At long last, I have tabulated the many thoughtful suggestions on the topic
of African Political Films. Some were films were recommended more than
once, others not. I want to extend my appreciation to the kind individuals
who sent in good suggestions and descriptions. I have tried to be faithful
to the contributions and the descriptions that accompanied them. If in the
process of compiling I scrambled some names, numbers etc please let me know
and I will send out corrections. If there are other films that were left
off and need to be added I will be happy to post a supplemental list.
Special commendations go to the following who not only
provided numerous
excellent suggestions but also excellent summations and
descriptions as
well: Christoph Marx, Carol Summers, Don Larsson
The Editors
AFRIQUE, JE TE PLUMERAI: A documentary about post-colonial memory and
national identity.
ALLAH TANTOU: a remarkable documentary about the director's father-singer,
actor, diplomat, and victim of state torture and repression.
BAB-EL-OUED CITY: In North Africa, Merzak Allouache portrays the rise of
Islamic fundamentalism in Algeria, and other countries in North Africa.
His film is available from Arab Film Distribution at 206-547-4687.
CAMP DE THIAROYE: A film based on a historical incident. Directed by
Sembene Ousmane. Distributed by New Yorker Films
212-247-6110
CEDDO: A quite complex film in its wide range of targets. Directed by
Sembene Ousmane. Distributed by New Yorker Films
212-247-6110
DESTINY: Youssef Chahine looks at the sources and consequences of
fundamentalism in his period piece, dramatizing the life of medieval
philosopher and Aristotle interpreter, Averroes. The film is available
through Leisure Time at 212-267-4501.
FINYE: Was very critical of the Moussa Traore regime in Mali. Directed by
Souleymane Cisse.
FLAME: The story of a young woman who joins the guerillas in the 1970s. It
shows all the horrors of the war, but also the situation of women among the
guerilla fighters and how they were expected to retreat into their
submissive role after the end of the war. There was a lot of discussion
about it in Zimbabwe, especially because the director of the film is a white
English woman. But as I learned from a former guerilla (female) it gives a
rather realistic picture of the war.
GARBAGE BOYS: Criticizes the hopelessness in the country due to
mismanagement. Directed by Cheikh Omar Sissoko.
GUELWAAR: Maybe the most concise example of Sembene's critique of
contemporary African problems. Directed by Sembene Ousmane. Distributed
by New Yorker Films 212-247-6110
GUIMBA: Deals with political dictatorship. Directed by Cheikh Omar Sissoko.
HYENAS: An allegory about debt and identity, Adapted from Durenmatt's THE
VISIT by the Late Diop Djibril Mambety.
I HAVE A PROBLEM, MADAM: A film about Ugandan women and
law, and one of the best films I know for exploring both the problems women
face, and the strategic mobilization that African women are leading to
address the problems. I like this film because it highlights a variety
of voices, demonstrates African Women's voices and ideas, and generally
provokes extremely energetic discussion.
LE DAMIER: Is a satire of absolute power in many countries
in Africa by
Congolese director Balufu Bakupa Kanyinda. Distributed by
ArtMattan
production at 212--749-6020
LUMIERE BLANCHE: Directed by Med Hondo. Distributed by Haile Gerima.
MAPANTSULA: A South African film, which was shot in
Johannesburg under the very eyes of
the South African security police in the 1980s. It is the story of a
criminal who becomes incidentally involved in the political turmoil. This
film, without being in a simplistic way politically pedagogic, shows how
this man slowly develops an political awareness. In my opinion it is much
better than "Cry freedom" or "A dry white season".
MORTU GOMES: Directed by Flora Gomes.
NASSER 56: Mohammed Fadel makes a biopic of president Gamal Abdel Nasser by
looking at Nasser during the historic events that led to the nationalization
of the Suez canal in 1956. The film is also available through Arab film
distribution.
NERIA: A film about a young widow in post-colonial Zimbabwe and the
problems she has to face from relatives who literally rob her of her
children and the means to survive. In the end she succeeds through the
courts. It is a film made for a Zimbabwean audience in order to show
Zimbabwean women that they have legal rights. All three films are not
"political" in the strict sense of the term, but they give interesting
insights in the problems of the societies of Southern Africa during the time
of white minority rule and after.
QUARTIER MOZART: an investigation of sexual politics in
postcolonial Africa
SARRAOUNIA: Directed by Med Hondo. Distributed by Haile Gerima.
THE BLUE EYES OF YONTA: Looks at the disillusionment in
Guinea-Bissau in
the post-independence war era. Directed by Flora Gomes
THOMAS SANKARA: Is about the slain Burkinabe revolutionary
president. By
Congolese director Balufu Bakupa Kanyinda. Distributed by
ArtMattan
production at 212--749-6020
VALENTINA'S NIGHTMARE: (Frontline) This 50 minute documentary is the
single best film I've seen on the Rwandan genocide. It's graphic. I use
class time for it as I don't feel I can make students watch it by
themselves. But it's a surprisingly successful blending of both a personal
approach (focusing on one survivor and one massacre) and a more general
analysis and discussion which provides context.
VOICES OF REASON: It deals with the current border conflict between Ethiopia
and Eritrea and consists of interviews with people living in the border
towns being disputed. It also interviews Eritreans who have been deported
from Ethiopia, and includes interviews with President Isaias Afwerki and
other Eritrean officials. The video was made by Eritreans, so there may be a
political slant. The Red Sea Press is probably either carrying it or knows
where you can find it.
WAATI: is the director examination of the apartheid system and an essay on
the Pan African idea. Directed by Souleymane Cisse.
WORLD BANK: THE GREAT EXPERIMENT (PART I & 2): This is a fascinating
documentary on structural adjustment in Uganda. I'm impressed by the way it
provides insight into not just the problems, but the processes of
negotiation. It's not your best film for social analysis. But if you are
interested in exploring the ways in which African governments and
institutions negotiate with international organizations, it's excellent. I
make students watch it outside of class time, though, as it's too long. The
first part can stand alone if necessary. I also plan to use it in
conjunction with recent news reports out of Uganda.
XALA: A savage satire of a corrupt bureaucrat. Directed by Sembene Ousmane.
Distributed by New Yorker Films 212-247-6110.
YEELEN: An allegory about political dictatorship. Directed by Souleymane
Cisse.
ZAN BOKO: the growth of the city, the use of media and their effects on
village dwellers.
--- You are currently subscribed to african-cinema-conference as: [africa-film@webmeet.mit.edu] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-african-cinema-conference-73905K@XC.Org
In-Reply-To: 199901251050_MC2-67E8-11BA@compuserve.com