FRENCH 331 Desire, Sexuality, and Love in African Francophone Cinema

An exploration of interpersonal relationships within traditional or transgressive couples in African Francophone Cinema. Consideration of various cultural and social backgrounds will frame our discussion of such controversial issues as cliterodectomy, polygamy, and homosexuality.

In this course we will explore societal structures that define, constrain or encourage interpersonal relationships, whether heterosexual, homosexual, polygamous or incestuous. Contentious, loving, humorous, sexual and or platonic interactions will be discussed in terms of memorable relationships represented in African Francophone Cinema. We will discuss how each person is affected by his or her affiliation with the other(s) involved in a given relationship and how these representations can either upset or reinforce cultural and societal structures.

In Nouri Bouzid's "L'Homme de cendres," a young bridegroom, Hachemi, embarks on a journey of personal discovery as his impending marriage brings to light a childhood secret he shares with his friend Farfat. "Dakan" depicts two families trying to find a cure for their children in a relationship we might characterize as homosexual, but which no Malinké term can normalize. "Roses des sables" involves a brother and sister constructing an isolated family unit while dealing with the former's physical disability. In viewing these and other films, we will examine the intimacy and singularity of personal relationships to understand how their formation and development also tell the story of the larger environment to which they are inextricably linked. 

Supplementary readings and documentary clips will provide further background for discussing these relationships.

Films:
A la recherche du mari de ma femme (1993, Maroc; Abderrahman Tazi)
Woubi chéri (1998; Côte d'Ivoire; Phillip Brooks, Laurent Bocahut)
Dakan (1997, Guinée, 1997; Mohamed Camara)
Tilai (1990, Burkina Faso;Idrissa Ouedraogo)
Une femme pour mon fils (1982, Algeria; Ali Ghalem)
Notre fille (1980, Cameroon; Daniel Kamwa)
Roses des sables (1989, Algeria; Mohamed Rachid Benhadj)
Pousse Pousse (1975, Cameroon; Daniel Kamwa)
La saison des hommes (2000,Tunisia; Moufida Tlatli)
Yaaba (1988, Burkina Faso; Idrissa Ouedraogo)
L'arche du désert (1997, Algeria, Mohamed Chouikh)
L'Homme de cendres (1986, Tunisie; Nouri Bouzid)
Le monde à l'endroit (2000, Burkina Faso; Idrissa Ouedraogo)