The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule mostly by military governments a civilian government was installed in 1993.

The Central African cinema holds a modest place in comparison with the other film producing African countries. The Central African director who is best known is Joseph Akouissonne, for his film zo kwe zo (Un homme est un Homme). Produced in 1982, it was the first of a series entitled “Africa; is it only twenty years old?” It recalls the history of his country, using mainly oral sources, since the establishment of the French station in Bangui by Alberl Dolisie up until independence.

The film represents a first attempt to describe an identity of Central Africans and their country. It won him a prizes at the Fespaco film festival In 1982, Akouissonne directed Les dieux noirs du stade. The first film of the scenario writer born in Bangassou in 1943, is a short film of 15 minutes, Josepha produced in 1974 and the first of a series featuring African woman in Europe. Victor Bissengué, another Central African scenario writer, co-produced. The latter being the driving force behind the introduction of the internet in Central Africa. In 1985 Léonie Yangba Zowe shot a series of ethnographic short films. In Lengue she filmed the the songs and tribal dances of the Yacoba and the Chari Sango ethnic groups. The first film to gain some international acclaim was Silence de la forêt by Didier Florent Ouenangare, he won a prize at the Film Festival of Amiens. It tells the story of a civil servant, in revolt against the institutions, leaving food in the bushes for the Pygmies, getting him in all kinds of trouble. Today the film industry in the Central African Republic is virtually non existent, hopes remain the young democratic government will start supporting local initatives.

DOCUMENTARY FILMS

• Yangba-Bolo 1985 Léonie Yangba Zowe
• Nzale 1985 Léonie Yangba Zowe
• Lengue 1985 Léonie Yangba Zowe
• Paroles de sages 1987 Léonie Yangba Zowe

FEATURE FILMS

• Silence de la forêt (Le) 2003, Didier Ouenangaré, Bassek Ba Kobhio