Friday evening and Saturday afternoon ONE members gathered at theatres in San Francisco and Berkeley for the premiere screening of Youssou N’Dour: I Bring What I Love. The film traces the journey of Senegalese artist Youssou N’Dour touring for his album Egypt. Vasarhelyi’s film highlights the contrast of the acceptance the album receives from Youssou’s home and neighboring countries as compared to western culture.

From the corners of the theatre I watched audiences cry and cheer, re-live and relate to Youssou’s story. After the film, we were privileged with a special Q&A session with Chai Vasarhelyi, Director and Producer of the film. I have included a small piece of video, as Vasarhelyi responds to a question regarding screenings in Senegal.

-Roscoe Mapps