EARTH FUTURE ACTION

AFRICAN APOCALYPSE

THE DARK TRUTH ABOUT FRENCH COLONIALISM

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African Apocalypse is a 2020 documentary film that explores the legacy of French colonialism in West Africa, mainly focusing on the story of Captain Paul Voulet, a French military officer whose brutal campaign in the early 20th century left a lasting impact on the region. The film, directed by Rob Lemkin, follows British poet Femi Nylander as he retraces Voulet's path of destruction through Niger, uncovering stories of atrocities and resistance from local communities. The documentary highlights the lasting scars of colonial violence and how these historical events continue to shape contemporary African societies.

The relationship between African Apocalypse and Joseph Conrad's novel Heart of Darkness lies in their thematic exploration of colonialism and its dehumanizing effects. Conrad's novel, published in 1899, tells the story of Charles Marlow's journey into the Congo Free State and his encounter with the enigmatic and tyrannical ivory trader Kurtz. Both works delve into the darkness and moral corruption inherent in the colonial enterprise, albeit in different contexts and mediums. While Heart of Darkness uses fiction to critique European colonialism in Africa, African Apocalypse uses documentary filmmaking to reveal the real-life horrors of colonial rule and its enduring consequences.

The documentary parallels Voulet's campaign and Conrad's fictional journey, suggesting that the heart of darkness Conrad depicted is not merely a literary metaphor but a historical reality experienced by many African communities under colonial rule. Through Nylander's journey, African Apocalypse confronts this legacy, questioning the narratives of civilization and progress often associated with colonialism and highlighting the resilience and resistance of African peoples.

African Apocalypse (Official Site)

African Apocalypse Trailer (Youtube)

African Apocalypse (Wikipedia)