February 1 - March 2 Authentic African Zeitgeist(s)

The Cascade Festival of African Films begins its 23rd year tonight. Being the real thing, they are more likely to avoid falling into Western and Northern traps and tropes criticized by Binyavanga Wainaina in his Granta piece. The films, drawn from across the continent, range from melodrama to material suited to children. This year several are themed on the African diaspora in the Caribbean. Some cover politics and even include a film on hiphop culture in Egypt just predating the Arab Spring. It's lean forward entertainment. Details at www.africanfilmfestival.org. Films show at PCC Cascade and the Hollywood Theater on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday schedule - check the web schedule. Best of all - free, all free.