The Cinema of Ousmane Sembene, A Pioneer of African Film

(Hardback)

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The films of Ousmane Sembene are powerful representations of the newly emerging black African cinema. In this interpretive study of his most significant films, Francoise Pfaff examines Sembene's pioneering efforts over the last two decades. While focusing primarily on the realistic and symbolic levels of his works, the stylistic and technical aspects are also examined. Pfaff discusses the aesthetic, sociopolitical, and metaphysical values of Sembene's oeuvre within its African context. His depiction of the tension between traditional and modern African life is explored. Pfaff includes film stills and excerpts from interviews with Sembene and other African filmmakers. She concludes with comments about Sembene's contributions to our intercultural heritage.

Reviews

A comprehensive yet accessible introduction to black Africa's foremost filmmaker, Ousmane Sembene. Indeed, Pfaff's work should serve as the standard reference for some time. The author's appraisal of Sembene is unabashedly flattering. Nevertheless, Pfaff's impressive discussion of her subject's genius thoroughly familiarizes the reader with a director and film area too frequently neglected in cinema studies.-Choice
Pfaff's book is a major study of a major and very singular talent of the cinema.-Cahiers du Cinema
"Pfaff's book is a major study of a major and very singular talent of the cinema."-Cahiers du Cinema
"A comprehensive yet accessible introduction to black Africa's foremost filmmaker, Ousmane Sembene. Indeed, Pfaff's work should serve as the standard reference for some time. The author's appraisal of Sembene is unabashedly flattering. Nevertheless, Pfaff's impressive discussion of her subject's genius thoroughly familiarizes the reader with a director and film area too frequently neglected in cinema studies."-Choice

Author Bio

FRANCOISE PFAFF is a Professor of French at Howard University.