Africa Speaks
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- Addeddate
- 2004-06-16 10:57:31
- Closed captioning
- no
- Color
- b&w
- Director
- Walter Futter
- Identifier
- africa_speaks
- Sound
- sound
- Type
- MovingImage
comment
Reviews
Reviewer:
An African Man
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-
August 23, 2020
Subject: Africa did not speak then, only spoken for.
Subject: Africa did not speak then, only spoken for.
My sympathies go to the actual africans who might stumble onto this film and be disheartened and even infuriated by its narration and its point of view, its biases and dehumanization.
Many will excuse its qualities as a film and its production as a mere 'product of it's time' and even praise those doing the filming for taking the initiative to do so. As to the former excuse, I say, there were many enlightened men and women way before this time, and the non-africans involved in this film definitely epitomize the sort of people whom we'd now make fun of as outdated. And isn't it curious that they themselves say in the film, through the screwhead of a narrator, that they designed the labour force so that they wouldn't talk to each other and strike at the same time? Their evil is unsurpassed I tell you. To the latter excuse, I say, they got more from us Africans than we have any cause to thank them for. And a solemn but necessary reminder, that they came to sensationalize and not to inform, perhaps driven by their own need to make money off of the film, perhaps to boast about having "explored the 'dark and dangerous' continent", perhaps for other accolades and capitalistic gains. Not for our benefit, but to benefit from us. Its depiction of the africans is incidental. I myself could not trust that they haven't tampered with everything and even staged what is supposed to be presumed by us to be a reasonably accurate representation of Western and South Eastern Africans at the time (The Pygmies are near central and west Africa, the Massaii are in Kenya).
This film's place as a historical record is shaky, degrading and lamentable. Its journalistic style is offensive. For instance, I cannot for one second believe that the Massaii men are humming a song which sounds dubbed and more likely to be heard from some fans of a lesser known English club's football chants, rather than the warrior songs which prepare men to hunt a most notorious animal.
I didn't come here only to say this, I was genuinely interested but I was really disappointed by the film and some of the folks in the other reviews seem fixated on other, dare I say, superficial details and animal cruelty, which if anything else is forgivable for its time, I would count first. Some reviewers have said how they'd like the narrator to have been mauled by the brutalized lions in the films. I agree, but I would add all the other white men into that feast as well.
I have said enough to air out my frustration. That said, I believe it is good documentary evidence to show later generations if they should ever doubt the extent of the impact of the colonization and the colonial mindset both during and after the deed. And that may be its most important purpose.
Many will excuse its qualities as a film and its production as a mere 'product of it's time' and even praise those doing the filming for taking the initiative to do so. As to the former excuse, I say, there were many enlightened men and women way before this time, and the non-africans involved in this film definitely epitomize the sort of people whom we'd now make fun of as outdated. And isn't it curious that they themselves say in the film, through the screwhead of a narrator, that they designed the labour force so that they wouldn't talk to each other and strike at the same time? Their evil is unsurpassed I tell you. To the latter excuse, I say, they got more from us Africans than we have any cause to thank them for. And a solemn but necessary reminder, that they came to sensationalize and not to inform, perhaps driven by their own need to make money off of the film, perhaps to boast about having "explored the 'dark and dangerous' continent", perhaps for other accolades and capitalistic gains. Not for our benefit, but to benefit from us. Its depiction of the africans is incidental. I myself could not trust that they haven't tampered with everything and even staged what is supposed to be presumed by us to be a reasonably accurate representation of Western and South Eastern Africans at the time (The Pygmies are near central and west Africa, the Massaii are in Kenya).
This film's place as a historical record is shaky, degrading and lamentable. Its journalistic style is offensive. For instance, I cannot for one second believe that the Massaii men are humming a song which sounds dubbed and more likely to be heard from some fans of a lesser known English club's football chants, rather than the warrior songs which prepare men to hunt a most notorious animal.
I didn't come here only to say this, I was genuinely interested but I was really disappointed by the film and some of the folks in the other reviews seem fixated on other, dare I say, superficial details and animal cruelty, which if anything else is forgivable for its time, I would count first. Some reviewers have said how they'd like the narrator to have been mauled by the brutalized lions in the films. I agree, but I would add all the other white men into that feast as well.
I have said enough to air out my frustration. That said, I believe it is good documentary evidence to show later generations if they should ever doubt the extent of the impact of the colonization and the colonial mindset both during and after the deed. And that may be its most important purpose.
Reviewer:
Spuzz
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
August 12, 2013
Subject: Africa mumbles
Subject: Africa mumbles
Documentary about Africa made in the 30's. Not bad, considering the date, but narration sometimes gets contrived and silly, and the mockups of the filmmakers shooting the footage is obviously fake. Some hunting too.. Oh well.
