Africa in Pictures
A sneak peak behind the scenes of Nollywood.
Commentary
Discussing cellphone filmmaking in Africa
Tutorial
Character development with Oladipo Agboluaje
With Tunde Kelani
Kelani talks about his new film, Arugba.
Film Piracy in Africa
Effects of piracy on the African film industry.
With Emeka Mba
Director of NFVCB speaks on regulation.
On Mark of Uru
A look at an inspiring Nigerian animation.
> Blood Diamond by Edward Zwick
> The African Queen by John Huston
> The Last King of Scotland Poster image
This summer will be remembered in the movie world for the arrest of the pedophile Hollywood director, Roman Polanski as most might expect, but also and perhaps more importantly for the blockbuster science fiction film District 9.
The extent of its success in the US box office ($90 million) and around the world was a huge surprise not least because of its low budget in comparison to other Hollywood sci-fi films but also because of its unpopulist issues of debate.
On District 9
Whilst we all celebrate what a fantastic piece of story telling it was, there has been a huge backlash online from viewers about the films representation of black people.
Nigerians took most offense to how they were named and depicted as degenerate savages who’ll have sex with non-humans and are eager to indulge in cannibalism.
While this is not a direct criticism of what was in fact a good film, hugely successful in its box office takings and in its use of handled camera to create a sense of realism - it is to highlight the need for a change in the media representations of Africans.
District 9 isn’t the first Hollywood film to depict Africans in such negativity and probably would not be the last, a long list of films from the days of silent pictures (King Kong, African Queen, Tarzan) have all indulged in what can only be seen as a popular Hollywood sport.
The african representation in film
While one cannot say with a straight face that Africans are not dealing with some issues which most of the world has found ways to resolve, It is the continual portrayal of African as though they are defined by such negativities, which is of grave concern.
The problem therein is not that such portrayals do not have a basis, rather it’s that those negative stereotypes are unfairly continually recycled and has formed an unchanging singular identity for the continent.
Breaking these stereotypes will be no easy task but it can be done, for what’s at stake is the dignity of a people.
These misconceptions propagated through films are mostly based on ignorance, ignorance of African cultures, of its rich history (pre slavery) and aspirations (post colonialism).
To correct these stereotypes African filmmakers need to play a visible and more proactive role in educating the world through their works, while films alone will not solve the underlining problem of why Africans are portrayed the way they are in foreign films.
It will be a huge step in creating a better understanding of the African sense of self.
> A scene from Neill Blomkamp's blockbuster hit movie, District 9
By Don Omope | Main image from the film, District 9
District 9: Re-articulating the African sense of Self through Film
