Just two words: WHAT IF? What if that is our reality ? What if this could happen? Those two words: What if, are the embodiment of Science Fiction. As Nnedi Okorafor, states in her Ted Talk, Sci-fi stories that imagine a future Africa, “there is no more efficient form of political writing, than Science Fiction”. Indeed, by imagining a parallel reality, science fiction can be a comforting way for people to feel seen. To feel hopeful. To feel like things could be different. Western science fiction is often reduced to male, white perspectives, excluding the voices and experiences of women and people of colour. Thus, it doesn’t offer the opportunity for people who are neither white nor men, to relate. Such a simple thing as being able to relate to stories that are told, shouldn’t be a privilege, but a norm. African Futurism uses that “What if” to connect it to African culture and realities, allowing a futuristic perspective that disputes the dominant Western narratives so often present in Science fiction. African Futurism, a term coined by Nnedi Okorafor, is a subcategory of speculative fiction rooted in African culture, history, and traditions and focuses on African perspectives and futures. It explores themes of technology and innovation and adopts an African lens to emphasize narratives deeply connected to the continent and maintain cultural authenticity.
The Last Angel of History, written and documented by Edward George and John Akomfah in the 90s, played a crucial role in popularizing African Futurism. Centred on Ghana, we can see Edward George playing a “last angel” in this documentary, exploring a dystopian future and drawing connections between the past and the present. Using various types of footage: archives, interviews and hypothetical visual sequences, the film shows the importance of culture as a source of empowerment and a vehicle for reimagining the future. Lastly, this movie highlights the under-recognized African contribution to science and technology. Thus, it raises awareness of the need to rethink our comprehension of African history, and reinvent African innovation and creativity.
Neptune Frost, an independent science fiction musical, co-directed by Rwandan Anisia Uzeyman and American Saul Williams, is an embodiment of African Futurism. Indeed, this dystopian tale dives into what the future of technology could look like: A world where our bodies are exploited against the production of minerals, mirroring the real-world resource struggles in many African countries. This musical uses African oral tradition and song-poetry to express the complexities of Rwandan and Burundian identities. Furthermore, it addresses topics such as gender fluidity and authoritarianism. This film offers a unique narrative, putting African voices at the center of an alternative future.
Another film that embodies African Futurism, is Pumzi. Released in 2009, this Kenyan Sci-fi short film was directed by Wanuri Kahiu. This film takes place 35 years after World War III, also called the Water War, in the Maitu community. Suffering from environmental collapses, this small East African community is completely enclosed. Asha, the main character, works as a museum curator. She finds a jar with soil, and uses it to plant an old seed which immediately starts growing. She sees it as as a sign of hope: there might be a possibility of life outside. But when she tries to find out she faces resistance. This film is a perfect example of what African Futurism aims to do. Challenge the western model of development. Challenge the influence of colonial legacies on the representation of Africa. By using an African narrative at the center, Pumzi imagines what the world could look like if we lived in harmony with nature. It finishes off with a hopeful note: we can all shape the future.
To sum up, the three movies teach us that by redefining the past and the present, we can shape a better, and more hopeful future. Using African Futurism, independent filmmakers manage to rethink the Western science fiction narrative and instead propose a more inclusive story. A story everyone can relate to, no matter your colour, no matter your gender and no matter your heritage.
Written by Emma Bindler
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