Reviewer:
Jimmydee60
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favoritefavorite -
May 5, 2007
Subject: Film edited
Subject: Film edited
Why was this film edited ? I seen the film before and scenes of the native being attack were cut. I think it does the film and future generations an injustice as to how dangerous and brutal filming wild life can be. It also changes the whole idea of a documentary if your going to cut and edit from the way things were to how you want to change things to your taste. The native was really killed and eaten by the lions he was not an actor and their were no retakes. As for the the cold narration it was done after the film was processed and a script written so as not to be boring. The original film I would give 5 stars to but when you cut and edit things I can only give it 2.5 because it's only a part of the movie.
Reviewer:
Grom
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 12, 2006
Subject: matter-of-fact to the end
Subject: matter-of-fact to the end
A very educational movie. Lots of interesting information about animals, the Pygmies and the Masai. I presume the information was accurate. A good dose of low-key humour keep a grin on my face. The photography was good. I wondered how many cameras they had. Who was filming the camera man? Did we actually see any footage from the cameraman we observed so often.
There was no overt enthno-centricity. If anything, it was very complimentary towards the Pygmies, the Masai, their cultures and skills.
After their porter was killed by the lion towards the end, I kept watching, waiting for his ressurection. There was such a lack of remorse or grief, and the documentary tone was so unchanged, that I thought it was a false alarm, like a serial that changes the last few minutes of the previous chapter so that the hero is still alive at the beginning of the next chapter.
Definitely recommend this for education, a laugh, and general entertainment.
Grom
There was no overt enthno-centricity. If anything, it was very complimentary towards the Pygmies, the Masai, their cultures and skills.
After their porter was killed by the lion towards the end, I kept watching, waiting for his ressurection. There was such a lack of remorse or grief, and the documentary tone was so unchanged, that I thought it was a false alarm, like a serial that changes the last few minutes of the previous chapter so that the hero is still alive at the beginning of the next chapter.
Definitely recommend this for education, a laugh, and general entertainment.
Grom
Reviewer:
sys64738
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
February 6, 2006
Subject: Correction
Subject: Correction
Correction to Little Nemo:
The white men did not shoot all lions in sight, they shot only one lion.
The natives om the other hand, attacked a lion with their spears, which is much more cruel and painful than using guns.
The white men did not shoot all lions in sight, they shot only one lion.
The natives om the other hand, attacked a lion with their spears, which is much more cruel and painful than using guns.
Reviewer:
LeoF
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
July 19, 2005
Subject: Africa
Subject: Africa
My overall reaction to the film was: WOW! Then I began wondering how much of all of this is still left. I am no expert on Africa (or much else as well) but follow what I come across in the news. In the past year, there have been numerous stories about Pygmies being hunted as food by their neighbors and how their population has dropped to a near extinction level. There are also many serious extinction problems with the animal populations in Africa as well. This film and others like it might, unfortunately, in the not so distant future, be all that is left of a great heritage of the Human Race.
I would generally agree with the previous reviews with one major exception. In all sincerely, there has only be a superficial change in European attitudes towards Africa.
I would generally agree with the previous reviews with one major exception. In all sincerely, there has only be a superficial change in European attitudes towards Africa.
Reviewer:
Little Nemo
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
April 6, 2005
Subject: Sometimes shocking
Subject: Sometimes shocking
A nice piece of history, of both Africa and primitive American attitudes towards it. The narrator, who by the end you will wish had been torn apart by a lion, jokes about how tribal women are property and second-hand ones are sold for 'cut-rate prices!' Worst of all is when the two stupid white men send their native guide to run for some rifles, whereupon he is killed by a lion, whose instinct is to bring down running prey. The white men respond by shooting all the lions in sight. While the human killing might have been faked (though it sure doesn't look like it), the lion killings certainly weren't, so faint of heart watch out. Finally, the locust swarm was INSANE, and you'll need the biiig file to see it properly.
Reviewer:
Christine Hennig
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July 18, 2004
Subject: But the White Men Won't Shut Up!
Subject: But the White Men Won't Shut Up!
This memorable adventure documentary from the early 30s influenced many other films to come. It features a pair of white male documentary filmmakers making their way across Africa, filming the wonders of nature and having many adventures along the way. Because it was made during an unenlightened time, its portrayal of the natives and the way animals are treated are excruciating to watch at times. Particularly upsetting are the way they portray the native tribesÃÂÃÂ treatment of women, but its hard to tell how accurate this is because the whole film is so skewed in its portrayal of natives. Still, the film is pretty entertaining to watch and has lots of action and wonderful scenes of animal life. And its unenlightened perspective makes it a historically interesting snapshot of popular attitudes towards Africa at the time. Many lesser films would be made according to this mold, so its good to see the original.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.
Reviewer:
Kampai
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June 23, 2004
Subject: A 50 minute safari
Subject: A 50 minute safari
Though the narration shows its naivete through banal humor, this 1930 captivating documentary of a 250+ person expedition deep into Africa captures moving, picturesque cultures, wildlife, and unforgiving nature.
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