Art
Richmond Ekow Barnes
This is the exclusive premiere of Novo Atlantico—a striking new film by Franco-Congolese filmmaker Tansi Makele that reimagines resilience across the Atlantic.
Tansi Makele is a name you’ll want to remember. This Franco-Congolese filmmaker, raised in the suburbs of Paris, has a gift for turning everyday moments into cinematic gold. As a kid, he was hooked on genre films—those wild, atmospheric stories that linger—and the slick, soulful music videos of 1990s African-American R&B. Think Janet Jackson’s iconic visuals directed by Mark Romanek—bold, stylish, unforgettable. That mix shaped him early, sparking a love for storytelling that’s both striking and sincere.
Makele’s work draws deeply from his French and Congolese roots, exploring themes like identity, the Afro-diaspora, and what it means to be young, Black, and searching. He started early—by 19, he was already directing short documentaries about dance, capturing emotion and movement with a sharp, intuitive eye. From there, he dove into post-production, working across fashion films, fiction, and experimental video art. Along the way, he drew inspiration from visionaries like Khalil Joseph, Terrence Malick, and Spike Lee—blending their raw energy and poetic visuals into a style all his own.
His New Film: A Journey Across the Atlantic
Makele’s latest project takes his vision to new heights. Shot in Dakar, Senegal—right across from Gorée Island, a haunting symbol of the transatlantic slave trade—the film isn’t just set there; the location becomes a character in the story. Novo Atlantico bridges Dakar and Brazil, delving into their shared history across the Atlantic Ocean. At its core, it’s a meditation on marronnage—the act of escaping enslavement—and quilombos, the self-sustaining communities founded by Afro-Brazilians, Indigenous people, and others who resisted oppression.
Through stunning, poetic imagery, Makele explores freedom, strength, and the enduring links across the Afro-diaspora. The film’s voice-over features lines from O Navio Negreiro (The Slave Ship), a powerful Brazilian poem by Castro Alves that lays bare the horrors of the slave trade. The words give voice to a legacy that still echoes, tying Makele’s visuals to a deeper historical cry. Each frame pulses with life, holding a mirror to the past while illuminating the present.
Inspiration and Vision
For Makele, this work is deeply personal. His dual heritage gives him a unique vantage point on the Afro-diaspora—its beauty, its pain, and its enduring power. He’s moved by filmmakers who merge truth and beauty: Khalil Joseph’s gritty shorts, Malick’s dreamlike landscapes, Spike Lee’s fearless lens on race and culture. They’ve all shaped his approach—stories that resonate emotionally and visually.
But this isn’t just about history. Makele’s film is a reminder that resistance still matters. That freedom is a continuing story. That community, no matter how fractured, can be reclaimed and reimagined.
Tansi Makele isn’t just making films—he’s building a space where Afro-diasporic voices are heard and felt. Novo Atlantico is a bold step forward: minimal in setup, rich in meaning. It’s a story of escape, memory, and connection that pulls you in—and stays with you. Keep an eye on this filmmaker. He’s just getting started.
