Representation in the African Film Festival

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the African Film Festival opening. It was really interesting to hear the reactions of some of the viewers after watching the opening film Run. Some remarked that “this is not Africa” and “this is not what we want people to see” in reference to some of the scenes of violence, war and terrorism (in the form of rebel groups) that the film presented.

Their reactions were in contrast to myself and my friend, who saw the film as a fictional story about a young boy, that made reference to some real life events, stories and issues that are present in Cote d’Ivoire where the film is set, and in general the African continent. As a film, Run is a unique story that deals with intense themes, as I’ve found with many African or “International” films, which I think, at least in my opinion, allows for audiences to see individuals/groups of people of colour and different parts of the world represented through this medium, as well as showcasing their talents.

The film also reminded me of the importance of representation, which Suzanne talked about in depth in our Hollywood and others lecture. More and more representation is influencing how I look at films and television shows, which of course is why it was so great for me to see an African director making a film about an African, and more importantly casting Africans to play the characters. Ivorian culture was presented through the languages spoken, the clothing worn and a number of the actors who were Ivorian.

This of course contrasts many of the Hollywood films, we’ve come across in this course, which do not always represent characters, settings and stories accurately, even when attempts have been made. It’s a shame that many of these films and also television shows do not make it to mainstream audiences unless they have a white protagonist or resemble generic Hollywood/Western storytelling that are familiar to Western/mainstream audiences.

I think that context is very important when it comes to analysing films in this way. I don’t believe that Run was meant to showcase a positive representation of Ivorian’s, or Africans as a whole, as Chris Barker argues “so-called “positive images’ fit into assimilationist expectations of white society”, which is what I believe some of the African viewers were wanting to see for themselves or have non-Africans see. I really hope that people did not leave the Film Festival with an idea in their head thinking that the films were an accurate depiction of Africa. Although, with all the perpetuating discourse about African and Africans in mainstream Western media that exist, I wouldn’t be surprised.

The African Film Festival was really a reminder to me the importance of people of colour being able to represent themselves and tell their own stories, whether they are fiction or non-fiction.