Growing up in political exile in the US, Mahen became a fixture in the NYC party scene of the 1970s and 80s. Now she’s the powerhouse founder of the African Film Festival which enters its 30th year this summer.
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Dress, Elsie Sanor
on her morning routine
I like to get moving early in the morning. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes to get my heart rate up. I do little exercises while I watch the news--focusing on my stomach, neck and legs. I love eating fruit in the morning, usually whatever is in season but especially mangoes. I also try to drink a lot of water throughout the day and that starts in the morning along with Ritual vitamins and Bacopa Monniera. It’s really basic stuff but these simple things have become a ritual and really set me up to go into my day.
on her heritage and a history of social justice
I am who I am and I do what I do because of my background. I was born in Sierra Leone and I come from a political family so from an early age I observed that African spirit. I remember when the Biafran War happened there were 3 students from Nigeria living in my family’s house. I also recall conversations held in my home about South Africa and people holding secret meetings for the ANC. Growing up there was an understanding of Pan-Africanism and the mutual support we all had for each other. Anyone under 45 did not see the Africa I grew up in--a society full of hope and heavily political. During the immediate post-independence period when all of these countries seemed like they’d have a seat at the table and the chance to determine their own destiny. But then the Cold War ended up playing out on the entire continent, leaders were deposed or assassinated and it drifted back toward being badly broken.
how she got into film
Early on in New York I worked at Newsweek and at Young and Rubicam during the height of the 2 hour lunch. While other people would go and drink I would go to The Paris Theater and just sit rapt watching whatever film they were playing. It might have been just one other person and me sitting there eating my lunch in the theater but those experiences made me love film even more.
““I love film, I love talking about it. Being a small part of making films and helping them get seen feels like a huge honor. That’s why you stick it out; this business makes no sense, it’s constantly evolving, it’s punishing but it’s really fun? I think the minute it’s no longer an interesting challenge, you have got to do something else. Same is true about NY, if you no longer love to hate it, you have to move.””
on moving to nyc in exile
The irony of all the turmoil was as countries declined and people needed to find new places to live they’d end up moving to the country that was the former colonial oppressor. My Grandfather actually came to America for college in the late 1800s from Sierra Leone and my Dad came over to America as well for school on a scholarship in the 30s. So when the coup happened my Dad said no way to moving to any of the former colonizers and we went to America (which of course has its own storied legacy with the Africa continent). I moved when I was 15. Even though my family was very focused on returning to Africa, I was so interested in America! I wanted to explore and experience New York. I was just a kid, I didn’t fully appreciate everything my family was going through--I wanted to have fun. I got more interested in the art scene and as it became more clear that being here might not be temporary I began to find my place.
realizing the need for an African Film Festival
The real lightbulb moment came when I went to the Locarno Film Festival while visiting my husband’s family. I was flipping through the catalog and I saw a program called “30 Years of African Cinema”. I was like, Oh my God, I didn't know this body of work that Africans themselves were telling their stories through this medium. We’d been struggling to take control of our image, our story and I was so glad to see that some Africans had done it but disappointed that it was hard for people to see. Good or bad it’s our own outlook and I knew immediately that I needed to help get these perspectives more attention.
Dress, Elsie Sanor
Dress, Elsie Sanor
““It may sound simple but I’m inspired when something good happens. When I see small kindnesses in everyday life like someone holding a door open or being nice. We’re all still human no matter our differences and though we are often pitted against each other, being reminded of our oneness is really inspiring to me.””
Kimono, Vintage
on founding the African Film Festival
I was around 32 when I started the festival and it was good that I was so naive because if I knew then what I know now I’m not sure I would have done it. Early on it was so hard to find people to listen and I wanted to give up. I was living for the few people who were reading my proposals and would answer my calls. All at once, I got pregnant and my mom passed away and I was still trying to get this festival going. I finally got through to some people. I attended seminars on non-profit formation and connected with the New York Cultural Council to get early funding. Then on the film end I just reached out to the partners I loved (The Public Theatre, Lincoln Center) and through sheer force of will got through to them. The Public Theater was showing films at that time and I contacted them endlessly, same thing with Lincoln Center.
on the early days of the festival and how african cinema has grown since
Early on we were just trying to reach as many people as we could. We’d print huge amounts of flyers and distribute them. We were doing everything to get money to fund things but in the early days it was really just running on passion. We got a little bit of support from the French government because they were one of the only places really supporting African film but that was tough. People did us some favors with programming and space and we were able to build an audience by reaching out to the African and African diaspora communities in New York and the film communities.
Technology has helped African cinema grow - we’re seeing kids talking to each other, communicating and sharing film knowledge in a way that was impossible before. Everyone has a phone and right there, that device, you can just shoot something that feels real and true to you. It doesn’t matter what your other circumstances are, if you have a phone now you can make a film. And there’s so much creative energy in Africa, in fashion, in music and film that harnessing that through supportive communities that have sprung up and the technological jump forward has been amazing. It’s also just more available. How could a kid see a Sembene film before? Or a Safi Faye film? These kids can have makeshift theaters on their computers and share information with the whole community.
““Making good food calms me down and I love the ritual of shopping. I show people love and care through making them food. I always use the analogy of good food and bad food for every situation. A stereotypical character in a movie is bad food and a rich movie is good food. That extends to my life. I’ll go to Trader Joe’s for some things, the Union Square Farmer’s Market for others, the 99 cent store for some and Chelsea Market for others. I love making squid ink pasta or other Italian dishes with my own African twist.””
on her favorite books
The Dances of Africa by Michel Huet is not just about dance but about geography and history in a way that is engaging and remarkable. I’ve looked through this book so much for inspiration and beauty. I also recommend Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz, Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina by Raquel Cepeda and Secrets by Nuruddin Farah.
on her style
I have accumulated a treasure trove of great quality designer clothes from back-in-the-day, when you could get a Valentino dress coat for $50 at a sample sale. Thrift clothes from over the years, when the quality of the material mattered. I have some amazing African tailors who make clothes for me. I have accumulated timeless pieces over the years, so I am constantly shopping in my closet. I follow just my own trend and wear what suits me and what I like.
on her beauty routine
I wash my face with soap and use a face towel, to gently get rid of dead skin. I use coconut oil, light creams (Andalou’s Happy Day Cream) in the summer and shea butter when the weather turns cold. I also use the perfume 4711 Echt Kolnisch Wasser, Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF15 and Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation for makeup.
mahen’s favorite films
Waiting for Happiness by Abderrahmane Sissako, Shoot the Messenger by Ngozi Onwurah, Guelwaar by Ousmane Sembene, Yaaba by Idrissa Ouedraogo and Mossane by Safi Faye
mahen’s favorite places in nyc
I love the Walter Reade Theater. I have seen so many films there that I’ve lost track. I also love The Paris Theater uptown for the history. They only have one film playing at a time but I kind of love that. For food, I love Pikine in Harlem and Takahachi. I dance every week at the Alvin Ailey Studio.
Coat, Extè ; Dress, Sophie Massun ; Bag, Johnny Farah of If Boutique