Movie reviews

AFRYKAMERA

BATTLEDREAM CHRONICLES (2018)

Recommended. Sci-fi animation based on a fascinating concept which could be conceived probably only by a black person. In Western game dystopias people typically compete in deadly rivalry for financial gain, here they are all slaves who hanker to liberate themselves. "Maze Runner", "Hunger Games" were the same genre. But here the gamers are all black. The slave owners/game controllers look Asian instead. The slaves speak a range of accents. Under constant surveillance, they are made compete against one another. Touch (of other slaves) moves them to a different reality, out of the system, they gain temporary autonomy. It's just like colonialism - slaves had no history or understanding of the present. Modern visuals often give an illusion of 3D. Sadly it's a pilot with no continuation. 

OPAL

Recommended. This cartoon fantasy about child abuse demonstrates African inspirations, e.g. black magic, the shape of the spirit. Though speaking with Caribbean accent, characters bear Swahili names: Jeraha (Injury), Huzuni (Sadness), Hofu (Fear), Aibu (Shame), Hatia (Guilt), Chuki (Hatred), Hasira (Anger). Iroko is a tree worshipped in Yoruba. In the film, Iroko speaks creole which renders it cross-cultural. The outfits are inspired by ancient Egypt and modern Africa but the girls have flashlights which constitutes afrofuturism exactly: magic, mythical creatures and technology. The film consists of 3 parts: Superego, Ego, Id. Superego means internalised values, social control. The Superego sign appears on the wall of the princess' parents' chamber. There's a narwhal tusk on father's forehead - the horn has neurons - here: conveys magic. But the tusk first appears phallic and implies a rape.The ending reveals the full meaning of the palace and kingdom story. Visually the animation is stunning. A confection of colours. Matching futuro-magical music. 

KOLO FILOZOFII POSTKOLONIALNEJ ON ALAIN BIDARD'S ANIMATIONS

While I wrote the above reviews after discussing the films with the club, I need to add some information coming from them exclusively: Egypt and Yoruba are very common in afrofuturism since those are the most commonly known African cultures, other rich cultures are obscure.