Challenging themes from Africa
AFRICA UNITED
Director: Debs Gardner-Paterson
Running time: 90 minutes
Cert. TBC
UK general release date: October 22 2010
If you were to analyse much of the media coverage for this continent, you could be forgiven for assuming that Africa seems far from ‘united’. Trying to portray a different yet realistic side to Africa was something this film attempted to do.
Another event which sought to celebrate the best of Africa, the recent football World Cup, also played an integral part in this film, through the closely-knit group of young people led by the eternally-optimistic ‘Dudu’ embarking on a journey across several African countries to reach the World Cup opening ceremony in South Africa.
Ambitious aims
From the outset, it is clear that Africa United is ambitious in its aims, not only geographically but also in content. The tagline of the movie — ‘a family film with a global conscience’ — provides Debs Gardner-Paterson (making her directorial début) with quite a challenge. I was keen to see this film, given that it not only has the backing of an established film company (Pathe) but also considerable Christian involvement through its production. Jackie Sheppard is a past Communications Director of the Baptist Union no less!
Charming storyline
Africa United proves engaging, thanks to its charming storyline. Challenging themes are also raised and form a key part of the characters in the story. Yet, perhaps unsurprisingly due to its ‘family fun’ remit, such themes don’t go into enough depth to challenge the stereotypes some may have regarding Africa.
Still, this offering excels cinematically in displaying the beauty of God’s creation. Apart from that, however, this film addresses God and Christianity at arms’ length, typified through Dudu’s ‘football-based’ account of creation. Such a connection (although identifiable with the creation account in Genesis) seems a bit tenuous!
Good cheer
In sum, Africa United is an entertaining watch despite its predictability. It is also good to be exposed to an Africa full of God-given natural beauty, and people who work through their problems with good cheer. Yet one can’t help thinking that this film missed the opportunity to address and deal properly with the issues it introduces. Is it possible for a film to be hard hitting and family-friendly?
David Binder,
recent graduate of Bath University
