Rue Cases-Nègres (Sugar Cane Alley) | 1983

The June Givanni Pan-African Cinema Archive (JGPACA), in partnership with Afrika Eye and the People's Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC), is thrilled to present a screening of Rue Cases-Nègres (1983) by Euzhan Palcy. This iconic work of Pan-African cinema is the first feature film directed by a Black woman in France and won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Best First Film at the César Awards (1984), and the Audience Award at the Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 1985.

Set in 1930s Martinique, the film tells the story of José, a bright young boy whose grandmother is determined to secure his education and future amid the harsh conditions of the sugarcane plantations. Through its powerful portrayal of life in Sugar Cane Alley, the film captures the resilience and collective resistance of a community living under French colonial rule.

Palcy has said about her work and its purpose that filmmaking is not just about storytelling but about connection and healing: “With my camera I don’t shoot, I heal”. A belief that gives the film a tender resonance that can be felt throughout.

The screening is part of the JGPACA Fellowship: Curating with Pan-African Cinema Archives, an eight-week programme in which participants have explored Pan-African film and archival practice through the Curate-It eight-step model. Fellows will critically engage with archival materials and film histories to shape a collaborative curatorial response. 

After the screening, Dr June Givanni, film curator and founder of JGPACA, will lead a discussion on Palcy’s ground-breaking work and the continuing significance of Rue Cases Nègres in global cinema and archival practice.

This event forms part of Building Community Audiences for Pan-African Cinema in the Regions, a year-long initiative across five UK cities, supported by the BFI Screen Heritage Fund with National Lottery funding.