An investigation into nationalism and national allegory within South African post-apartheid film

[摘要] AbstractThe aim of this research paper is to investigate the allegorical and national qualities presentwithin South African post-apartheid cinema. Through the production of a satirical short film,an analysis of key texts by Frederic Jameson and Aijaz Ahmad, as well as a comparativebreakdown of French and Australian national cinema, these topics will be explored andunpacked. The South African film environment establishes itself as one dominated byinternationally produced films and one that utilises indigenous cultural aspects in order tocompete against this dominance. This study identifies the specific techniques employed bySouth African filmmakers and highlights the successes and pitfalls of doing so. By examiningthe film careers of Darrell Roodt and producer Anant Singh, this paper identifies SouthAfrican cinema as one with a focus on international goals, aspirations and audiences, while itneglects its own local audience and development. This research then proposes ways in whichto resolve this problem by drawing on examples from other national cinemas.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand