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

Returning the Colonial Gaze: Soleil O (18*)

Past event

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.

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

Past event

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'.

Afrique sur Seine + Little by Little (15*)

Past event

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.

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

Past event

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.

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

Past event

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.

Returning the Colonial Gaze

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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

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