Trash : African cinema from below /

This book is a work of erudition, understanding, engagement, and enthusiastic commitment to African cinema studies and literature. It is a treasure trove for those seeking reviews of a generation of famous productions endorsed by FESPACO (the biannual Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou)--for example, La nuit de la verite, Hyenas, Bamako, Karmen Gei, and Xala--as well as Nollywood jewels such as Osuofia in London. Nor do Fela Kuti's musical lyrics--what Harrow (English, Michigan State Univ.) defines as the "satiric hybrid minstrelsy" of songs such as "Gentleman"--escape the gaze of this doyen of literary and cinematic critique. This text is rich in references and literary and cinematic terminologies, concepts, and insights. Hidden within this universe is another ambivalent world, where infected needles, trash, and people seem to be one, leading potentially, no doubt inadvertently, to the reinforcement of unsavory stereotypes, and some of the forbidden epithets of old. The introduction to the text sets the stage for such an encounter. But this flash of ambivalence and negativity is inundated and overwhelmed by copious and generous doses of exciting, scholarly, and profound discourse that enrich African and Africana studies. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty. G. Emeagwali Central Connecticut State University