If you take your cinema seriously, you're probably not afraid of exploring films that defy the traditional Hollywood mold. Film lovers have long been aware of the fact that cinema from Europe, Latin America, Oceania and Asia consistently produces beautifully shot stories that pack a punch. However, a film industry that has recently started gaining recognition is that of Africa and you can find out more about the cinematic gems produced by this continent with the variety of African movies for sale.
Contrary to what many people think, Africa is not simply a continent of famine, poverty, war, lions and people who live in mud huts. Cities like Johannesburg and Lagos are vibrant, modern centers of commerce and culture. Not only do they have paved streets and internet, but they are also home to a fast-growing film industry.
In general, African cinema is not as motivated by commercial interests as mainstream Hollywood. This means that film-makers on the continent can tackle themes that may not be comfortable to watch or even to think about. Neocolonialism, racism, slavery, the struggle to survive amidst dire poverty and the clash between tradition and modernity are common subjects for films from what many people still call the Dark Continent.
One of the first films from Africa to garner international recognition was 'La Noire de...' or 'Black Girl'. This 1966 film by Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene tells a tale that is still a favorite subject for film-makers: that of trying to survive in the African Diaspora. It relates the journey of a Senegalese woman who moves to France in search of a better life, only to find that the urban jungles of the First World are tougher to survive in than a wilderness filled with lions and elephants.
Gender and the particular issues that women face are the themes for several films from Africa. An example is 'Neria', made in 1993 in Zimbabwe and telling the story of a widowed woman's struggle. 'Yesterday' shows how a woman deals with the news that her migrant-worker husband gave her AIDS. The Zulu-language film was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004.
'The Silences of the Palace', directed by Tunisia's Moufida Tlatli in 1994, was ground-breaking because it was the first full feature film in the Arab world to be directed by a woman. Tlatli also paved the way for other woman directors from Africa. One of these is Angola's Maria Joao Ganga, whose 'Na Cidade Vazia' or 'Hollow City' from 2004 received several international awards.
Not all cinema from Africa takes itself too seriously. Nollywood produces films at a rate of about 200 a month, making Nigeria's film industry the second biggest in the world, and surpassed only by Bollywood. Some of these films are so bad that they're actually weirdly entertaining. However, gems like Jeta Amata's 'The Amazing Grace' show that the industry has quality to offer.
Africa has also produced some real commercial success stories. One of these is 2009's 'District 9', a sci-fi thriller from South Africa that explored a theme like racism in an entertaining way, becoming the highest-grossing film in the USA when it opened. For this and other African movies for sale, there are several websites that specialize in film from the continent.
Contrary to what many people think, Africa is not simply a continent of famine, poverty, war, lions and people who live in mud huts. Cities like Johannesburg and Lagos are vibrant, modern centers of commerce and culture. Not only do they have paved streets and internet, but they are also home to a fast-growing film industry.
In general, African cinema is not as motivated by commercial interests as mainstream Hollywood. This means that film-makers on the continent can tackle themes that may not be comfortable to watch or even to think about. Neocolonialism, racism, slavery, the struggle to survive amidst dire poverty and the clash between tradition and modernity are common subjects for films from what many people still call the Dark Continent.
One of the first films from Africa to garner international recognition was 'La Noire de...' or 'Black Girl'. This 1966 film by Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene tells a tale that is still a favorite subject for film-makers: that of trying to survive in the African Diaspora. It relates the journey of a Senegalese woman who moves to France in search of a better life, only to find that the urban jungles of the First World are tougher to survive in than a wilderness filled with lions and elephants.
Gender and the particular issues that women face are the themes for several films from Africa. An example is 'Neria', made in 1993 in Zimbabwe and telling the story of a widowed woman's struggle. 'Yesterday' shows how a woman deals with the news that her migrant-worker husband gave her AIDS. The Zulu-language film was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004.
'The Silences of the Palace', directed by Tunisia's Moufida Tlatli in 1994, was ground-breaking because it was the first full feature film in the Arab world to be directed by a woman. Tlatli also paved the way for other woman directors from Africa. One of these is Angola's Maria Joao Ganga, whose 'Na Cidade Vazia' or 'Hollow City' from 2004 received several international awards.
Not all cinema from Africa takes itself too seriously. Nollywood produces films at a rate of about 200 a month, making Nigeria's film industry the second biggest in the world, and surpassed only by Bollywood. Some of these films are so bad that they're actually weirdly entertaining. However, gems like Jeta Amata's 'The Amazing Grace' show that the industry has quality to offer.
Africa has also produced some real commercial success stories. One of these is 2009's 'District 9', a sci-fi thriller from South Africa that explored a theme like racism in an entertaining way, becoming the highest-grossing film in the USA when it opened. For this and other African movies for sale, there are several websites that specialize in film from the continent.
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