Film Number

7502

Title

A CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN CULTURE: CHALLENGING NEO-COLONIALISM

Producer

WFA

Date

1983

Gauge

U-matic LB

Colour

colour

Sound

sound

Running Time

62 mins 10 secs

Description

An edited version of the sixth session of a 10 week Celebration of African Culture, held at WFA Media and Cultural Centre in Manchester between February and May 1983. Gus John introduces Ngugi Wa Thiongo, who then speaks about the importance of Osman Sembene as a film-maker and how well he captures the paradoxes of imperialism - comparable to the pagan idol who only drinks the nectar (blood) of slain slaves - i.e. barbarism - and the deprivation of other people. He elaborates upon the various manifestations of this paradox - political, cultural, economic - in the context of the Kenyan experience and his own in working with people's theatres in Kenyan countryside and their suppression by post colonial government who basically perceive the world in their master's image. Talks about various elements of Kenyan history. Footage interspersed with audience shots. Ngugi talks about the ridiculous notion that western colonialism had any benefits for Africa. Gives example about how Africans were persuaded to believe that they should be grateful to be robbed.

[Catalogued as part of 'Revitalising the Regions' a Screen Heritage UK project, 2011]