This 1996 clip of TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey waxing eloquent on this subject during a panel at the NY African Film Festival (moderated by Manthia Diawara), prompted this brief on an aspect that, as he noted, has been particularly underexplored in African films.
– First, “erotic” is not merely about explicit sexual content, but is a multifaceted exploration of sensuality and desire.
– Historically, eroticism has been relatively scarce in African cinemas, due to the political nature of many films and the cultural contexts within which they were conceived.
– As Bailey explained, consider the influence of conservative or oppressive regimes, religions, or traditions that have curtailed, or even condemned sexual expression or diversity; the impact of colonialism; and differing views on intimacy and privacy in African cultures. A film like “Visages de femmes” (“Faces of Women,” 1985), by Ivorian filmmaker Desiré Ecaré, was especially bold for its time.
– Bailey suggested that while a sexual revolution in African cinema was unlikely to happen soon, and perhaps wasn’t necessary, there were interesting developments in the way African filmmakers were starting to approach the subject.
– His observations are manifesting in the 21st century, which has seen a surge in films by African filmmakers that centralize or significantly feature eroticism, sensuality, and sexuality. A few examples: “Karmen Geï” (dir. Joseph Gaï Ramaka, 2001, Senegal); “Les Saignantes” (dir. Jean-Pierre Bekolo, 2007, Cameroon); and “Rafiki” (dir. Wanuri Kahiu, 2018, Kenya). There are others.
– It’s certainly a complex topic that requires comprehensive, nuanced conversation. Your thoughts on this are invited. Additionally, can you think of other African films that have similarly tackled themes of eroticism, sensuality, and sexuality in a culturally specific context?
Watch Bailey in conversation:
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