Directors portray women different depending on their background. American, European and Africa directors each have their own style and view points based on status and race.
But, in their plots, they all banish women to the background.
In the movie, Roots, which takes place when slave trading began, we find that the American director portrays African women as being submissive, loyal and expected to be child bearers.
For example, when Kunta Kinte returns from his initiation to manhood he speaks freely and rudely to his mother and he even reminds her that he does not need her advice as he is now a man. This to me shows that African women are portrayed as subordinates to men, even if that man happens to be their child.
The fact that only African American women are cast to play African women also shows that little faith is placed in the hands of Africans to pull off the African roles, making it harder to correctly reflect African women.
In terms of the movie Roots, the director showed us that African women are not independent and have little influence. However, they do exhibit strength and we see this when Kunta Kinte’s mother is able to give birth under difficult conditions. This depicts African women as being able to make it through tough times without giving up.
Europeans and Americans do not differ much in not making African women the focal characters of their movies. Most of their films star men and African women are always seen as housewives with minimal roles to play and this often makes their roles less significant in the overall plot of the film.
In the example of the movie Mr. Johnson, Mr. Johnson is a black African man who wants to achieve the same success as the white men; he is always running around with his projects and giving his wife little time.
His wife is very ignorant and we see this when Mr. Johnson constantly tells her that they are going to live a good life. This instills the idea that African women are made to believe whatever their husbands tell them and makes their contribution minimal in the plot.
We always see his wife miserable because Mr. Johnson was not giving her enough attention.
This brings about the concept of African women being seen as objects of scorn and humiliation. Mr. Johnson’s wife heads back to her family because her dowry has not been paid making her seem like more of a commodity that has not been fully paid for.
Unfortunately, this is also the case in the movie Zulu. In the opening scene, we see the Zulu girls dancing as part of the initiation ceremony but they never speak and are beholden to male superiority.
In the Last King of Scotland, the wives of Idi Amin possess very little power. They are made to be child bearers and trophies to show Amin’s sexual potency.
I believe this movie illustrated that African women appreciated men who are European. This is highlighted in Idi Amin’s wife’s interest in a Scottish doctor who is made to seem more interesting and appealing.
In our very own Mma Ramotswe, the characterisation of Mma Ramotswe is meant to be a traditional Setswana lady who strives for independence in a male dominated society. Yet, surprisingly, her role was given to American singer Jill Scott whilst the only other serious candidate mentioned for the role was Oprah Winfrey.
Americans and Europeans view African women more as dependent on their male counter parts.
I think African directors and actors, having possibly been involved directly in the subject matter, should reflect the truth.
Women should be able to rewrite their own history.
