The Winds of African Cinema

This article argues for a departure from theories of new cinema "waves" and proposes the notion of cinema "winds" as a more compelling conceptual framework for studies of African film movements. Building on the work of Ng͡gĩ wa Thiong'o, Manthia Diawara, Ken Harrow, and Nwachukwu Frank Ukadike, in addition to commentaries by various African film directors, this article looks at various dimensions of global visibility and the elusive movements of African cinemas. It also explores how African directors challenge habits of seeing and interpreting world cinema.