Benefits and Limitations of Nationhood in African Cinema

This essay delves into the intricate relationship between nationhood and African cinema, examining how national identity, culture, and societal issues are portrayed and reflected in African films. The essay begins by defining nationhood and its significance in the context of cinema, particularly within the African film industry. It highlights the strong connection between cinema and nationhood, emphasizing how films often depict national cultures, religious beliefs, political landscapes, and social challenges. The essay then focuses on the benefits and limitations of the concept of nationhood in understanding African cinema, with reference to the film 'A Screaming Man'. The analysis includes discussions on the role of cinema in disseminating information, the complexities of African culture, and the influence of print media and modern communication methods. The essay also evaluates historical data, exploring the evolution of African cinema from the colonial era to the present day, and how it has addressed social and political themes. Ultimately, the essay concludes that world cinema is an important way to present the associated issues of nation which communicates all necessary information to whole community.

Essay

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Main body........................................................................................................................................1
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Recently world cinema is one of the contemporary issue for argument and debate. There
are number of filmmaking practices, styles and traditions which are generally used for producing
new films. Nationhood also plays important role in world cinema. It can be defined as a state of
being a nation, large group of people united by common language, economic life and culture, etc
(Chaudhuri, 2014). Nationhood is also known as a face of getting national independence. The
current essay is also based on nationhood and world cinema. Regarding this author has decided
to focus on African cinema and a film name with A Screaming Man. It will discuss benefits and
limitations of the concept of nationhood in helping us to think about African cinema. Along with
this, research will conduct critical analysis of the current subject and complete the evaluation
using the concept of selected film and another film of African cinema.
MAIN BODY
World cinema is known as very powerful culture practice and institutions which shows
national cinemas and issues associated with the nation. So, nationhood and cinema is associated
with the strong relationship. Concept of cinema is based on national culture, religious, political
and social issues. It is one of the common culture on the African cinema (Gadjigo and Silverman,
2015). Song and Hashim, 2014 has concluded that “Nationhood can be defined as a unity of
individuals on the basis of their culture, religious and practices” (Song and Hashim, 2014).
Along with this, Faist, 2012 has asserted that “National cinema’s concept can be analysed on the
basis of textual and industrial” (Faist, 2012). As per this statement it can be said that African
cinema is also based on the concept of industrial and textual. In terms of textual cinema it can be
said that concept os cinema is based on very unique content, style, indigenous aesthetics, etc. But
on the other hand, all those cinema which are based on industrial concept that can be examined
on the basis of production, distribution and exhibition (Ishak, 2015). Therefore, African cinema
also follows the culture and practices of societies which are followed the by the general people of
Africa. Nationhood consists of number of interesting disclosure therefore, cinema which is based
on these disclosure will help in understanding these in effective manner. On the other hand
Cinema deals with symbolism which includes different issues such as construction of meaning,
consciousness and problematic representations. There are number of national problems which
cannot be communicated by regulatory authorities to every citizen without any medium
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(Nationhood power and judicial review: a bridge too far, 2016). In such situation cinema is one
of the best way to circulate important information using appropriate example. Therefore, it is a
best way to make communication with citizen. Along with this, African culture is one of the
complex culture in all over the world. Rest of the world is facing difficulties in understanding
their language, custom and tradition. So, African cinema follows the principles of nationhood
which helps in describing each and every facts of their culture and society which help entire
world in understanding their culture in effective manner (Schopflin and Hosking, 2013).
Burke and Pike, 2014 has concluded that “earlier print capitalism played the important
role in generating ideas of nationhood” (Burke and Pike, 2014). As per this statement, in early
time newspaper, nationalistic novels and other print media were accountable for the formation of
national consciousness. But, this way of communication was not favourable for literate person
they cannot get all information about the national facts. On the other hand, in the modern
scenario, cinema is become the dominant mode of communication and it is playing important
role in conjuring up for both literate and illiterate segment of the community (Wilkinson, 2015).
