Identity Border Crossings In Films About Africa: An Analysis Of Hotel Rwanda, Shooting Dogs And Sometimes In April

Abstract

Identity Border Crossings in films about Africa: An analysis of Hotel Rwanda, Shooting Dogs and Sometimes in April concerns itself with the analysis of ethnonationalist constructions in film. The main purpose of this study is to underscore that identity is a contested construct told by many narratives. However, some characters constantly experience border crossings to manage their competing identities which highlight the porousness of identity borders. The significance of this studyis that it is interdisciplinary and contributes literature to the fields of film, Literature, Ethnic studies, Political science, among other disciplines. In addition, whilemost studies on films about Rwandan genocide have highlighted the role of film directors in misrepresenting the actual genocide hence exacerbating the ethnic divide between the Hutu and Tutsi, this studyhas focused on the construction of ethnonationalist identities in Rwanda to underscore that identity is a social construct used to achieve various ends. This study has four objectives: to interrogate the construction of ethnic identity and national difference in Hotel Rwanda, Shooting Dogs and Sometimes in April, to investigate the implications of ethnic superiority and dominance of characters in the films, to examine the struggles of ethnic minorities in marginal spaces in the films and to evaluate the emergence of new identities and their role in shaping the identity politics playing out in the films. The study uses Theory of Nationalism: primordialism, instrumentalism and constructivism by Ernest Gellner (1964) and Structuralist Film Theory by Leo Kuleshov (1979) to unveil underlying meanings in thefilms. Being qualitative in nature, the study uses exploratory research design.It adopts purposive sampling to select three out of nine historical filmsbased on their thematic density. Secondary data has been sourced from books, journals, theses, dissertations, literary and filmic materials. Data collection was done through observation, an informal table and note-taking. Data analysis and presentation was guided by the theory of nationalism, structuralist film theory and the historical construction of identities in Rwanda because the films take a historical trajectory. The study arrived at the following findings: Using primordialism, the study found out that the Hutu construct their nation using history, land, physical traits, coded language, media, and the national identity card. Through instrumentalism, the study found out that some characters put their own interests ahead of group interests andcriss cross their identity borders for economic and political benefits. The study found out that the quest for an exclusive Hutu nation leads to ethnic hegemony and national strife which calls for the use of enmification, execution lists and mobilisation of militia groups to ‘other’ the Tutsi, ultimately leading to the genocide. Using constructivism, the study concludes that identity is a fluid construct that keeps refashioning in different contexts. Hutu characters cross their ethnic borders and protect the Tutsi in marginal spaces during the genocide.Whites equally transcend their racial boundaries to help the Rwandese after the UN evacuates white nationals. Finally, the study concludes that post-genocide identities transcend difference and concentrate on reconstructing Rwanda, which highlights the plasticity of identity borders. The study recommends that more studies be carried out on identity politics in film to underscore the reality that identity is a social construct used to serve political, social and economic ends. These studies could be used to avert violence by sensitizing citizens against group psychology. The study proposes areas for further research as follows: A comparative study be carried out on identity politics on films about Africa and the west to determine their similarities in order to highlight the universality of identity construction. Another study could be conducted on the role of film techniques in representing identity politics to the audiencein order to mediate ethnic tensions. Lastly, the study proposes that a study be done on the same topic using a different genre and different theories. This could be significant in relating the two genres and their modes of presentation