In the heart of Marrakech, beneath the vast desert sky, an intimate gathering unfolded at Jnane Tamsna on February 9th, 2025. The occasion? A preview screening of Il Faut Un Village, the latest cinematic endeavor by celebrated Nigerian photographer Stephen Tayo. This short film, set against the electrifying backdrop of AFCON 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire, is a meditation on the essence of community, the power of sports, and the dynamic interplay between culture and fashion. Featuring acclaimed Ivorian designer Lafalaise Dion and narrated by esteemed furniture designer Jean-Servais Somian, the film invites viewers to rethink the spaces where art, tradition, and communal spirit intersect.
The Pulse of AFCON, The Soul of Abidjan
AFCON is more than just a football tournament. It is a symphony of colors, voices, and unbridled passion – a moment when cities swell with pride, streets vibrate with music, and strangers become family under the banner of a shared dream. Il Faut Un Village captures this energy, drawing us into the rhythm of Abidjan as both a sporting arena and a cultural powerhouse. Through Tayo’s lens, the city emerges as a living entity, pulsating with creativity and interconnectedness, where fashion and football are inseparable threads in the grand tapestry of identity.
With Morocco set to host the next AFCON in 2025, the decision to screen the film in Marrakech carries poetic significance. It marks a bridge between two host nations, uniting them through a visual narrative that honors the universal nature of sports while paying homage to the distinct cultural imprints of each region.
A Village of Creators
The film’s title, Il Faut Un Village – meaning “It Takes a Village” – nods to an age-old African philosophy: that nothing meaningful is created in isolation. This ethos is the foundation of Lafalaise Dion’s creative practice. Known for her symbolic cowrie-shell adornments that fuse tradition with contemporary expression, Dion speaks to the communal nature of artistic creation:
“This truth lies at the heart of every creative process. Artistic creation is never the work of just one person—it is the result of a collective effort, the fruit of an entire community of passionate individuals. It is a village that brings an artwork to life, just as it takes a village to raise a child.”
Her words remind us that art, like sports, thrives on collaboration. Whether it is the passing of a ball between teammates or the exchange of ideas among artists, the act of creation is an inherently communal endeavor. In a world that often glorifies individualism, Il Faut Un Village serves as a counter-narrative – an affirmation that true innovation is born from shared spaces, collective energies, and the bonds that connect us.
Dion further challenges the capitalist notion of solitary genius, asserting:
“Individualism is merely the smoke of capitalism – an illusion that separates rather than unites. In reality, we are all cells of the same body—one interconnected, interdependent community.”
This perspective, deeply rooted in African heritage, is what makes Il Faut Un Village so poignant. It is not simply a film about football or fashion; it is an invocation to return to what truly matters: connection, unity, and the power of a shared experience.
A Game of Fate: Côte d’Ivoire’s Miraculous AFCON Victory
The beauty of Il Faut Un Village lies in how it merges reality with storytelling. Much like a Netflix sports documentary, it captures Côte d’Ivoire’s breathtaking journey through AFCON 2024—a journey that felt, at times, impossible.
During the group stage, Les Éléphants suffered a devastating 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea, their chances of advancing hanging by a thread. But against all odds, Côte d’Ivoire miraculously secured a spot in the knockout rounds, igniting an unprecedented wave of national euphoria. The streets of Abidjan became stages for impromptu celebrations, where music, dance, and impassioned conversations in multiple languages painted a portrait of a nation that refuses to be defeated.
By blending these real-life events with the creative pulse of Ivorian artistry, the film expands beyond football, capturing the spirit of resilience, pride, and unwavering belief that defines the country.
Where Fashion and Football Collide
Beyond the roar of the stadium, AFCON is also a fashion spectacle. From the bold jerseys that turn into streetwear staples to the spontaneous runway moments in fan-packed streets, football culture and fashion go hand in hand. And Stephen Tayo, with his keen eye for style, brings this to life on screen.
“Given the ongoing global discourse on the intersection of sports and fashion, this documentary seeks to bring that conversation into a local context,” Tayo explains. “It aims to highlight how African communities engage with this dynamic, offering a perspective that challenges and enriches global narratives.”
From the elaborate street styles that emerge on match days to the intimate moments of pride reflected in a supporter’s carefully chosen jersey, the film underscores the sartorial language of sports culture. It is a love letter to the way African communities not only participate in global trends but actively shape them, offering new ways of seeing, celebrating, and existing within the world of sports fashion.
A Call to Rediscover Togetherness
At its core, Il Faut Un Village is more than a film – it is a reminder. A reminder that football is not just a game but a shared experience that transcends borders. A reminder that artistic expression flourishes in collaboration. A reminder that we, as a people, are stronger together.
Lafalaise Dion beautifully encapsulates this sentiment:
“This project is more than a meeting of minds; it is a call to return to what truly matters—to revive the spirit of community, to recognize that creation is not a solitary act but a symphony of voices, visions, and hands shaping something greater than themselves.”
In the end, Côte d’Ivoire did not just win AFCON 2024. The spirit of the nation—the music, the artistry, the people—made that victory feel inevitable.
And that is what Il Faut Un Village so beautifully conveys. The game was played on the pitch, but the true magic happened in the streets, in the ateliers, in the voices of a people who came together in celebration of something much bigger than football.
As the credits rolled in Marrakech, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just a film. It was a testament. A testament to the power of sports, culture, and creativity to unite, inspire, and transform. A reminder that whether on the field, behind the camera, or in the heart of a city in motion—we are all part of the same village.
