"Hommage à Noir", by Ralf Schmerberg (Germany)

HOMMAGE À NOIR

Germany

Hommage à Noir is a journey through the Black Continent in quest of its peoples and cultures - a film-poem that portrays an intense encounter with the so-called "third world". The documentary shows Africans who live proudly between traditional ritual and daily modern living.

In black and white, the film has no words and relies on the strength of images to the sound of tribal music and up-to-date rhythm, to portray the racial and cultural melting pot that makes up the vast African continent.

The intent is to tear down barriers, show this universe from within, and to see a "third world" with curious, and, at the same time, native eyes. Hommage à Noir does not focus on tourist attractions, but rather on the peoples and the regions where they live.

Director

DIRECTOR:	Ralf Schmerberg
SCREENPLAY:	Ralf Schmerberg
CINEMATOGRAPHER:	Franz Lustig
EDITION:	Franz Lustig
MUSIC:	Ralf Hildenbeutel
PRODUCER:	Ralf Schmerberg, Sigrid Maier-Schönung
FESTIVALS:	Nova York, Chicago, Karlovy Vary, São Petersburgo, Elche (Espanha)
PRODUCTION:	Trigger Happy Productions Mercedesstrasse 2571, 70372 - Stuttgart Tel.: 00 49 711 50-9413 Fax 00 49 711 559-0552
WORLD SALES:	Euroarts International Teckstrasse 64 - 70190 - Stuttgart Tel: 00 49 711 268-7610 Fax: 00 49 711 268-7676
ORIGINAL TITLE:	Hommage à Noir
	Col., 47'30 min., 1996

Born in 1965, in Stuttgart, Germany, Ralf Schmerberg made several documentaries and videoclips for German television. Hommage à Noir, awarded prizes in several international festivals, is his first feature film.