140359 VO African Cinematography: Colonial Film to Nollywood (2013S)

The proposed course will trace the genealogy of African cinematography from colonial times through to the present day. The history of African film began in the 1960s with the independence of the colonies. This course will focus on post-1960s film making in Africa, but will provide an overview of colonial film and the roots of film production in Africa In spite of political and economic difficulties, a great many films have been made since then and the pace of production is ever increasing. Almost always political, anti-colonial themes dominated at the start while today themes range very widely. Context, conditions of production and patterns of consumption will be presented to gain a deeper understanding of the specificities of African cinematography. The course will present African film regionally, chronologically and comparatively.

Lecture 1: Introduction (March 8): Overview of the course, requirements for exam, required reading, introductory overview of African film
Lecture 2: Culture and Imperialism (March 15): Contexts of production and consumption
Lecture 3: Ousmane Sembène: Father of African Cinema (March 22): Close study of the work of the 'founding father' of African cinema, Ousmane Sembene.
Lecture 4: Northern Africa I (April 12): Overview of Northern African cinematography
Lecture 5: Northern Africa II (April 19): continued
Lecture 6: Eastern and Central Africa I (April 26): Overview of Eastern and Central African cinematography
Lecture 7: Eastern and Central Africa II (May 17): continued
Lecture 8: Western Africa I (May 24): Overview of Western African cinematography
Lecture 9: Western Africa II (May 31): continued
Lecture 10: Southern Africa (June 7): Overview of South African cinematography
Lecture 11: West Africa (June 14): continued
Lecture 12: Consolidation (June 21): Comparative overview and assessment of the narrative strategies the authors’ novels as responses to - and interventions in - the given political contexts, summary of main points of all lectures; requirements for exam.
Lecture 13: Exam (June 28): Written Exam