African Cinema expresses cultural identity. It is a search for a visual presence, a representative voice or idiom, a specific style and a way to overcome the limitations of the status quo. Most of the countries in post-colonial Africa are only recently gaining traction in film as an industry within the last 30 years, in terms of autonomous and independent film. Governments are recognizing the counterprogramming potential, the social, educational, development/investment and economic role that film can play. This course identifies a selection of films by key African filmmakers. But with specific focus on budding film industries in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
Although we live in an era when a world of content is just a click away, it is still very difficult to access films outside of the Hollywood mainframe, especially those from other cultures. This course introduces students to important Africa films and key African directors from various locations across the African continent and the African Diaspora across the globe.
This course will be focused on revealing the most important efforts in film development on the African continent. It provides a barometer for contrast, not only in the methods of film production and distribution used in low budget industries, but the stories told and the exepreince lived which are revealed in film.
Sprituality and faith are resounding topics in African film. Many follow western religions and other present impressions of indigenous spiritualism and tribal religious practices. This course provide a context in which to understand some of the contrasts between Western and indigenous belief systems.
Cinema expresses culture and often we learn how we are similar and different. Students will examine the wasy the rest of the world looks and thinks through media and film.
Film as a tool of education and visualization enhances the goal of this course, to open students up to understanding alternate perspectives and divergent cultural outlooks in a world where religion has harmed and has healed. Understanding helps to communicate appropriately and to frame messages from the perspective of the audience.
Spirituality and faith are resounding topics in African film. Many in the developing world follow western religions and others adhere to traditional indigenous spiritualism and tribal religious practices. This course provides a context in which to understand some of the contrasts between Western and indigenous belief systems.
Powder and money influence the acceptance of film in developing countries. In some instances African filmmakers struggle to get their films made and then to get them seen. Audiences, are apathetic, and seem to more readily accept film from American and European markets, than supporting local screening initiatives, why is this?
For avid consumers of world culture, film and travel is a vehicle. It is amazing what we can learn about a people, a country, a culture using film. One unique aspect of film is that the filmmaker can only reproduce what he or she has seen, has felt. Even fantasy is based on experiential tenets of a filmmaker's reality. This aspect of film will be discussed with the students.
