Ep 13. New Boundaries: World Cinema in Africa, Asia & Latin America

In this episode of The Story of Film: An Odyssey, titled "New Boundaries: World Cinema in Africa, Asia & Latin America," the focus is on how filmmakers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America have been pushing the boundaries of cinema and telling their own stories.

The episode begins by discussing the impact of the French New Wave on world cinema. Filmmakers in other countries were inspired by the rule-breaking techniques of directors like Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut, and began experimenting with their own films.

One of the first filmmakers to emerge from postcolonial Africa was Ousmane Sembène from Senegal. His film, Black Girl, tells the story of a young woman who moves from Senegal to France to work for a white family and is mistreated. Sembène used the film to explore themes of racism and identity, and is considered a groundbreaking figure in African Cinema.

The episode also explores the work of Satyajit Ray, an Indian filmmaker who won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1955 for his debut film, Pather Panchali. Ray used his films to showcase Indian culture and highlight the struggles of the working class. He was praised for his ability to capture the daily life of his characters in a realistic and empathetic way.

The episode then moves on to discuss Latin American cinema, which was heavily influenced by the political turmoil in the region during the 1960s and 70s. Filmmakers like Glauber Rocha from Brazil and Tomás Gutiérrez Alea from Cuba used their films to critique the political and social structures of their countries. Rocha's film, Black God, White Devil, tells the story of a poor farmer who becomes a bandit, and is an allegory for the violent struggle for power in Brazil at the time.

The episode also touches on the emergence of independent cinema in the United States during the 1960s. Filmmakers like John Cassavetes and Shirley Clarke used low budgets and handheld cameras to create intimate portraits of everyday people. The episode highlights Clarke's film, Portrait of Jason, which is a raw and unfiltered portrait of a gay black man living in New York City.

The episode concludes by discussing the influence of world cinema on Hollywood. Filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese have been heavily influenced by the rule-breaking techniques of filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard and the gritty realism of independent filmmakers like John Cassavetes. The episode argues that without the trailblazing work of filmmakers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Hollywood would not be the same.

Overall, "New Boundaries: World Cinema in Africa, Asia & Latin America" is a fascinating look at how filmmakers from around the world have been pushing the boundaries of cinema and telling their own stories. From Ousmane Sembène in postcolonial Africa to Shirley Clarke in 1960s New York, these filmmakers have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema and continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers today.