Abstract: | This special issue of 'Critical Arts' is devoted to African cinema. Keyan G. Tomaselli discusses theoretical perspectives on some unresolved questions, including questions of geography and identity. David Kerr provides a historical analysis of colonial film policy and practice in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi). N. Frank Ukadike presents an overview of African cinema by tracing some of its vital trends and manifestations both as responses to the dominant (American, European) film practices, and as expressions of national cultures, politics and aspirations. Keyan G. Tomaselli also addresses the question: Can and should a white film director make a film reflecting the 'black' experience? Examples are films on Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko (South Africa). Finally, Gary G. Mersham explores South African contemporary discourses contesting the site of 'Zulu identity' during the middle to late 1980s in the context of political developments in that period. An analysis of the 'Shaka Zulu' TV series forms a central thread. The issue further includes review essays on film in Africa. |