SFIFF55: The Double Steps

A brilliant and completely original feature from Spanish director Isaki Lacuesta uses the life of French painter Francois Augieras, who painted his own 'sistine chapel' in a bunker in the Mali desert and then concealed it under sand, as a jumping off point to explore themes of identity, legend and visual representation.  It is poetic, non-linear, charming, funny, and beautiful, and its characterization of modern Africa is completely sympathetic.  It's easy to see why it took grand prize at last year's San Sebastian Festival.