1. African Cinematography: Colonial Film to Nollywood Lecture 1
Derek Barker

2. Course Description
The proposed course will trace the genealogy of African cinematography from colonial times through to the present day. The history of African film is traditionally said to begin 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.

3. Course Description
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.

4. Goals
To gain a broad overview of the history and developments in African cinematography
To understand the regional differences in production and consumption of African cinematography
To obtain an in-depth understanding of the current film industry in Africa

5. Lecture and Exam Dates
Lecture 1: March 8 Lecture 2: March 15 Lecture 3: March 22 Lecture 4: April 12 Lecture 5: April 19 Lecture 6: April 26 - CONSOLIDATION Lecture 7: May 17

6. Lecture and Exam Dates
Lecture 8: May 24 Lecture 9: May 31 Lecture 10: June 7 Lecture 11: June 14 Lecture 12: June 21 CONSOLIDATION Lecture 13: Exam (28 June 2013): Written Exam

7. List of films Western Africa Ousmane Sembene (Senegal) – Xala (1975)
Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad) – Dry Season (2006)
Abderrahmane Sissako (Mauritania) – Bamako (2006) [set in Mali]
Eastern Africa
Haile Gerima (Ethiopia) – Teza (2009)
David Gitonga (Kenya) – Nairobi Half Life (2012)

8. List of films Nollywood (Nigeria) Tony Muonagor – Holygans (1999)
Kingsley Ogoro – Osuofia in London, Part 1 (2003) and Part 2 (2004)
Central Africa
Djo Munga (DRC) – Viva Riva (2010)
Southern Africa
Gavin Hood (South Africa) – Tsotsi (2005)
Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe) – Everyone’s Child (1996)

9. Mandatory Course material
Barlet, Olivier. Africultures Dossier „Five Decades of African Film“ (four essays)
10 film viewings
Lecture notes (1-5) + Lecture presentations +
Other (non-mandatory) material

10. Film view: Xala directed by Sembene Ousmane
Pre-screening questions
What makes an African film truly an authentic African film?
Does Xala meet your criteria for authenticity?
Is the film political?
Is the intended audience white?
Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?