Africa Debased?

[PolarBear]

[size=2]After seeing The Interpreter I once again thought of the disadvantage several modern film productions are placing Africa’s global image at. I enjoyed the film but can’t help wonder about the continental image that must be forming in the mind of filmgoers outside Africa. Maybe it would be more understandable to first consider a few big feature films that has shaped or changed the way we look at other countries/continents. Films do not go about deliberately promoting the countries in which they are produced but nonetheless convey certain images, positive or negative, about the countries they portray. I think the relatively recent string of feature films surrounding the numerous atrocities in various African countries has definitely damaged the global image of the entire African continent. Consider movies like Black Hawk Down, Tears of the Sun and recently, The Interpreter. Although excellent movies in their own right, we have reason to be concerned. Many African countries heavily rely on tourism and the impact of a film specifically focussed on one country can be substantial. This is evident if we look at the incredible positive boost that Kenya received in their tourism industry the year following the release of the film, Out of Africa. There is definitely a growing need for the production of films utilising African culture and scenery as a positive backdrop for films viewed worldwide.

[Joovilhar]

To be honest, you will always have ignorant people. Someone who really cares about visiting a destination will check out the facts before they go. To be honest, the only reason I have for visiting Africa is family; as far as tourism is concerned, I get better value for money in Europe, where a weekend break is far more practical. In my industry, it's very hard to get weeks off work (most IT employers wouldn't keep someone who wanted to disappear for 3+ weeks) - and it's hard to justify a visit to Africa unless you give yourself enough time.

[Pulp]

The film industry has shattered the name of our beautiful continent Africa and scarred it in the minds of millions by portraying Africa as a set back, third world continent where the people are intellectually behind. We need to make movies that show the world how well off Africa truly is, how diverse yet economically stable it is, how smart the people truly are. Even if this does not portray reality or truth we need to send an image of wealth and prosperity throughout the world. The film industry is a huge market and I believe we as Africans need to learn to use it as a base for creating a new name,image and vision for Africa.

[yellowdanger]

You wanna lie to the world so they'll think Africa is better off than it really is? That's messed up!

[PolarBear]

All films and photographs have only a limited capacity to convey elements such as the cultures, locations and people featured in the productions. We also don't go to the movies to watch documentaries about the deeper meaning and social understanding of the background culture or countries. It is however extremely unfortunate that so many African countries, nameless to most living outside Africa, now fall under the generalized image created through several film productions. What grieves me the most is the lack of our own film industries here in Africa to take the responsibility on themselves to consider the implications? Our own productions repeatedly attempt to extract sensationalism from our blighted past. Here in South Africa the cruelty exhibited during apartheid, as well as racial tension themes, still feature in local productions time after time after time. No country outside Africa will, or should have to, make it their business promoting and conveying the positive truthful image of Africa.

[Pulp]

The truth about the film industry is that it is a lie. Movies all lie about events that have occured, how it occured and why it occured. The perfect example is the movie U571. The truth about the actual event and what really happend is quite shocking compared to what Hollywood made us believe. However, to look at the film industry as a lie is not correct for it is an entertainment platform. People want to be entertained and the truth is seldom entertaining. Africa has not used its movies to entertain the world or even portray the truth but to display issues and situations that bore people to death. Lying in the film industry to make Africa seem better than it is has been done by Hollywood to make America seem better ever since the first Hollywood movie. This is not wrong and Africa should do the same.

[liza81]

Do you guys know eachother? You have amazinglyt similar views.

I think that movies out of africa needs to turn away from the usual political stuff we get and turn to specific genres. A few romantic comedies or the like would be great. It would appeal to the world market and pump much needed money into the economy of the country that made it.