Returning the Colonial Gaze

With a focus on Francophone African and French cinema, we present work by bold filmmakers that reverses the ‘colonial gaze’ and interrogates the former occupying nation from new perspectives.

This five-part season focuses on the relationship between French and Francophone African cinema and includes work by Moroccan, Mauritanian, Senegalese and Nigerien directors from the 50s through to the 70s.

After years of simply being represented or 'spoken for' by Western directors, these African filmmakers asserted the right to represent themselves and reclaimed control of their own images. Their 'coming to voice' was a disruption, and an act of liberation.

This season is part of our 2018 season The Art of Change, which explores how the arts respond to, reflect and potentially effect change in the social and political landscape.

Events

Event

Cinema

Returning the Colonial Gaze: Soleil O (18*)

Past event

Wed 2 May 2018, 20:45

One of the first films depicting the experience of migrating from the African continent to France, this is a key work of postcolonial cinema.

Event

Cinema

Afrique 50 + To Be 20 in the Aurès (18*)

Past event

Wed 9 May 2018, 20:45

This double bill presents two famous anti-colonial films by French activist filmmaker René Vautier, the self-described 'most censored director in France'.

Event

Cinema

Afrique sur Seine + Little by Little (15*)

Past event

Tue 15 May 2018, 18:15

In the films in this double-bill black Africans, not white Europeans, are the explorers and the country being 'discovered' is France.

Event

Cinema

Si Moh, The Unlucky Man + The East Wind (18*)

Past event

Wed 23 May 2018, 18:30

Moroccan Moumen Smihi takes up the challenge to imagine a new language for cinema, one truly expressive of local culture, not an imitation of Western models.

Event

Cinema

An Adventurer’s Homecoming + Touki-Bouki (18*)

Past event

Wed 30 May 2018, 20:45

A hilarious double-bill parodying the Western and Easy Rider, these two films dramatise the impact of Western culture on the African continent.

Discover

Screen Notes: Returning the Colonial Gaze

We spoke to our cinema curator Tamara Anderson to guide you through the films that make up this innovative and provocative season, Returning the Colonial Gaze and share our recommendations of what else you should be watching.

Saved events

Log in

Returning the Colonial Gaze

Visit our Gallery for free

Events

Returning the Colonial Gaze: Soleil O (18*)

Afrique 50 + To Be 20 in the Aurès (18*)

Afrique sur Seine + Little by Little (15*)

Si Moh, The Unlucky Man + The East Wind (18*)

An Adventurer’s Homecoming + Touki-Bouki (18*)

Discover

Subscribe to our newsletters

Contact the Box office

How was your experience?

Membership

Contact the Business Events team

+44 (0)20 7382 7043

Young Barbican

Contact the BIE team

Want to make a group booking?

Contact lost property

Parking enquiries

Bonfire reservations

020 7382 6180

Osteria reservations

020 7588 3008

Supporting the Barbican

Working at the Barbican

Press enquiry

Something else