JAZZ IN WAKANDA

Directed by Djaka Souaré / 2018 / 10 min

Jazz in Wakanda is inspired by a layered, loving, fun, yet complex mother & daughter relationship; their undeniable bond visible at all times, even when the inevitable complexities of life get thrown their way.

Julie, French & African immigrant, and her daughter Jazz, 7, are on their way to see the Greek tragedy "Antigone." As they stop by to get a milkshake, the cashier points out Julie's slight accent. The comment not only causes discomfort to both mother and daughter but triggers a much deeper conversation around Jazz's recent uncovering: slavery.

Female centered, the crew of Jazz in Wakanda was composed of 70% women crew. Our cast was composed of 100% Female characters, far from any type of usual cliché characters: strong, alive, unapologetic, unconventional, and embracing it.

Djaka Souaré, from West African & French descent, is an actress who started her career in theater at a young age before transitioning to Film & TV. She recently starred in HULU's EP.2 of Black Stories Present, directed by Phillip Youmans, TriBeCa 2019 Award winner, and in Nairobi, produced by Solange Knowles. Djaka is also a director; her short film Jazz in Wakanda, was selected at many festivals like Urban World, Nitehawk Shorts Festival & NewFilmmakers Los Angeles. Djaka spent three years at Goldcrest Prod & Saboteur Media, working as a producer both across documentary & narrative films. Fierce human's rights advocate, fighting for fair representation of minorities & the African diaspora across all media, Djaka has several projects in development, all celebrating diverse voices and multi-dimensional characters.


Born in Cairo, Egypt, Barbary Ahmed (Producer) is Technical Director at Goldcrest Post NYC. He studied computer sciences before pivoting to his passion: Film and Motion Picture, and spent five years working as a Post Production supervisor between Dubai and the US. His credits include: The Square, Hell On Earth: the fall of Syria and the rise of Isis, Free Solo, and Word is Bond.