On first glance, I noticed two things.
One, as an African American, I have alot of problems with "Warrior Marks".
Not to get into a long discussion of it here, but I question its
perspective in "speaking for" African women. Alice Walker may be a
wonderful writer and person, but she does not necessarily understand all of
the issues she purports to address in this film. Though technically much
"rougher" I would recommend "Fire Eyes" by Soraya Mire, a Somalian woman
filmmaker who endured(s) female genital mutilation.
To add to the list:
Hyenas - Mambety available from Cal. Newsreel
Comments: I know this is a wonderful film, but I am always amazed at how
well all my students respond to this film. Provokes interesting
discussions on contemporary African society, folklore, gender roles and
relationships.
Ceddo - Sembene, available from New Yorker
Comments: I know that this film is long, and sometimes I don't screen the
whole thing in class; but this is one of the best films that illustrate the
tension between Islam, the slave trade and traditional African cultures.
Comment on one from list:
Sankofa - Gerima, available from Mypheduh
Comments: To be blunt: This is a hard film for students. White students
think it's "too angry". It is a very emotional film for Black students
(many folks including myself often weep with and at all or some of the
film). Very hard to discuss immediately after screening. BEST ADVICE:
Prepare students before you screen this one. You'll get great, thought
provoking discussions if you put historical events into context when
showing this film. A good companion piece is Zajota and the Boogie Spirit
by Ayoka Chenzira.
>Originally from: <owner-african-cinema-conference@xc.org>
>Originally dated: Wed, 22 Oct 97 08:28:00 PDT
>
>cross posted from owner-h-afrlitcine
>
> From: David Wiley <wiley@pilot.msu.edu>
>
> The African Studies Center Michigan State will hold a workshop on "African
> Film and Videotape in the Arts and Humanities Curriculum" on November
6-8,
> 1997. A second workshop in March, 1998 will concern "African Film and
> Videotape for Language Instruction" (French, Port., African languages,
> etc.).
>
> As we assemble film descriptions and reviews for the workshop, we are
> wondering what cinema and video programs others in the teaching community
> are using for introducing Africa.
>
> More specifically, what cinema, films, and videos are most useful in
> courses to illustrate:
>
> 1) African History and Folklore
> - pre-colonial (kingdoms, segmentary lineage societies, etc.)
> - colonial (British, French, Portuguese, German, and settler)
> - contemporary African history
> - Africa in global history
>
> 2) African and Comparative Literature - in English, French, Portuguese,
> Arabic, other
>
> 3) African Music - "traditional" and contemporary
>
> 4) African Arts - all genres
>
> 5) African Religion and Philosophy - "African religions," Christianity,
> Islam, Independency, etc.
>
> When you mention a film or cinema production, say what you find it most
> useful to illustrate as well as any weaknesses.
>
> We are planning to reference the following African cinema, but will share
> any other ideas from your comments with those at the workshop.
>
> _Camera d'Afrique_ _Sankofa_
> _In Darkest Hollywood_ _Asientos_
> _La Vie Est Belle_ _Camp de Thiaroye_
> _Warrior Marks_ _Wend Kuuni_
> _Women with Open Eyes_ _Yaaba_
> _These Hands_ _Yeelen_
> _Monday's Girls_ _Keita_
> _Selbe_ _Quatier Mozart_
> _Finzan_ _Aristotle's Plot_
> _Emitai_ _Last Angel of History_
> _Battle of Algiers_ _Handsworth Songs_
> _Sambizange_ _Touki Bouki_
> _Deluge_ _Allah Tontou_
> _Harvest: 3,000 Years_ _Lumumba_
>
> Conference Details
>
> The Center will welcome faculty, K-12 teachers, and graduate students to
> the workshop. It is designed to strengthen and improve undergraduate
> instruction by providing college & university faculty with methods and
> strategies for incorporating high quality film and video on Africa into
> courses in the arts and humanities. Anyone interested in attending the
> workshop should contact John Metzler <metzler@pilot.msu. edu> or Carmela
> Garritano <garritan@pilot.msu.edu> at the Center, (517) 353-1700.
>
> We look forward to your suggestions, and we shall credit your
>contributions.
>
> Sincerely,
> Dave Wiley, John Metzler
>
> ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
>
> David Wiley, Professor of Sociology and
> Director, African Studies Center,
> 100 CIP, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1035
> Phone ( Area 517): 353-1700 - Fax: 432-1209 - Home: 332-0333
--
Zeinabu irene Davis
Associate Professor
Northwestern University
Department of Radio-TV-Film
1905 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208-2270
E-mail: z-davis@nwu.edu
Phone: 847-467-1164
Fax: 847-467-2389
In-Reply-To: 199710231441.HAA18038@abraham.xc.org