“I am honoured to have worked as Director of Photography on the short documentary film, ‘I Cannot Bury My Father’. And, thrilled that it has been selected for this year’s African Film Festival, New York, 2021. More news and links coming soon…” Jason Florio – Photographer/Filmmaker
Poster advertising the screening of ‘I Cannot Bury My Father’ short documentary at the African Film Festival, New York. Director of Photography – Jason Florio
In 2005, Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh murdered 56 West African migrants out of fear they were mercenaries intending to overthrow him. The disappearance of their slain bodies robbed families of healing and closure by being unable to bury their loved ones. Isaac Mensah, one of the victim’s sons, shares the emotional toll of this atrocity and his quest for answers… ‘I Cannot Bury My Father’, African Film Festival
Photographer, and filmmaker, Jason Florio, with Isaac Mensah and his family, during the filming of ‘I Cannot Bury My Father’, Ghana. Image courtesy of Festus-Jackson Davies
A triumphant, and momentous day for The Gambia, West Africa. Ten’s of thousands of euphoric Gambians lined the streets for miles – and miles! (an estimated over 100,000 Gambians flocked the main road) – to welcome home their new president, Adama Barrow. Due to potential security risks, Barrow had briefly exiled himself to neighbouring Senegal, where he was inaugurated at the Gambian Embassy, Dakar.
On December 1st, 2016, the Gambian people voted out their autocratic President Yahya Jammeh, after 22 years in power, and elected Adama Barrow as their new president. Jammeh conceded defeat but a week later announced that he was annulling the election results and would not step down. A grassroots movement #GambiaHasDecided emerged in reaction.
Activists initially set up billboards with the slogan #GambiaHasDecided. The billboards were torn down by Jammeh loyalists. Not to be intimidated, the activists around the country turned to spray painting the slogan.
On January 21st, 2017, in response to mounting international pressure, Yahya Jammeh, along with his family, finally boarded a flight and left The Gambia with Guinean President, Alpha Condé. Jammeh has since been in exile in Equatorial Guinea.
As he mounted the stairs to the plane, he turned to the crowd, kissed his Qur’an and waved one last time to supporters, including soldiers who cried at his departure. The Guardian
On January 26th, 2017, the new president of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, returned home to mass celebrations. For his own safety, Barrow had exiled himself to Senegal, where, on January 19th, he took oath at the country’s embassy in Dakar
