Documentary film analysis

This week you have a number of films to choose from, including my favorite for the semester! Please as always remember to apply concepts from the readings to the issues and ideas presented in the film. You should apply at least 3 concepts from the readings to the film. If you need a reminder, the film analysis directions are here: Documentary film analysis
Let’s take a look at Sub-Saharan Africa! For this assignment I have chosen films that focus on culture, development, and foreign aid. Choose ONE of the following films for your analysis this week.
Behind the Blue Veil
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is an inside look into the Tuareg people, challenges to their future, and the impact of global politics in the Sahara desert.
Africa’s Great Civilizations
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is an excellent series on historical kingdoms of Africa by Harvard historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. Here is the link to all six of the episodes. You can pick one to watch from the series. You might find yourself watching more than one because they are so interesting!
South Africa, the Post-Apartheid Generation
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follows the path of five young people as they navigate changing cultural and political geographies in South Africa.
God loves Uganda
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is a critical look at American religious influence in anti-gay laws in Uganda and local responses to this influence.
The Africa-China connection: A Thriving Business Partnership
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examines African migration to China, which is quickly replacing migration to the US or Europe.
The Himbas are Shooting
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is a documentary film made by a group of Himba people in Namibia. Tired of having their life and culture represented by others, this Himba community decided to make their own documentary of cultural traditions. *This is one of my favorite films of the semester.
Land Rush: How do you Feed the World
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examines an American sugar cane farming project in Mali and the complex issues around land, ownership, development, and globalization.
Stealing Africa: How much Profit is Fair
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is a look at copper mining in Zambia and the links to the global economy. The films asks why Zambia remains so poor while it has such rich resources.
Africa Today: Voyage of the Continents
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examines plate tectonics of the continent and what the future of Africa’s physical geography might be.
La Pirogue is not a documentary, but a film made by Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Toure. The film (in French with English subtitles) follows Senegalese migrants deciding to take small boats across the ocean to Europe. Available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k13ZSqVPY8E
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Documentary film analysis
Documentary films are an excellent resource for learning about the world. Each week, there are a number of films for you to explore, from social issues to contemporary debates, from historical curiosities to natural wonders. You pick the film you want to watch, and then follow this outline for your film analysis.
Your analysis should be 5 paragraphs long. You will NOT be writing a summary of the film, but instead a reflection and analysis. The first paragraph should be a general reflection on what you thought of the film, followed by an analysis of key terms in the book that relate to the film. Here is what is expected in each paragraph of your original posting:
Paragraph 1: General thoughts on the film. In this paragraph, state what film you watched and why. What did you like about the film, what did you not like about the film?
Paragraph 2: Key term 1 from the reading that applies to the film. Look over the chapter in the textbook that corresponds with the film’s regional focus (Latin America, Russian Domain, Oceania, etc) and find 3 terms or themes that relate to the issues presented in the film. How do you see this key term reflected in the film? How does the film relate to the term as presented in the book? For example, in South Asia you may watch a film about the garment industry in Bangladesh and relate the film to discussions in the book on gender, poverty, and population growth. In this paragraph, you will choose one of these terms and explain its relevance to the film. Make sure to use bold text to indicate the key term or theme being discussed.
Paragraph 3: Key term 2 from the reading that applies to the film. In this paragraph, you will choose a 2nd term from your list of terms that relate to the film to examine. State which key term you are discussing in this paragraph, make sure to use bold text, and explain how the term relates to the film.
Paragraph 4: Key term 4 from the reading that applies to the film. In this paragraph, you will choose a 3rd and final term from your list of terms that relate to the film to examine. State which key term you are discussing in this paragraph, make sure to use bold text, and explain how the term relates to the film.
Paragraph 5: connections, new ideas, globalization, and big take aways. In this paragraph, you will discuss the major lessons you learned from the film, how ideas in the film are connected to your own life and/or experiences, or how this film helped you understand the topic in new ways.
Each paragraph is worth 5 points.

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