Cameroon Connection (1984) directed by Alphonse Béni

Inspector Baïko investigates the murder of a young woman in Douala, who he discovers has a twin sister. His investigation takes him to France, where he becomes friends with Bruce, owner of a martial arts school in Paris, but also of a beer factory in Cameroon, and who offers to help him in his investigation. .

Alphonse Béni convinces Hong Kong actor Bruce Le (Bruce Strikes Back) to participate in this first African kung-fu film. He even brings the fashion designer Paco Rabanne on board for an appearance. Invisible since its release in theaters and on VHS, Cameroun Connection is a captivating time capsule, directly in touch with life in Douala in the 80s. But Cameroun Connection is also hilarious in spite of itself, with its totally insane dialogues and the skills of 'Alphonse to the tatane, which are very relative to say the least, although he invests himself body and soul. Especially since he has at his side an authentic martial artist, Bruce Le, who does not hold back his blows. A little gem not to be missed, in a beautiful 4K restoration that we have entrusted to the expert care of our friends at Vinegar Syndrome.

Black Ninja (1987) directed by Godfrey Ho

Alvin is an Interpol agent based in Paris, who tracks down a gang of drug traffickers. But he is also a ninja. When his wife is killed by ninjas sent by the drug dealers, he swears to avenge her. He goes to Hong Kong and joins forces with Gordon, also an Interpol Ninja, to face the infamous Rudolph and his evil ninjas.

Alphonse Béni, fan of martial arts films, is totally delighted to play ninjas in front of the camera of the rogue Godfrey Ho. Especially since he teams up with the essential Richard Harrison, pillar of the Nanar if ever there was one. In this priceless film shot in Hong Kong and supposed to take place in France (hence the baguettes which are used to hide drugs), the Gitanes and the bottles of Perrier omnipresent on the screen. Faithful to his principle of “two in one” films, Godfrey Ho generously incorporates fighting scenes from a Taiwanese film. A masterpiece of nanar, presented in a brand new 4K master which will make you discover unsuspected details, such as the tags in very rough French which dot the supposedly Parisian decor: “MARIE PUTAINE” or “LA BAGUETTE EST FULL OF SHIT”. Please also note that to be able to claim citizenship in Nanarland, perfect knowledge of Black Ninja is required.

REGION: FREE

EXTRAS:

Films scanned in 4K from the original negatives

French and Spanish versions for Cameroun Connection, with English subtitles

French version and English version with French subtitles for Black Ninja

Reversible jacket

Supplements:

“Alphonse, Blessed are you”: interview on his career with producer Jean Roke Patoudem (2023), by Régis Autran and Régis Brochier

Meeting with Alphonse Béni in Yaoundé for the screening of Cameroun Connection (2022), 53 minutes

High definition reconstruction of the Black Ninja trailer

A black child (1973) short film by Alphonse Béni, for the first time on video, 20 minutes

Trailers by Alphonse Béni, digitized from the negatives in high definition for this edition