Returning the Colonial Gaze

2 — 30 May 2018

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.

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