“Sambizanga” is a 1972 Angolan film directed by Sarah Maldoror. The film tells the story of a young Angolan man named Domingos, who is arrested by Portuguese colonial authorities for his involvement in a nationalist movement seeking independence for Angola. The film follows Domingos’ wife, Maria, as she searches for him and navigates the complexities of life under colonial rule.
The film is considered a classic of African cinema and was groundbreaking for its portrayal of the struggles of the Angolan people during the country’s war for independence from Portugal. It was also one of the first films directed by a woman of African descent to gain international recognition.
“Sambizanga” was banned in Portugal and its colonies upon release, but it went on to win awards at film festivals around the world, including the Tanit d’Or at the Carthage Film Festival and the Silver Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival. The film remains an important cultural artifact in Angola’s history and is regarded as a powerful statement against colonialism and oppression.