Ukadike, 2014 has concluded that “topos of national hood is beneficial for understanding
the function of cinema with the concept of social space” (Ukadike, 2014). Nationhood focuses on
different state of country such as economics, production, distribution and exhibition and content
control, etc. in some countries cinema focuses on all these states of nation. So, nationhood is
beneficial for understanding the concepts of different states of nation such as economic stability
of the country, production, distribution and exhibition and control of content, etc (Harrow, 2013).
cinema is one of the important form of entertainment for Africa. Africa, japan and India are three
most important countries in term of cinema whose works have generated international attention.
Therefore are number of examples of movies, films and theatrical programmes. Shaw, 2016 has
stated that “African cinema is based on concept of culture, society and crucial issues which needs
to be focused by government” (Shaw, 2016). These cinema includes the actions which can
resolve these issues in effective manner but due to some other social issues government of nation
cannot take this action in real world. So, through the cinema directors can communicate all
information about the solution of every problem. Therefore, as per this statement nationhood is
beneficial for understanding the cultural issues and problems which can affect the whole society
in negative manner and how the government of nation can resolve these issues in effective way.
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Therefore, nationhood is an important way to understand the concept of African cinema (Cooke,
2016).
Philip, 2016 has asserted that “Nationhood is also beneficial for legislative validation and
developing new legislations” (Philip, 2016). As per this statement it can be realised that there are
number of legislations which are based on nationhood and some of African cinema also
developed movies for promoting awareness of society through their cinema. Nationhood concept
based move attract audience in effective manner which increase the overall sales revenue of
African cinema industry (A Screaming Man – review, 2016).
But, nationhood includes different issues which are not favourable for society and cinema
which are based on such kind of issues can affect the society in negative manner also. Some
African Cinema are based on concept of robbery, murder and other criminal activities so, these
kinds of cinema increases crime in the nation. In contrast, in some criminal cases such kind of
movies increase the motivation of every individual to take appropriate action to resolve the
issues of society. Therefore, nationhood is very beneficial for African cinema (The limits of
everyday nationhood, 2016).
Nationhood concepts based cinema increases the attraction of audience which increase
the profitability of the cinema industry of Africa. Along with this, it also increase the social
development of the nation. There are number of movies which are based on the concept of
nationhood such as A Screaming Man which have a performance of immense dignity from
Youssouf Djaoro as Adam, whose biblical name becomes increasingly appropriate as the film
proceeds (Gadjigo and Silverman, 2015). It is based on the concept of the pointless war which is
become increasing day by day but it is least important. As per this movie war is never viewed in
the direct manner to the audience but it is something happen in indirect manner (Song and
Hashim, 2014). A Screaming Man is a film which is based on the family life and relationship
between fathers and children. It reflects that how generation gap shape and reshape the
relationship. In this movie father and son compete with each other as swimmer. The pool and
revers are the major places which are included in this movie. As per this movie water is a
precious commodity for survival of a human being but it is also considered as a religious element
for spiritual cleansing (Burke and Pike, 2014). Appropriately A screaming man begins and ends
with Adam in the water which has taken on a divine, healing quality in the course of the film.
Therefore, overall, entire movie is based on the family life and relationship between father and
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son. Along with this, it has also reflected the competition between two family members. Along
with this it has also comprised the religious and natural facts about the water. Therefore, it is
based on the concept of society and nature which are important part of nationhood (Schopflin
and Hosking, 2013). Overall, there re number of movies in world cinema which shed lights on
the concept of nationhood and after understanding the nationhood principle each and every one
can understand the concepts of movie in better manner.
African cinema is also known as a production in Africa which uses primary cinematic
technology. Along with this, Nigerian film industry is also one of the largest in Africa which
creates value, number of annual films, revenue and popularity among audience. African cinema
is also known as second largest film industry in all over the world (Chaudhuri, 2014). Evaluation
of historical data has reflected that in the colonial era and at that time movies were based on
exotic land without history or culture. In history Tarzan, The African queen and kind Solomon’s
Mines were known as most popular movie.
