This course focuses on cinematic productions made by African filmmakers and shot in Africa. We will critically examine the stakes of a "pan-African" approach to the study of African cinema. We will focus on the way contemporary African filmmakers use innovative experiments in the cinematic medium to create a dynamic and provocative dialogue with important aspects of African reality: on one hand, urbanization, migration, religious extremism, economic disparity, patriarchy; on the other, strong collectivities, indigenous solutions, gender fluidity, traditional and modern environmental awareness. We will follow how the video boom of the 80s and 90s that established Nollywood of Nigeria and Gollywood of Ghana consolidated a robust and faithful spectatorship in Africa and amongst the vast African diaspora. Through the study of specific techniques, we will track the ambition of contemporary African filmmakers to create and expand African cinematic aesthetics, target world audiences, and sustain a local spectatorship.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 18

Prerequisites: None.

Instructor: Prabhu

Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video

Typical Periods Offered: Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes: