Browsing by Subject "African Cinema"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Depictions of Queer female characters in contemporary South African documentary film
    (2014) Luttig, Clarien; Botha, Martin
    This dissertation investigates representations of Black South African lesbians in contemporary local documentary films. In order to do so, the author focuses on two films: Breaking out of the Box (dir. Zethu Matebeni and S’bu Kheswa, 2011) and Difficult Love (dir. Zanele Muholi and Peter Goldsmid, 2010). These films are analysed in the light of a number of questions regarding the depiction of Queer Black women, including: the frequency and qualities of such representations, in which kinds of films such identities are represented, which techniques such films utilise, and which themes are addressed. One issue addressed in both films is the matter of so-called “corrective” rape and this dissertation examines the complexity of depicting this specific theme. Because the subject matter is related to a number of distinct yet intersecting subjects, resources from a variety of fields are utilised – including, but not limited to, Queer theory in general and research on Queer Film specifically, documentary film theory, and historical studies of South African cinema. The films are analysed within the context of the socio-political environments in which they were created as well as in relation to theoretical contexts relating to representation in film and other media. Findings indicate that the representation of Black South African lesbians has grown in recent local documentary films. A significant portion of these films utilise personal approaches to documentary filmmaking, which proves particularly suitable for depicting the sensitive and personal nature of the subject matter. The films challenge prevailing beliefs about homosexuality within the African context and defy notions of essentialism in favour of highlighting diversity. Juxtaposed with the growth in documentary film representation, Queer female representation in local fiction film is negligible. Depictions of Queer male identities are comparatively more widespread, yet even these still tend to rely on negative or onedimensional stereotypes. On a more encouraging note, there appears to be an increase in representation of Queer Black South African documentary filmmakers, which constitutes an increase in the variety of voices represented in a previously limited (and limiting) film industry. These filmmakers’ work also opens interesting questions around representation and selfrepresentation.
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    Film and national culture in Namibia: a study and analysis of how the films 100 Bucks and Try have contributed to the creation of post-colonial identity and national culture in independent Namibia
    (2016) Katjavivi, Perivi John; Botha Martin
    I wish to present a study of the different literature regarding national culture, African cinema and postcolonial identity and explore how it relates to local cinema in Namibia. How have Namibian films contributed to this debate? The films 100 Bucks and Try contributed to the creation of postcolonial identity and national culture in independent Namibia. This dissertation will focus primarily on the aesthetics, themes and stories produced in Namibia since 2000 as well as how our storytelling and funding models can learn from other industries throughout the world. I will undertake an examination of past works and writings on the topic of national culture in post colonial African states, nationalism and African identity.
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    Gender identities and roles : the representation of women and children in South African films about HIV and AIDS
    (2014) Mdege, Norita; Botha, Martin
    This dissertation examines representations of women and children in South African films about HIV and AIDS, paying particular attention to issues relating to the advancement and empowerment of the two groups. The dissertation focuses on two films: Yesterday (Darrell Roodt, 2004) and Life Above All (Oliver Schmitz, 2010). These two films represent marginalised communities and identities. Yesterday focuses on the experiences of rural women, while Life Above All focuses on women and children living in a small town on the urban periphery. In order to contextualise the two films as well as the textual and theoretical analysis found in the body of the dissertation, the first chapter provides a brief outline of some of the concerns regarding the representations of women and children in South African films about HIV and AIDS. These concerns include the debate surrounding the authenticity of the representations of poor, black women by male, middle-class, white filmmakers, as well as the authenticity of the representations of children by adult filmmakers. Chapter 2 provides additional contextual information by defining and considering the various concepts and theories on which the study is built. These include the naturalist, humanist and pluralist methods of representing HIV/AIDS, as well as the semiotic and discursive approaches to analysing audio-visual texts. Chapter 3 consists of a close textual analysis of Yesterday. The chapter problematises representations that place too much emphasis on marginal communities‘ need for external help. It argues that the film‘s focus on generating sympathy from external viewers with the 2 hope that they might be persuaded to help women like the film‘s main character, Yesterday, hinders the promotion of empowerment. Chapter 4 critically analyses the representation of children in Life Above All, with special attention paid to self-development and agency. This chapter argues that the film neglects children‘s self-development and long-term empowerment by placing too much value on the virtues of selfless sacrifice. Chapter 5 concludes that the use of stereotypes and the prioritisation of easy to understand educational information and narratives in South African films about HIV/AIDS hinder a deeper understanding of identities as well as the promotion of women‘s and children‘s empowerment. Effective collaboration between filmmakers and the represented groups would lead to representations of identities that are more truthful to the complexities of the experiences of those infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. In addition, I argue that increased participation of female filmmakers would lead to more diversified representations of women‘s and children‘s identities and experiences.
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    The Question of Genre Classification in the Drama Series “Ubizo: The Calling (2007)”
    (2022) Mjoli, Zingisa Noluvuyo; Modisane, Litheko
    The paper argues that the South African television series, Ubizo: The Calling (d/Krijay Govender, 2007) blends elements of psychological thrillers, horrors as well as the gothic genre. The relationship of these subgenres is discussed in this paper in the context of the African spiritual practice of divine calling that is narrated by the series. The paper concludes that genre classification in this series is left unclear, whether it is horror or psychological thriller as suggested by its producers. For most parts of the series, horror conventions can be identified from the way the characters are set to the types of props and iconographies, as well as the set design and shot sizes of most scenes. Towards the end of the series, however, it changes focus thematically to fit a category that cannot be confined to one genre type. The effort of this research is to present concerns about the way in which some African spiritual practices are likened to sorcery due to the obsession with madness and ghosts. I used Indigenous Knowledge Systems together with genre analysis to arrive at my findings which were important in shedding light to the fact that some genres become less effective when they have been ideologically moved to other cultures. Upon on embarking on this research, I wanted to arrive at the certainty that western borrowed genres were bastardising African practices using foreign jargon and visuality to depict African spirituality. Indeed, the research was constructed in a manner that it simply wanted to confirm something that I, the author desperately wanted to believe. However, my own work has challenged me to acknowledge that these two can coexist.