Iman Dikko – one of three UW-Eau Claire students featured in Ndani Eau-Claire – is from Nigeria and graduated this past May with a management, operational, and supply chain comprehensive major.

On Nov. 6, a documentary that shares the experiences of three African students living in the Chippewa Valley while studying at UW-Eau Claire will premiere at 2:30pm at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire.

The force behind the film, Kehinde Olu Famule – who graduated from UW-Eau Claire in May – directed and filmed Ndani Eau-Claire while he was still a student. He has spent the months since his graduation editing the documentary, which he describes as a “story that needs to be told.”

“As a Nigerian American, I see opportunities to tell stories that show the nuances, beauty and complexity of Black stories every day,” says Famule. “I saw that a story about our small African community in Eau Claire had never been told before.”

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“My goal is that it will ... ultimately create a more empathetic and socially conscious Eau Claire.”

 –Kehinde Olu Famule

director of Ndani Eau-Claire

Ndani Eau-Claire – which means “Inside Eau-Claire” in Swahili – centers around three Blugolds, shining a light on the lives of a small group of African college students who live in the Chippewa Valley.

“Through the documentary, we follow these three students through the ups and downs of their semester,” Famule said. “The story includes themes of activism, Black experience, the impact of COVID-19, personal growth, police brutality, and community.”

The Blugolds featured include Paul Agbashi, a biology and pre-professional medicine major with a pre-professional health science minor who moved to the U.S. a year ago from Nigeria; Iman Dikko, an international student from Nigeria who graduated in May with a management, operational and supply chain comprehensive major; and Christabel Araba (Bella) Sackey, a Ghanian American from Middleton who has a major in public health and a minor in psychology.

“We follow these students through the chaos of 2020, as they face challenges of being Black in a predominantly white institution and also the impact of the coronavirus,” Famule said. “Later, our focus shifts to the EndSARS movement, the youth-led social unrest created to fight police brutality, and the oppressive systems occurring back in Nigeria. The Nigerian diaspora all over the world helplessly watched the government’s violent response, and subsequently, experienced mental and emotional turmoil for their family and relatives back home. Our protagonists and their Eau Claire community are similarly impacted by this social unrest happening 6,000-plus miles away.”

Through the documentary, viewers will see the students grow, find their voices and work to create a brighter future, Famule says.

In addition to the three featured students, the documentary also includes UWEC students, faculty and staff who are involved with the African Student Association, which is made up of students who are interested in celebrating and educating others about African cultures.

Famule filmed his documentary from October-December 2020. Since January, he has been editing the film, with much of the editing work being done during his final semester of college. It was challenging to juggle the project along with college and life responsibilities, but worth the effort, he says.

“My goal is that it will promote cultural understanding and give a glimpse into the lives of communities of color in Eau Claire, to ultimately create a more empathetic and socially conscious Eau Claire,” Famule says. “As a visual artist, I want my art to bring change to the world. I believe art can be a tool for social justice and film to be a medium that transcends societal barriers.”

Check out the film’s trailer and learn more about the project at ndanieauclaire.com. 

NDANI EAU CLAIRE SCREENING • 2:30pm • Nov. 6 • Micon Downtown Budget Cinema •
Eau Claire • tickets available at miconcinemas.com