Exploring nature and environmental conservation through nature and wildlife films in Southern Africa

Ramutsindela, Thihangwi

Exploring nature and environmental conservation through nature and wildlife films in Southern Africa

Thesis / Dissertation

2024

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Centre for Film and Media Studies

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The legacy of colonialism and apartheid not only shaped ideologies around who was considered superior and inferior, it ultimately shaped our understanding of both people and their relationship to the natural landscape. This paper aims to explore how this history has influenced the presentation of environmental landscapes and species through nature and wildlife documentary films. This paper draws on unique examples focusing mainly on exploring wildlife and species representation within Southern Africa. This paper offers a unique position by delving deeper into various conservation models and exploring films that may draw on understandings from those models. The concluding chapter of this paper will focus on more recent works which have begun shifting the narrative around species and conservation as well as explore new forms of representation on screen. This paper does not by any means suggest that there is a more suitable model when it comes to conservation but rather allows the reader to gain a greater understanding as to how these models may also shape and influence the visual imagery and narratives that are presented in such films. Through this thesis, the reader will gain a fresh perspective regarding the underlying complexities present within nature and wildlife documentaries

Keywords

Film and Media Studies

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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