”
In a cinematic landscape often dominated by certain genres and narratives, emerging filmmakers are breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. One such filmmaker is Abdou Cisse, the creative force behind the thought-provoking film “Festival of Slaps.” In an exclusive interview, Cisse takes us behind the scenes, sharing the inspiration, challenges, and creative decisions that brought this unique project to life.
1. Unveiling the Real Superheroes: African Moms on the Big Screen
The film, “Festival of Slaps,” dives into the complexities of Pan African parenting and the clash of modern life. Cisse candidly reveals, “To be super real, I just wanted to create my own superhero film, with my mum as a knight in shining armour.” After his previous project, “Serious Tingz,” Cisse was determined to expand the universe of stories he told, consciously avoiding the tendency to pigeonhole Black filmmakers into specific genres.
The filmmaker wanted to challenge the lack of representation of a significant but often overlooked group: African moms. “They are the real superheroes,” he asserts, aiming to strip away misconceptions about African moms and create an authentic portrayal on the big screen.
The storytelling journey began with a personal defining moment, where Cisse almost choked to death, and his mother became his saviour. This moment became a powerful tool to play into the audience’s preconceptions and misconceptions about Black moms and upbringings.
2. The Slap: A Hilarious Twist with a Deeper Message
A central element of the film is a powerful and unexpected twist involving a slap. When asked about the creative decision behind this physical act, Cisse shares, “In short, it’s just hilarious, but I wanted to play with the stereotype that all Black parents are one way.” The slap serves as a red herring, challenging the misunderstood notion of strict discipline and revealing a deeper truth about parental struggles and the desire to prevent their children from falling.
3. Redefining Discipline and Parenting in African Families
The film portrays seemingly harsh parental actions as having positive, life-saving outcomes. Cisse emphasises, “I really wanted to create a somewhat love letter to my mum,” aiming to change the narrative surrounding Black mothers. He wants to showcase them as the true heroes, countering the broad strokes of being labelled as the “Angry Black Women.” The film aims to demystify misconceptions, inviting audiences to a rollercoaster of emotions and a deeper connection with their own experiences.
4. The BFI London Film Festival Experience
“Festival of Slaps” received recognition as an Official Selection at the BFI London Film Festival. Reflecting on this achievement, Cisse expresses gratitude for being recognized alongside incredible films and filmmakers. Winning the audience award for best British Film/Work was a highlight, acknowledging the dedication of the team that brought the film to life.
5. Casting and Emotional Depth: Bringing Characters to Life
The casting process played a crucial role in bringing the characters to life. Cisse acknowledges the contribution of Hannah Marie Williams Casting and highlights the unique energy that actress Kemi brought to the role of the mum. Balancing drama and humour on set was a challenge, requiring discussions and experimentation to find the right nuances for each character.
6. Balancing Drama and Comedy: A Delicate Art
Combining drama and comedy is a delicate art, and Cisse shares that it started with the script. Inspired by Dave Chappelle’s stand-up, he aimed to pace the film, giving drama the space it needed while ensuring comedy was snappy and melodic. The result is a film that engages the audience emotionally while providing moments of entertainment.
7. Generational Passing: A Seemingly Harsh Tradition
The film explores the theme of a generational passing down of a seemingly harsh tradition. Cisse elaborates, emphasising that what may seem harsh is, in reality, a parent’s love driving them to be overprotective. The film reflects on the inevitable transformation, where, despite our efforts to outgrow our parents, we end up becoming them in some way.
8. Visual Storytelling and Cinematography: Elevating Everyday Moments
The film’s powerful visual storytelling and cinematography are a result of a collaborative effort. Cisse commends the team for bringing their A-game, transforming the smallest, most mundane moments into something extraordinary. The creative decisions were driven by the ambition to make each moment cool and cinematic, pushing the boundaries of what “Festival of Slaps” could be.
In conclusion, “Festival of Slaps” is not just a film; it’s a celebration of African moms, a challenge to stereotypes, and a journey that transcends genres. Cisse invites audiences to experience a rollercoaster of emotions and, hopefully, leave the theatre with a newfound appreciation for their own heroes – their mothers.
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