La Noire de… by Sembene Ousmane: Exclusion, Migration, and the Reclamation of Marginalized Narratives
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Hodges 434 / Zoom Room A
Start Date
29-3-2025 11:20 AM
End Date
29-3-2025 11:40 AM
Description
This paper examines Sembène Ousmane’s La Noire de… as a critical exploration of postcolonial identity, cultural displacement, and the dehumanizing effects of colonial systems. Widely regarded as the "father of African cinema," Sembène addresses the social and political struggles rooted in the legacies of colonialism, highlighting the lived experiences of ordinary people. Released in 1966, La Noire de… follows Diouana, a young Senegalese domestic worker in France, whose journey reveals the stark contrast between the utopian ideals of migration and the harsh realities of alienation, cultural erasure, and exploitation.
Through visual and narrative techniques, Sembène explores themes such as the psychological toll of displacement, systemic inequalities, and the cultural alienation Diouana faces as she struggles to preserve her African identity amidst pressures of assimilation. Symbolism in the film—including clothing, language, and African artifacts—underscores the tension between cultural preservation and erasure in a foreign context, while critiquing how colonial universalism excludes marginalized voices.
Engaging with the sub-themes “Inclusion dans l’immigration et la migration” and “Connexions entre le cinéma et les arts visuels,” this paper situates La Noire de… within the broader context of Francophone literature and cinema. The film interrogates notions of inclusion, community, and identity while reclaiming space for postcolonial communities. As a pioneering postcolonial narrative, La Noire de… challenges colonial narratives, offering a profound commentary on race, class, migration, and the enduring relevance of inclusion in a globalized world
La Noire de… by Sembene Ousmane: Exclusion, Migration, and the Reclamation of Marginalized Narratives
Hodges 434 / Zoom Room A
This paper examines Sembène Ousmane’s La Noire de… as a critical exploration of postcolonial identity, cultural displacement, and the dehumanizing effects of colonial systems. Widely regarded as the "father of African cinema," Sembène addresses the social and political struggles rooted in the legacies of colonialism, highlighting the lived experiences of ordinary people. Released in 1966, La Noire de… follows Diouana, a young Senegalese domestic worker in France, whose journey reveals the stark contrast between the utopian ideals of migration and the harsh realities of alienation, cultural erasure, and exploitation.
Through visual and narrative techniques, Sembène explores themes such as the psychological toll of displacement, systemic inequalities, and the cultural alienation Diouana faces as she struggles to preserve her African identity amidst pressures of assimilation. Symbolism in the film—including clothing, language, and African artifacts—underscores the tension between cultural preservation and erasure in a foreign context, while critiquing how colonial universalism excludes marginalized voices.
Engaging with the sub-themes “Inclusion dans l’immigration et la migration” and “Connexions entre le cinéma et les arts visuels,” this paper situates La Noire de… within the broader context of Francophone literature and cinema. The film interrogates notions of inclusion, community, and identity while reclaiming space for postcolonial communities. As a pioneering postcolonial narrative, La Noire de… challenges colonial narratives, offering a profound commentary on race, class, migration, and the enduring relevance of inclusion in a globalized world