Category: News || By Submitted Report

A new book by an English professor at Penn State's McKeesport campus examines ways that Hollywood films have depicted Africa.

"Hollywood's Africa After 1994" by Mary Ellen Higgins, associate professor of English at Penn State Greater Allegheny, is a result of research funded by a research development grant from Penn State Greater Allegheny in 2007.

"My interest was initially sparked by the release of several films set in Africa after 2000, such as 'Black Hawk Down,' 'Hotel Rwanda,' 'Blood Diamond,' 'The Last King of Scotland,' 'The Constant Gardener,' 'Invictus' and 'District 9,'" Higgins says.

Although many of the films and their actors received awards and positive reviews, Higgins became concerned about the way Africans were being depicted.

Higgins says the book grew out of conversations with people she calls "wonderful scholars" such as Harry Garuba at the University of Cape Town, Bennetta Jules-Rosette at University of California at San Diego, and Margaret Higonnet at the University of Connecticut.

The book provides analyses by academics and activists in the fields of African studies, English, film and media studies, international relations, and sociology across continents. The book is designed as a resource for those who seek new and varied approaches to films about Africa.

"One of the great pleasures in putting together this volume has been working on the topic of Hollywood's Africa with esteemed scholars across disciplines in various countries, especially colleagues who work in African universities," Higgins says.

Higgins hopes to use the book in teaching future courses. She currently is working on another book, this time a single-authored book, titled, "African Cinema and Human Rights." She hopes that people interested in the lives of Africans will see more African films.

(Editor's Note: Written from a press release provided by Linda Curinga, director of marketing and public relations, Penn State Greater Allegheny.)