Contemporary Cinema of Africa and the Diaspora

Focusing on examples of Africa’s indigenous and diasporic cinema, this volume constellates the subject anew through thematic, transnational and trans–disciplinary perspectives. The author enlarges our understanding of the subject by surveying films that are “African” not simply through their content, their locations, or the nationality of their auteurs, but through the very processes by which they affect and engage their viewers. Exploring art house as well as commercial cinema productions, this student–friendly text identifies and probes the different techniques that create what can be called an “African” filmic experience. Through examples of key movies from across the continent and beyond – Anglophone, Francophone or Lusophone realms – the author theorizes interpretations of African cinema that move beyond the thematic commonalities of modernity and development.  The volume also charts the rise of a new generation of African film makers in light of the recent death of star auteur Sembene Ousmane, and includes commentaries on issues ranging from urbanization to women’s issues and racial identity.

Chapter 1 Introduction; Contemporary Cinema of Africa and the Diaspora: Parameters and Contexts PART I: SPACE Chapter 2 Walking in the City: Education of the Spectator in Harrikrisna Anenden′s La Cathédrale Chapter 3 Framing the City: Africanizing Viewer and Viewed through Angle, Distance, Genre, and Movement PART II: CHARACTER Chapter 4 Models of African Femininity Chapter 5 African Masculinity: “We Don’t Need Another Hero”  / Relentless Return of the Allegory Chapter 6 Revolutionary Personhood: Revolutionize the Spectator, or Stop, Thief! PART III: NARRATIVE Chapter 7 Documentary Film: Situating a Style Chapter 8 African Narration: Narration of Africa Chapter 9 Jean–Marie Teno: Creating an African Repertoire Chapter 10 Conclusion: Inside/Outside or How to Make a Film About Africa Today Glossary Works Cited Index

Anjali Prabhu is Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Wellesley College, USA, where she also teaches in the Cinema and Media Studies Program. The author of Hybridity: Limits, Transformations, Prospects (2007), she has published widely in journals such as Cinema Journal , International Journal of French and Francophone Studies , Levinas Studies , Journal of French and Francophone Philosophy , Diacitics , Studies in Twentieth and Twenty–first Century Literatures , Présence Francophone , and Comparative Literature Studies .