Afterwards, post-independence and 1970s Black girl was known as most popular movie.
It showed the despair of an African woman who has to work as a maid in France. In this era
movies were based on politico-economic and cultural development of African states (Ukadike,
2014). Along with this, there were some movie which are also based on the racial discrimination
of Africans in all over the world which increases the attraction of national and international
audience also. Along with this, some of movies were based on the natural beauty of Africa.
These movie plays very important role in attracting tourist which has increased the growth and
development of the nation. Including this, in 1980s and 90s African cinema has also introduced
some movie in English language.
Therefore, it has reflected that African cinema focuses on the social and political themes
rather than any commercial interest (Wilkinson, 2015). Along with this, movies also explore the
conflicts between traditional past and modern scenario of the world. Including this, African
cinema industry also plays important role in employment of the nation which helps in increasing
the economic development of the nation. This industry also focuses on the women and female
based issues. Therefore, African cinema is considered all social and political issue so nation
which play important role in understanding the concept of nationhood also. Therefore, principles
of nationhood also improve the understanding in terms of African cinema (Harrow, 2013).
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CONCLUSION
The current research project has concluded that world cinema is one of the important way
to present the associated issues of nation which communicates all necessary information to
whole community. As per the report nationhood is also known as a unity of people on the basis
of culture, religious and practices. According to the report African cinema is based on some
unique and indigenous subjects. Nationhood concepts is beneficial for resolving issues of nation
and improve the value of culture and religious practices of African society. But, on the other
hand, some nationhood practices are based on criminal activities such as robbery and murder
which increases criminal activities in nation. But, on the other hand such types of movies help in
developing some legislations towards these issues. There are number of movies in African
cinema which are based on nationhood and focus social, cultural and religious development of
the nation.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Burke, A. and Pike, D. L., 2014. Canadian cinema since the 1980s: at the heart of the world.
Chaudhuri, A., 2014. Does World Cinema Really Exist?–Derivations Of World Cinema. Golden
Research Thoughts. 3(12). pp.GRT-4000.
Cooke, P. ed., 2016. World Cinema's' dialogues' with Hollywood. Springer.
Faist, T. ed., 2012. Dual citizenship in Europe: From nationhood to societal integration. Ashgate
Publishing, Ltd..
Gadjigo, S. and Silverman, J., 2015. Sembène!: the inspiring story of the father of African
cinema.
Harrow, K. W., 2013. Trash: African cinema from below. Indiana University Press.
Ishak, I. et.al, 2015. Development of purple sweet potato starch base biodegradable film. Journal
Technology, 77(31).
Philip, S., 2016. Book review: slums on screen: world cinema and the planet of slums by Igor
Krstić. LSE Review of Books.
Schopflin, G. and Hosking, G. eds., 2013. Myths and nationhood. Routledge.
Shaw, D. A., 2016. Transnational Latin American Filmmaking: A New World Cinema. Viva!
Spanish & Latin American Festival 2016.
Song, W. C. and Hashim, R., 2014. A Comparison of contemporary Chinese and American
youth cinemas ‘portraits of young people in school. Journal Panganiban Media
Malaysia. 16(1).
Ukadike, N. F. ed., 2014. Critical Approaches to African cinema discourse.
Wilkinson, C., 2015. Imagining Kyrgyzstan's nationhood and statehood: reactions to the 2010
Osh violence. Nationalities Papers. 43(3). pp.417-436.
Online
A Screaming Man – review. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/may/15/a-screaming-man-haroun-djaoro>.
[Accessed on 25th November 2016].
Nationhood power and judicial review: a bridge too far. 2016. [Online]. Available through: <
http://www.law.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2795585/Nationhood-Power-
and-Judicial-Review.pdf>. [Accessed on 25th November 2016].
The limits of everyday nationhood. 2016. [Online]. Available through: <
http://www.law.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2795585/Nationhood-Power-
and-Judicial-Review.pdf>. [Accessed on 25th November 2016].
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