Black Women in Post-Apartheid Films

A Feminist Exploration

AvGilbert Motsaathebe

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

Del i serien Routledge Contemporary South Africa

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Beskrivning

This book investigates the intersection between race, class and gender in South Africa’s post-apartheid cinema.The book argues that the colonial and apartheid era established a multiform, racist and sexist narrative in the film industry that persisted into the post-apartheid era, with films often struggling to render a nuanced and dynamic representation of Black women. The end of apartheid marked a crucial moment in the history of South Africa’s struggles against all forms of oppression, and it came with a notable shift in film production in the country. This in turn led to increased international recognition, with many films being nominated for prestigious major awards. Considering key films of the period, and drawing on cultural studies, Black feminism, standpoint theory and Gramsci’s theory of hegemony, this book argues that despite these advances, the inequalities and power relations that characterised both the colonial and apartheid eras continued to be reproduced and re-envisioned in post-apartheid South Africa’s movie industry, except for a few discontinuities in some of the films directed by women. Encouraging readers to challenge assumptions about the post-apartheid era, this book will be an important read for researchers of South African media studies, cultural studies, communication studies, and film studies.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-12-10
Mått:156 x 234 x undefined mm
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Routledge Contemporary South Africa
Antal sidor:208
Förlag:Taylor & Francis Ltd
ISBN:9781041293507

Utforska kategorier

Film inom Kultur
Referensverk och tvärvetenskap inom Samhälle och politik
Medievetenskap inom Samhälle och politik

Mer om författaren

Gilbert Motsaathebe is a Full Professor and Deputy Dean of Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Humanities at North-West University, South Africa. He is the Co-Principal Editor of the International Journal of Indigenous Languages, Media and Discourse, and was, until recently, the Editor-in-Chief of Communicare - Journal for Communication Studies in Africa.

Recensioner i media

“Prof Motsaathebe’s book promises to be a timely reminder that the legacies of apartheid are still alive and well. His book is based on many years of immersion in the field of South African media studies. He has shown a consistent sensitivity to media representations of the complex dilemmas of a complex society with a complicated history.”Edwin Hees, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of Stellenbosch."This is a timely, thoughtfully written, and topical exploration of the representation of black women within the South African filmscape. Prof Motsaathebe has provided a unique perspective on a largely understudied area."Nyasha Mboti, Founder of Apartheid Studies and Head of Department of Communication Science, University of the Free State."A timely and insightful work that deepens our understanding of the subject while opening important new avenues for feminist media scholarship, dialogue and practice both in the South African and Global contexts."Gofaone Motsamai, Producer, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Innehållsförteckning

1: Intersection of race, class and gender in South African films 2: Cinematic history in South Africa and periodisation of key films 3: A brief overview of the key films considered in the book 4: Black Feminism and Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa 5: Re)Theorising Black Womanhood in South Africa 6: Representation, Hegemony and Stereotyping of Black Women 7: Broad Interpretation of the films 8: Setting and classification according to genre 9: The main characters, scenes and elements of analysis 10: Directors of the key films and their unique creative style 11: Gendered modes of representation of Black female characters 12: Portrayal of class and status 13: Behavioural characteristics ascribed to Black female characters: A standpoint perspective 14: Dynamic filmic portrayal and global contribution