African Quote by Jihan El-Tahri
“African cinema doesn't have an African industry at all and that's where our problem arises. We come to all of these initiatives with a lot of suspicion because we're so inhabited by the notion of being colonized, the post-colonial thought that someone wants us to do something that is their interest and not ours and even it's not true, there's the suspicion of it like where is this going?”
About This Quote
Source Documentary: "African Cinema: Dreams and Realities", 2020
African film lacks a cohesive industry due to historical colonization and lingering distrust of external initiatives.
In simple terms: African movies struggle because of past colonization and current suspicion of outsiders.
Key Takeaway
Build trust and infrastructure within African film communities.
Themes
colonial legacy
industry development
trust
cultural identity
economics
Mood
reflective
strategic
hopeful
Type
industry analysis
cultural critique
solution‑focused
When to use this quote
- film festivals
- grant applications
- regional collaborations
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
post‑colonial theory
development economics
media production
Questions to Reflect On
- How can African filmmakers attract sustainable funding?
- What steps foster genuine collaboration?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming distrust requires time and transparent partnerships.
