(Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN)--African cinema is booming. The
continent is awash with creative minds with a flair for storytelling who are
bringing life to local stories and sharing them across the globe -- from
gripping thrillers and intensely-emotional dramas to celebrations of musical
heritage and biopics.
We spoke to seven great female directors from Africa to
ask them what they love most about their work -- and why you should too.
1. They get to dispel myths and tell a different story
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| Nicole Amarteifio |
"The single story of an African woman tends to be
that she's poor, she's struggling, she's a victim. So I wanted to show the
complete opposite of that." Tired of constantly dealing with such
stereotypes and misconceptions, Ghanaian director Nicole Amarteifio decided to
create her popular web
series "An African City," which is often referred to as
Africa's answer to "Sex and the City" -- the show follows five
fabulous women as they return to their native Ghana following several years
living abroad.
"I really do feel like I am part of the
movement," she says. "For me 'An African city' Is not just a TV show,
but it's really trying to do something.
"So when I see all the young people talking online,
talking about the show and talking about issues brought up in the show, that
makes it all worth it. When women come up to me in a restaurant here in the
city and say 'thank you, thank you for showing a different side of the
continent, of our country, of us as African women', that makes it all worth
it."
2. They have been bucking the trend from the start
 |
| Judy Kibinge |
"In Kenya, there seems to be more well known female
directors than in many other parts of the world," says Kenyan director Judy Kibinge who
relishes in a profession she says some may find unconventional.
"From as far back as the 1980s most of our pioneer directors were female;
people like Anne Mungai, Jane Muenene and Njeri Karago, the latter of whom came
back to Kenya after a successful career in Hollywood to kick-start our industry
here."
The 48-year-old
Nairobi-based creative is probably best known for her 2008
documentary "Coming of Age" for which she won the "Best Short
Documentary" category at the Africa Movie Academy Awards the following
year. Then there's her feature-length film "Something Necessary,"
which documented the fictional tale of a husband and wife struggling to rebuild
their world following the elections unrest in 2007. In addition to her writing
and directorial turns, Kibinge has also founded DOCUBOX, the only documentary
film fund in East Africa.
"Many of my films feature very strong Kenyan women
-- not because I am trying to prove a point but because these women are so
reflective of the kinds of women I know and live with and love. I'm able to
present a different picture of an African woman to a world that imagines us to
be beaten or downtrodden when really we are the backbone of this
continent."
3. They prove they are just as good as men
 |
| Tope Oshin Ogun |
Who says women can't do what men can? Certainly not Tope Oshin Ogun, a multiple
award-winning director and producer from Nigeria. The best part of
her job is proving how bad-ass women in the director's chair can be.
"(It) gives me the opportunity to be different and
break boundaries, which is what I like to do," she says. "I like to
do the extraordinary, challenge norms and achieve the seemingly unachievable.
"Directing is seen as a terrain for men. Women are
not supposed to tell other people especially men, what to do. Women are not
supposed to know anything about the highly technical art of directing. Well, I
do! And I'm loving it and not backing down," she says.
4. They look through the camera lens from a different
angle
 |
| Michelle Bello |
Michelle Bello returned from the diaspora
to join the Nollywood engine and has since become a celebrated female
trailblazer in African cinema thanks to her second feature, the multi-award
winning rom-com "Flower Girl" released in 2009. For her,
filmmaking from a different point of view is what drives her passion.
"I love telling African stories from a female
perspective to audiences worldwide," explains the British-Nigerian filmmaker.
"There are very few female directors in our industry which limits our
voice as a whole and that is one of the reasons why I love to support other
female directors across the continent whenever I can."
5. They pioneer fresh perspectives
 |
| Sanaa Hamri |
From being a post-production assistant in LA struggling
to make it as an actress to becoming a successful music video and film
director, Sanaa Hamri has come a long way from her roots in Morocco. Hamri's
strong work ethic has seen her direct several Hollywood films and episodes for
popular TV shows like "Empire" and "Grey's Anatomy." And
that's exactly what she loves about being a female African director.
"I am able to bring an international perspective to
all of my film and TV projects," says the 38-year-old director, who got
her start thanks to singing
superstar Mariah Carey.
"Growing up in Tangier, Morocco, has influenced my
sensibility as a visual artist and a story teller. All people from the African
continent are proud of their heritage and we love putting our countries and
cities on the map. We are leaders and continue to pioneer fresh perspectives in
to all the other countries for the world."
6. They address what needs to change
 |
| Wanuri Kahiu |
While some women revel in being a changemaker in a
traditionally-male dominated industry, others enjoy revealing their roots and
heritage through cinema. That's certainly the case for Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu.
"I love being a director and I love being in Africa. I have worked other
jobs and in other places and I like this work and this place the best,"
she says. "I think what I appreciate most about being a female director in
Africa is that it allows me to be me.
"My job is to create. Make stuff up. How wonderful
is that? Any work that allows and encourages imagination is fantastic. I play
make believe and get to address everything I feel should have been done better
or different through art. How wondrous!"
7. They get to be 'superwomen'
Traditionally, many countries across the world have
maintained a fairly patriarchal society -- Africa has been no exception.
But as women continue to rise through the ranks,
creatives like Chineze Anyaene, co-writer of Nollywood blockbuster
"Ifi," are reveling in their new position as role models for
youngsters.
Anyaene says: "We live in a society were women are
seen as second class citizens or a weaker sex. This perception has also
translated to the film-making world, not just Africa. Directing is not a level
playing field for women.
"Being a female film director in Africa, you are
seen as a 'superwoman.' There's little or no difference between what I can do
and what a male filmmaker can do. I believe we are all human beings with a
drive and mission, and your ability to achieve or complete that mission makes
you unique. In film, I am constantly on a mission to achieve something, and I
don't stop until I get there."
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