Virtual sex, techno-paranoia, the cyber city, second life, social media culture, sexual identity politics and debating the online self – these themes are a sure indication that Black Mirror, the anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker, highlights key themes pertinent to our 21st century psyche and merits scholarly attention, writes Andrew Chatora
Film
Arts and Culture Chadwick Boseman to play the first African Samurai
Chadwick Boseman, the star of Black Panther, has signed on to portray Yasuke, a native of Portuguese Mozambique who became the first African samurai. The movie, which is set in the 16th century, is based on a true story.
Africans rising Netflix launches first original African animated series, “Mama K’s Team 4”
Streaming platform Netflix announced its first original African animated series, “Mama K’s Team 4”, produced by the Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios and London-based children’s entertainment specialist CAKE. Netflix is also conducting a continent-wide search for local female writing talent.
Arts and Culture Nnedi and Wanuri developing Amazon series based on Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed”
African sci-fi legend Nigerian Nnedi Okorafor and Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu are teaming up with Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis for an upcoming series adaptation of Octavia Butler’s novel “Wild Seed”. Okorafor and Kahiu will write the script together, while Kahiu will also direct the project.
Lifestyle Africa’s top film festival celebrates 50 years: what’s to celebrate, and learn
Fespaco, Africa’s premier film festival, celebrated its 50th anniversary in Burkina Faso. For African cinema to survive, it must adapt to today’s audiences and forms of distraction.
Arts and Culture Zambian film “I Am Not a Witch” debuts on Netflix
The award-winning Zambian film “I Am Not a Witch” will be the country’s first film to debut on Netflix. It joins other African films, such as “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” on the international streaming service.
Arts and Culture “Period. End of Sentence.”: The menstruation movie that won an Oscar
“Period. End of Sentence.” won Best Documentary in Short Subject at the 2019 Academy Awards. The documentary examines cultural omission and the basic obstacles that millions of women still face in accessing disposable sanitary products.
Arts and Culture Netflix wins rights to Zimbabwean animated musical
Netflix beat out competitors in a bidding war to secure the rights to Zimbabwean newcomer Godwin Jabangwe’s musical ‘Tunga’. The musical was inspired by Zimbabwean mythology and the screenwriter’s upbringing.
Arts and Culture Meet Marie Diouf, the woman championing iodised salt in Senegal
According to a report published by UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, nearly 19 million babies born annually are at risk of permanent yet preventable brain damage and reduced cognitive function due to the lack of iodine in the earliest years of life. A Senegalese woman is working to change those odds in her country.