Afrique
, je Te Plumerai, dir. Jean-Marie Teno
- This documentary of Cameroon's oppressive political realities opens with the 1990 publication of a letter to their president. The narration then examines the nation's colonial history. It captures the desires and frustrations of ordinary Africans themselves, a viewpoint rarely bothered with in Hollywood version of Africa (see Black Hawk Down, The Ghost and the Darkness, or Tears of the Sun) This film contains some graphic political violence.
Amistad,
dir. Steven Spielberg
- This Spielberg classic is about a slave mutiny onboard a ship that is traveling towards America from western Africa. Much of the story revolves around the trial of the slave who led the revolt. The key scene in terms of this unit is in the middle of the film, as the lead character reflects on his capture and voyage to the “land of opportunity”.
Cry Freedom
, dir. Richard Attenborough
- The story of Stephen Biko’s life and death is told in this movie. It is based on the book
Biko
by South African journalist and anti-Apartheid activist Donald Woods. Woods is the other lead character in the film. It has been praised as courageous. It has been criticized for whitewashing Apartheid and failing in its mission. The students can decide. While telling Biko’s story, the film demonstrates the power that the white Afrikaners had over the native black Africans and it chronicles another legacy of slavery, colonialism, and imperialism.
Blackhawk Down
, dir. Ridley Scott
- This film tells the story of an attack on U.S. troops in Somalia by Somali soldiers and mobs of civilians. Although the film is incredible to watch and very exciting, it has flaws. Its major flaw is what should be focused on in terms of this unit. Its treatment of Africa is misleading and neglectful. It can provide the class with a perfect example of Hollywood’s version of Africa.
The Ghost and the Darkness
, dir. Stephen Hopkins
- The land of Africa is beautifully portrayed in this film based on a true story of man-eating-lions that terrorize the people. These people are white imperialists who are trying to build a bridge and become rich. This film’s can be best used as an example of the dismissive attitude towards Africans themselves, who are barely represented in the film. Also the film hardly mentions the notion that maybe these imperialist should not be there. This is another good example of Hollywood’s Africa.
Lumumba
, dir. Raoul Peck
- Lumumba is the story of the rise to power and assassination of the leader of the independent Congo, Patrice Lumumba. Raoul Peck tells an emotional story of the dedicated and tireless leader with a flair for public speaking. The film excellently capture the desire of an African leader who believes in his people’s ability to govern themselves and thrive free of their former Belgium colonizers.
Sankofa
, dir. Haile Gerima
- This is an African film about the slave experience from the point of view of a self-absorbed twentieth-century African model. In it, she is transported back to the days of slavery where she has become a house slave on a Louisiana plantation. As a slave, she slowly realizes the importance of resistance to slavery. She eventually returns to Africa more interested in her African heritage than the photo shoot she was whisked away from. This film is a great tool to teach the Atlantic slave trade from an African point of view.
Sia
, dir. Dani Kouyate
- This beautiful film from the Hollywood of Africa - Burkina Faso - portrays the politics of a mythical pre-slavery African kingdom. It is an excellent film to show students the color and splendor of the African landscape and also the workings of an ancient African society.
The Patriot
, dir. Roland Emmerich
- Although the primary focus of this film is on a southern planter’s role in the American War for Independence, it glosses over the place slavery had in this man’s life. When slaves are shown they are often presented as content and almost as employees or peers instead of slaves. This film is a typical glossing over of the slavery issue that has plagued American history, historiography, and film for many years. Excerpts from this film can be shown as a stark contrast to a film like
Sankofa
or
Amistad
.
Yeelen,
dir. Souleymane Cisse
- This is a mythical tale of an ancient time. It tells the story of the Dogon and Peulh and the cosmology surrounding their culture. The films purpose in this unit is to show the geography of the Sahel. There are many long, sweeping shots of the Sahel as the characters carry out the plot.
