This content was published: February 18, 2008. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Cameroonian director stops by PCC’s African film festival
Photos and story by James Hill
Jean-Marie Téno, Director
Director Jean-Marie Téno of Cameroon toured Portland, had lunch with volunteers and hosted showings of two documentaries he directed at this year’s Cascade Festival of African Films. Téno is considered one of Africa’s premiere documentary filmmakers.
In the festival’s second week, Téno showed two of his recent films, “The Colonial Misunderstanding,” and “Alex’s Wedding.” The film “Colonial Misunderstanding” is a journey through history that brings to light the complex and problematic relationship between colonialism and missionary activity on the African continent. The film looks to the past as a way of understanding (and finding solutions for) today’s neocolonial equivalents.
In “Alex’s Wedding,” Alex is getting married to his second wife, young Josephine. He is still married to Elise, his first wife of 18 years with whom he has six children. This extraordinary chronicle of a polygamous marriage ceremony captures both its rituals and celebration – and the profound, unspoken subtext of those involved.
After each showing, Téno answered questions about his work and shared insights into colonialism, neo-colonialism and African filmmaking with the audience.
Téno, who is currently a visiting artist at Amherst College in Massachusetts, is known for his insights into Africa’s colonial past and post-colonial present. He was born in 1954 in Famleng, Cameroon. In 1977, he moved to France – where he still lives – and studied audiovisual communication, receiving a master’s degree from the University of Valenciennes. After working in journalism for a time, he managed to interview director Ousmane Semb
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »