African Cinema in the Classroom
One of the best ways I've found to transform my students' understanding of Africa is through its film. This is not film that is about Africa (which can often reinforce the negative or ridiculous stereotypes--it's not all poverty, wars and disease!-- that so many of carry with us), but film made by Africans. I particularly recommend:
*Keita, the Heritage of the Griot, directed by. This film cuts between "ancient" Mali and the story of Sundiata, the lame boy born of the ugly buffalo woman who rose to become the greatest ruler of Mali's ancient empire. the story is being told in the present day to a a young Malian boy and engages with questions about the value and meaning of different types of education, and the traditional and modern modes of life in Mali. Since it is about growing up, it provides a way in for our students and can be revelatory.
*Touki Bouki, This is a sophisticated and visually stunning film made by a Senegalese director in the 70s. The style reminds me of Fellini and the subject explore the same kind of anomie that the French new wave does. It's an advanced film to use with students (I never have, but I know a teacher who uses it in high school), but would also be a real eye-opener.
*Bamako, about the policies of the World Bank and ImF in Mali, poetically presented in front of a mock jury.
*Lumumba, by Raoul Peck, an absorbing (good for students) feature about the rise and hope of the dignified and charismatic leader of the Congo during independence. After his tragic assassination, in which the CIA was involved, the country suffered under dictatorship for the next generation.
*Amandla! a documentary about the role of music in resisting apartheid that explores the sorrow, joy amd why this revolution was largely nonviolent.
*Keita, the Heritage of the Griot, directed by. This film cuts between "ancient" Mali and the story of Sundiata, the lame boy born of the ugly buffalo woman who rose to become the greatest ruler of Mali's ancient empire. the story is being told in the present day to a a young Malian boy and engages with questions about the value and meaning of different types of education, and the traditional and modern modes of life in Mali. Since it is about growing up, it provides a way in for our students and can be revelatory.
*Touki Bouki, This is a sophisticated and visually stunning film made by a Senegalese director in the 70s. The style reminds me of Fellini and the subject explore the same kind of anomie that the French new wave does. It's an advanced film to use with students (I never have, but I know a teacher who uses it in high school), but would also be a real eye-opener.
*Bamako, about the policies of the World Bank and ImF in Mali, poetically presented in front of a mock jury.
*Lumumba, by Raoul Peck, an absorbing (good for students) feature about the rise and hope of the dignified and charismatic leader of the Congo during independence. After his tragic assassination, in which the CIA was involved, the country suffered under dictatorship for the next generation.
*Amandla! a documentary about the role of music in resisting apartheid that explores the sorrow, joy amd why this revolution was largely nonviolent.
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Permalink Reply by Jeana Rock on
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Thanks for the suggestions, Kate. It has been hard to find authentic African films. I have seen several made by white Africans, but they don't work for me in my instruction since I focus on non-English, non-Anglo voices.
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Goble on
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Also see this post in World Lit!
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