Destiny | Kanopy

The first feature film on homosexuality from sub-Saharan Africa. While "coming out" may have become primetime fare in the U.S., this film was met with angry protests when it was shot in the director's native Guinea and has generated heated debate among Africanists here as well. But beyond its controversial topic, Dakan is a contemporary African reinterpretation of the age-old Romeo and Juliet conflict between love and social convention.

DAKAN is the story of two men who by "coming out" disappear, become invisible to their families and society, because their society has no language which recognizes their love.

"'Coming out' and seeking acceptance is nothing new; but in this small but heartfelt film it is given fresh life...A trailblazer in the African context." - Variety

"This fascinating film. . . . deals with homosexual love in contemporary Guinea. It allows us to see the dangers in supposing there can be a universal gay narrative and it is also a charming narrative." - K. Anthony Appiah, Harvard University

Running Time

90 mins

Year

1997

Kanopy ID

1139643

Filmmakers

Mohamed Camara

Languages

French, Mandikan

Subjects

Movies > World Cinema

Movies

Movies > LGBTQ Cinema

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