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14
THE FILM IN COLONIAL DEVELOPMENT
Summary of papers read to the B.K.S. Sub-Standard Film Division on November 26th, 1947.
I. INTRODUCTION
George Pearson, Hon. F.R.P.S.*
IN the production of films for the illiterate native population of Africa— a work to which Mr. Sellers has devoted half a life-time — we are faced with limitations and restrictions unknown to the worker in free kinema. We have to achieve, despite enforced restrictions, exactly the same results desired by the commercial film makers in relation to their audiences : clear understanding and complete appreciation, but in our case, by an audience, unable to write, unable to read, primitive in customs. This formidable task has been surmounted by the Colonial Film Unit, a non-profit-making body formed under the auspices of the Central Office of Information.
My contribution to the Colonial Film Unit has been mainly concerned with the development of a type of production fitted to the mentality of the Colonial people. There is one generalisation I dislike — that our work needs only inferior technical skill, and, in fact, is likened to making films for little children. Our task calls for technical skill of the highest order.
The Basis of Education
These films must be fashioned on the basic principles of all education, in that the} must obey the laws of all human mental progression. They should, therefore, affect the viewer in the following ways : first, sensation — all knowledge derives from 'sensation ; secondly, perception — every sensation stores a fresh percept in the mind ; thirdly, conception — comparing our percept-memories conjures up fresh ideas ; lastly, thought — conception ultimately leads to thought. That briefly is educational progress.
The only way to obtain these reactions is to interest the audience by showing films about themselves. This has been attempted by sending film units to Africa, to make films on African soil, with African surroundings, peoples and customs. This has been found to be the only way to catch the Colonial peoples' interest swiftly, and to hold it firmly. No camera tricks or strange angles must confuse him, or anything that might jerk his mind from the story. This would cause loss of mental thought continuity.
It is the aim of the Colonial Film Unit to give the African native that outlook and vision which will urge him to break the bonds of illiteracy. In this way he can become a good citizen, which will eventually lead to the final goal of self-government.
II. COLONIAL FILM UNIT.
W. Sellers, M.B.E.*
IT is just over six years since I addressed the B.K.S.f on the subject of film production for the primitive people of the Colonial Empire. Our films, regarded by Western standards, might be described as very dull. In Africa, however, they are enormously successful, as, for example, Mr. English at Home, a film dealing with the everyday happenings in Britain. This film deals with the daily life of an average English family, telling the story in a way the Africans can understand. This is still the most popular film, although it is seven years since it was completed.
"Colonial Film Unit -fj. Brit. Kinc. Soc, July/Sept., 1941, p.104.