Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Questions: Ousmane Sembene's Black Girl and Assensohs' Farewell Salute

How does Sembene portray his anti-colonial and anti-racist ideologies in his 1966 film Black Girl? What does the mask Diouna gifts and then takes back from her French employer symbolize? In an interview in “Dialogues with Critics and Writers,” Sembene states: “In a given situation, there will always be characters who will say no. It would not be accurate to say that a whole people accepted or refused, but I work with types of characters and I am sympathetic with those who refuse. Some things are simply not to be accepted. Human beings reach greatness only to the extent that they refuse these things and assume themselves. In fact, when a human being refuses, he/she takes charge of himself/herself. For what you reject in one place will be conquered elsewhere with your own strength.” In class we spoke about Diouna's suicide. What is your reaction to her refusal?

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