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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. The session was hosted by the MFA Program in Arts and Media between November 21 – 23, 2023. Facilitated by Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis, the event provided a platform for meaningful discussions on art, film, and the intricate processes behind creative endeavors.
During the initial day, Mora-Kpai actively participated in enlightening conversations with students, delving into the nuances of their diverse projects spanning painting, photography, sculpture, and video installations. He expressed admiration for the students’ keen awareness of global issues and their insightful grasp of the contemporary political landscape.
The highlight of the engagement was a focused dialogue on Mora-Kpai’s film, “Indochina Traces of a Mother.” This documentary explores the narrative 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 screening of the film, which took place a day prior to the discussion, laid the foundation for a profound 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 encompassed the complexities of crafting documentaries, including techniques for navigating through raw footage and addressing challenges in film financing. The exchange extended to strategies for preserving creative concepts amidst potential disparities in cultural perspectives among collaborators, aiming to prevent dilution by producers and financiers.
Reflecting on his time at NYU Abu Dhabi, Mora-Kpai expressed gratitude, stating, “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.”
Idrissou Mora-Kpai, with a distinguished career spanning 25 years, is committed to producing artistically compelling and socially relevant work, focusing on underrepresented narratives. His extensive filmography includes award-winning works such as “Arlit, The Second Paris” and “America Street,” screened at prestigious festivals worldwide.
Currently serving as a faculty member at Ithaca College, Mora-Kpai plans to work on two projects during his fellowship at The Africa Institute: the feature-length documentary “Border Life” and the revision of the script for “Corporal Ganda.” He aims to expand his professional network and explore potential collaborators and funding sources 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. The session was hosted by the MFA Program in Arts and Media between November 21 – 23, 2023. Facilitated by Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis, the event provided a platform for meaningful discussions on art, film, and the intricate processes behind creative endeavors.
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. The session was hosted by the MFA Program in Arts and Media between November 21 – 23, 2023. Facilitated by Professors Dale Hudson and Terri Geis, the event provided a platform for meaningful discussions on art, film, and the intricate processes behind creative endeavors.
During the initial day, Mora-Kpai actively participated in enlightening conversations with students, delving into the nuances of their diverse projects spanning painting, photography, sculpture, and video installations. He expressed admiration for the students’ keen awareness of global issues and their insightful grasp of the contemporary political landscape.
The highlight of the engagement was a focused dialogue on Mora-Kpai’s film, “Indochina Traces of a Mother.” This documentary explores the narrative 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 screening of the film, which took place a day prior to the discussion, laid the foundation for a profound 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 encompassed the complexities of crafting documentaries, including techniques for navigating through raw footage and addressing challenges in film financing. The exchange extended to strategies for preserving creative concepts amidst potential disparities in cultural perspectives among collaborators, aiming to prevent dilution by producers and financiers.
Reflecting on his time at NYU Abu Dhabi, Mora-Kpai expressed gratitude, stating, “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.”
Idrissou Mora-Kpai, with a distinguished career spanning 25 years, is committed to producing artistically compelling and socially relevant work, focusing on underrepresented narratives. His extensive filmography includes award-winning works such as “Arlit, The Second Paris” and “America Street,” screened at prestigious festivals worldwide.
Currently serving as a faculty member at Ithaca College, Mora-Kpai plans to work on two projects during his fellowship at The Africa Institute: the feature-length documentary “Border Life” and the revision of the script for “Corporal Ganda.” He aims to expand his professional network and explore potential collaborators and funding sources in the region, further solidifying his impact on the global cinematic landscape.
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