sending...This is one to keep for regular viewing. The “Colonial Film: Moving Images of the British Empire” website has put together information on 6000 films shot during the days of Empire. 150 of these films have been put online for viewing. Links to three of the films and a generic link to the other 147 are below. The aim of the website is in their own words “to allow both colonizers and colonized to understand better the truths of Empire.”
HERE IS THE GOLD COAST
./
Synopsis
A Central Office of Information film outlining the planned development of the Gold Coast over the next ten years. Over footage of a beach, scrolling titles introduce the film. ‘The colonies are the responsibility of the British people’, the titles explain. ‘In the next ten years we plan to spend £120,000,000 on development and welfare. £3,500,000 will go to the Gold Coast. A West African, Augustus Engmann, tells why this is needed’. The West African commentator then outlines a history…A Central Office of Information film outlining the planned development of the Gold Coast over the next ten years. Over footage of a beach, scrolling titles introduce the film. ‘The colonies are the responsibility of the British people’, the titles explain. ‘In the next ten years we plan to spend £120,000,000 on development and welfare. £3,500,000 will go to the Gold Coast. A West African, Augustus Engmann, tells why this is needed’. The West African commentator then outlines a history of the area – ‘You used these forts to defend us against the slave traders’ – and the relationship between the British governor and the Africans who ‘now have the majority in our legislative council’. The film presents Accra as a modern city ‘with African judges, as well as doctors, lawyers and newspaper editors’ – and outlines the work of the town council. It shows local market scenes, a local European-trained midwife, and then highlights the need for more clean water.
View Here
THREE ROADS TO TOMORROW (a 1958 film about three Nigerian students)
.
Synopsis
‘Three Nigerian students from different corners of Nigeria come to Ibadan University. While they sit talking in a dance club, the film traces back each of their journeys to the university. Scenes of their homes give a new impression of an old country, and we come to understand how a modern network of communications – all dependent on oil and petrol – has opened up what was not so long ago inaccessible territory’ (Monthly Film Bulletin, 1961, 14).
Over a map of Nigeria, the British commentator introduces the film. ‘This is a short tale of three long journeys which changed three lives’, he begins. ‘Modern transport and oil power have changed the lives of all Nigeria and that is part of our theme. The rest of our theme is where these journeys lead.’ The film shows young students in a dancing club on the campus of Ibadan University. The commentator then introduces three of these students and recalls their journeys here. First, Reuben, an Ibo. After saying farewell to his father – who runs a motorboat – and friends, he sets off on a BP lorry, and then on a bus, before finally crossing the water and reaching the University. Next is Moyo, a Yoruba, cycling through the streets of Lagos and returning home to say goodbye to his family. He travels by train and on his arrival at the University meets Reuben. Finally, Ado, a Hausa, who invites his new friends to travel by plane to visit his family in the North. Ado’s father is an Emir, and the film shows the traditional festival – the salah – which greets them. The film concludes with further shots of celebration – including a re-enactment by weapon-brandishing horsemen – as these three men, ‘fellow students and fellow citizens of a nation of tomorrow’, smile and laugh together.
View Here.
Members of the ‘Savage South Africa’ troupe at Southampton Docks UK (1899)
.
Synopsis
The film shows a group of Africans (Zulus) in full tribal attire at Southampton docks. They chant and pace forward, performing for the camera. A white man comes forward and with a glance to the camera leads a small group of them forward.
Note: Originally filmed in 68mm. This film was previously identified as being a Kaffir war dance at the Ferari Mines, Johannesburg (!).
View Here.
More Films Here: Colonial Films – Moving images of the Bitish Empire
H/T: Bombasticelement.org
