Africa, I Will Fleece You

An engaging, personal film about the history of Cameroon. In the very first minutes we see scenes of the bloody riots from the years of the war of independence and subsequent dictatorship. Filmmaker Jean-Marie Teno leads us through the various phases the country has undergone, posing critical questions and inviting fellow political journalists to contribute in their chosen medium, whether through the written word or photo reportage. The result is an explorative journey in which the director exposes the long-term effects of colonization in the realms of politics, culture and the media. The combination of archive material, contemporary music, journalism, fiction and essay produces a refreshing perspective on the filmmaker’s homeland. Underlying the investigative and occasionally humorous tone is an activist message: a nation that does not remember and honor its past can never have a future. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)