Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange Season 11 Episode 5 Short Films

Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange is an American documentary series that sheds light on the modern African arts and cultural experience in the diaspora. In season 11, episode 5 titled Short Films, the show explores the art of short films in the African film industry. The episode showcases three short films from some of the most talented filmmakers in the African continent.

The first short film featured is JOKO- A Social Commentary, directed by Francois Knoetze from South Africa. The film explores the lives of waste pickers in Johannesburg, who rummage through the city's vast landfill sites to find recyclable materials. The documentary looks at a day in the life of these informal workers, who are at the bottom of the city's social hierarchy, but are also integral to the city's efficient functioning. The film shows how these informal waste pickers are an essential cog in the city's wheel, playing a vital role in keeping the city clean and functioning. Knoetze's film underscores the invisible lives of waste pickers, who are often dismissed as undesirable and 'unskilled'. It is a powerful piece of social commentary that raises awareness about workers who are often ignored or undervalued in society.

The second film in the showcase is Black Barbie a short film by Comfort Arthur, a Ghanaian director. The film is an exploration of colorism in Ghana and the skewed beauty standards that enforce light skin as the ideal. The film tells the story of a young girl, Mma, who is obsessed with having light skin and acquiring all the attributes of the 'perfect' girl. Mma is treated cruelly by her classmates and even her own mother, who favors Mma's lighter-skinned sister over her. As Mma's obsession with being light-skinned deepens, she falls into a dangerous trap of skin bleaching, which almost costs her life. Black Barbie is a powerful film that critiques both the beauty industry's colorism and society's prejudices towards darker-skinned individuals. Arthur's film highlights how a society's beauty standards can have significant mental and physical implications for those who do not fit within it.

The third and final short film showcased in the episode is in a gaze, directed by Owolabi Oluwaseun. The film tells a story of two friends, Tunde and Ayodele, who are in love with the same girl, Lola. As Lola struggles to choose between the two friends, they both embark on a journey of self-discovery, and what they find is more than they bargained for. In a gaze, explores themes of masculinity, friendship, and love with a uniquely African perspective. Oluwaseun's film is a refreshing take on the romantic drama genre, with a well-articulated storyline, beautiful cinematography, and stand-out performances from the actors.

Overall, Short Films is a great showcase of contemporary African cinema, bringing together three unique films that tackle significant social issues with insight and sensitivity. Each of the films is distinct, powerful, and challenges audiences to question their perceptions of society. The show Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange seeks to provide a platform for the African cultural experience, and in this episode, it does an excellent job of highlighting the multiplicity of voices and stories that are coming out of the African continent.