Idrissou Mora-Kpai, the acclaimed Beninese filmmaker and The Africa Institute’s Okwui Enewzor Fellow, recently participated in an engaging session with students from New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus. Hosted by the MFA Program in Arts and Media from November 21 to 23, 2023, the session was facilitated by Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis and provided a platform for meaningful discussions on art, film, and the intricacies of the creative process.
On the opening day, Mora-Kpai engaged in thoughtful conversations with students, exploring the nuances of their diverse projects spanning painting, photography, sculpture, and video installations. He expressed admiration for their keen awareness of global issues and insightful understanding of the contemporary political landscape.
A highlight of the engagement was a focused dialogue on Mora-Kpai’s film Indochina: Traces of a Mother. The documentary explores the story of African soldiers conscripted to fight for the French colonial empire during the Vietnam War and the subsequent separation of their children from Vietnamese mothers. The film screening, held the day before the discussion, laid the groundwork for a deep exploration of the filmmaking process.
“The creation of Indochina involved extensive research and archival work. It was heartening to witness the students’ keen interest in the intricacies of research within the realm of art creation, including the associated challenges,” remarked Idrissou Mora-Kpai.
Discussions also addressed the complexities of crafting documentaries, including techniques for navigating raw footage and overcoming challenges in film financing. The exchange extended to strategies for preserving creative integrity when navigating differing cultural perspectives among collaborators, particularly in relation to producers and financiers.
Reflecting on his time at NYU Abu Dhabi, Mora-Kpai said, “Overall, my time at NYU Abu Dhabi was enriching, and I’m grateful to Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis and the department for giving me the opportunity to engage with their talented and intellectually curious students.”
With a distinguished career spanning 25 years, Mora-Kpai is committed to creating artistically compelling and socially relevant work, focusing on underrepresented narratives. His filmography includes award-winning works such as Arlit: The Second Paris and America Street, screened at prestigious festivals around the world.
Currently a faculty member at Ithaca College, Mora-Kpai plans to develop two projects during his fellowship at The Africa Institute: the feature-length documentary Border Life and a revised script for Corporal Ganda. He aims to expand his professional network and explore potential collaborators and funding opportunities in the region, further solidifying his impact on the global cinematic landscape.
Idrissou Mora-Kpai, the acclaimed Beninese filmmaker and The Africa Institute’s Okwui Enewzor Fellow, recently participated in an engaging session with students from New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus. Hosted by the MFA Program in Arts and Media from November 21 to 23, 2023, the session was facilitated by Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis and provided a platform for meaningful discussions on art, film, and the intricacies of the creative process.
Idrissou Mora-Kpai, the acclaimed Beninese filmmaker and The Africa Institute’s Okwui Enewzor Fellow, recently participated in an engaging session with students from New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus. Hosted by the MFA Program in Arts and Media from November 21 to 23, 2023, the session was facilitated by Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis and provided a platform for meaningful discussions on art, film, and the intricacies of the creative process.
On the opening day, Mora-Kpai engaged in thoughtful conversations with students, exploring the nuances of their diverse projects spanning painting, photography, sculpture, and video installations. He expressed admiration for their keen awareness of global issues and insightful understanding of the contemporary political landscape.
A highlight of the engagement was a focused dialogue on Mora-Kpai’s film Indochina: Traces of a Mother. The documentary explores the story of African soldiers conscripted to fight for the French colonial empire during the Vietnam War and the subsequent separation of their children from Vietnamese mothers. The film screening, held the day before the discussion, laid the groundwork for a deep exploration of the filmmaking process.
“The creation of Indochina involved extensive research and archival work. It was heartening to witness the students’ keen interest in the intricacies of research within the realm of art creation, including the associated challenges,” remarked Idrissou Mora-Kpai.
Discussions also addressed the complexities of crafting documentaries, including techniques for navigating raw footage and overcoming challenges in film financing. The exchange extended to strategies for preserving creative integrity when navigating differing cultural perspectives among collaborators, particularly in relation to producers and financiers.
Reflecting on his time at NYU Abu Dhabi, Mora-Kpai said, “Overall, my time at NYU Abu Dhabi was enriching, and I’m grateful to Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis and the department for giving me the opportunity to engage with their talented and intellectually curious students.”
With a distinguished career spanning 25 years, Mora-Kpai is committed to creating artistically compelling and socially relevant work, focusing on underrepresented narratives. His filmography includes award-winning works such as Arlit: The Second Paris and America Street, screened at prestigious festivals around the world.
Currently a faculty member at Ithaca College, Mora-Kpai plans to develop two projects during his fellowship at The Africa Institute: the feature-length documentary Border Life and a revised script for Corporal Ganda. He aims to expand his professional network and explore potential collaborators and funding opportunities in the region, further solidifying his impact on the global cinematic landscape.
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