Center for African Area Studies (CAAS), Kyoto University and African Studies Centre, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (ASC - TUFS) will jointly hold the 7th KU-TUFS Seminar on November 22, 2018.

◆Speaker: Dr. Gairoonisa Paleker
(Lecturer, University of Pretoria; Visiting Professor, ASC-TUFS)

◆Time & Date: Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 3:00pm - 5:00pm

◆Venue: Conference Room I (#330), 3rd Floor, Inamori Foundation Building, Kyoto University

◆Title:
Ethnic film in South Africa: history, meaning and change

◆Abstract:
This paper provides an overview of ethnic films in South Africa. It traces the historical development of 'national' and 'ethnic' cinema in the context of apartheid where creative and financial control of filmmaking was controlled by the state and white individuals who acted as surrogates of the state. The paper interrogates the extent to which the 'ethnic film' category can be applied to film productions that represented an inauthentic African worldview, culture and tradition. It further argues that the categories of national and ethnic have shifted since the democratic elections of 1994 and in the post-1994 context, sectors of the Afrikaans-language film industry have now moved to the margins in what can be described as an 'inward migration'. In the process, these films have become decentred and detached from the 'national' industry and are now arguably the new 'ethnic' cinema in South Africa.

◆Jointly sponsored by Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University and African Studies Centre - Tokyo University of Foreign Studies