**The film “African Glory”: a little-known historical epic that challenges traditional narratives**
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Babemba cinema in Bamako, Mali, hosted the screening of the film “African Glory”. This feature film, directed by Thierry Bugaud, is a subtle blend of fiction and documentary that traces the expedition of Emperor Aboubacar II in the 14th century. Awarded in 2023 at the Cannes International Pan-African Film Festival, this film lifts the veil on a little-known epic of African history, thus deconstructing certain colonial historical narratives.
The story of Emperor Aboubacar II, who left the West African coast before Christopher Columbus to explore what lay beyond the Atlantic Ocean, is a revelation for many viewers. Thanks to Cheick Tidiane Seck, a Malian pianist and actor in the film, director Thierry Bugaud was able to shed light on this fascinating story. Seck, who also composed some of the film’s music, helped give this production a unique artistic dimension.
Director Thierry Bugaud stressed the importance of sharing this little-known story that concerns not only Africa, but the entire world. He evokes the formidable feat of an emperor who, in 1312, led a fleet of 2,000 ships towards the Atlantic, thus defying the limits of knowledge at the time. The enigma of this expedition, its progress and its eventual arrival on the American coasts are at the heart of the story, leaving room for speculation and the viewer’s imagination.
While traveling to Mexico for the needs of filming, the film crew discovered surprising elements that suggest an African presence in pre-Columbian America. This encounter between two worlds, at times when we thought they did not know each other, opens up new perspectives on the history of humanity. Exploring these unexpected historical paths provides a different perspective on the exchanges and interactions between ancient civilizations.
Through “African Glory”, Thierry Bugaud invites us to question our certainties and explore the multiple facets of history. This captivating story reminds us that the past still holds many mysteries to be discovered and that traditional stories can sometimes obscure essential truths. Beyond the epic of Emperor Aboubacar II, this exceptional film offers us a reflection on the construction of our collective knowledge and on the stories that forge our identity.
In short, “African Glory” takes us on a journey to the crossroads of continents and eras, inviting us to revisit our understanding of the past and imagine a future where the boundaries between peoples and cultures fade. A committed and instructive cinematographic work, to be discovered absolutely to open new horizons on the world around us.