Black Skin [Ngozi Nyeusi]

Ngozi Nyeusi, the director's native langauge Swahili translated to "Black Skin" is a self exploratory experimental poetic film that utilizes music, experimental editing and poetry to communicate the inner thoughts of writer, director undergoing one of the most uncertain periods of modern human history.

The one thing that stayed with him throughout it all, was the skin on his bones. His Black Skin.

  • Joe-Francis Kiaga
    Actor
  • Joe-Francis Kiaga
    Director
  • Joe-Francis Kiaga
    Writer
  • Josephine Kiaga
    Producer
  • Joe-Francis Kiaga
    Key Cast
  • BOY GENIUS
    Musician
  • DYAD
    Musician
  • BROWN SUGA
    Musician
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Ngozi Nyeusi
  • Project Type:
    Other
  • Genres:
    Poetry, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 26, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Tanzania, United Republic of
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Canon EOS 700D
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Lift Off filmmaker sessions
    Birmingham
    United Kingdom
    April 26, 2023
    English Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Video Poem Compeitition of La Factorie
    Marsielle
    France
    May 26, 2023
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Zanzibar International Film Festival
    Stonetown
    Tanzania, United Republic of
    June 30, 2023
    African Premiere
Director Biography - Joe-Francis Kiaga

Joe-Francis Kiaga is a professionally trained Tanzanian
Photographer, Illustrator and Film Director who received
formal training and education in Cape Town at The Orms
Cape Town School of Photography. Poetry has always
been a passion of his and he has learned to integrate it
with his love for moving image. He has experience in
limited series, photography exhibitions and photography
collections. He is currently a photographer and editor for his co-owned Freelance Film and Photography Company Kiagraphy Media Ltd.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The title ‘Ngozi Nyeusi’ translates to ‘Black Skin’ from my native language, Swahili. It was inspired by my realization and appreciation that I will always carry myself with me wherever I am, trapped or otherwise.

II Arrived at Cape Town excited, I looked forward to the new experiences in store for me. The new friends I would make. Finally attending the kind of school I’d always dreamed of.

2020. COVID-19. A global pandemic. I found myself unable to fly back home to visit during the year as initially planned. My photography academy experience turned into an online based course. The friends I had made returned to their homes for quarantine, leaving me feeling truly alone in a new country.

Eventually my own room began to feel like a prison of some sort, one whose bars were molded by monotony and a longing desire to run home that would never feel fulfilled. Feeling fragmented, I just watched as time passed me by with the perpetual fear this would be my reality forever. I sat back and watched, for once I felt so small bearing witness to levels of global injustice against people who looked like me. People who had my same skin tone, same gender, but were simply in a different place. As their body's lay rest in the streets, I began to question my own existence and what it meant.

The emotional, mental and physical strain is showcased through the editing, colouring and music. Although it was over a year, it felt fragmented and jagged, moments of heavy thoughts blended with long lull's. I take the viewer through the phases I felt, displacement, controversy, fear and a perpetual unknowingness. You do not know where it begins and ends, you simply experience it as I did.

Welcome to my world.