Africa and Hollywood

Just caught up with this interesting post over at the Leo Africanus blog. Leo Africanus recently interviewed Mahen Bonetti, Director of NY's African Film Festival about Hollywood's renewed appetite for Africa.

Here's an excerpt:

"In some ways, it is exciting to see Africa get some recognition on the Hollywood landscape. In other ways, it is important to be critical of the ways in which Africa is depicted and the stories that are told. We must ask, from whose perspectives are these stories being told, and what exactly are these stories themselves saying about the state of Africa today, and her relationship within the international arena? I’m wary of films that do exactly what you mention – use Africa as a “backdrop,” as if the continent were simply a place where western stories happen."

To find out how to get hold of Farafina magazine and read the full interview, click here.