Image of Africa in the Western Cinematic Imagination: A Study of the Colonial Perspective and the Marginalized Reality

Abstract:
   This study provides a critical analysis of the portrayals of Africa in Western cinema, highlighting its persistent role in reinforcing orientalist paradigms that depict the continent as mysterious, impoverished, and chaotic. It further explores the position of Black filmmakers within Western film industries, evaluates the influence of digital streaming platforms such as Netflix, and examines the rising prominence of indigenous African cinematic productions in articulating counter-narratives that more authentically represent African identities. 
   Despite the persistence of deeply rooted stereotypes, this study highlights notable progressive changes propelled by the rise of African auteurs and the expanding influence of Nollywood. Together, these developments foster a more nuanced, equitable, and decolonized cinematic discourse that challenges colonial dominance and facilitates the redefinition of African identities and subjectivities.