Popular Ethiopian Cinema: Love and Other Genres

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the Amharic film industry in Ethiopia,from its rise in 2002 to the present,focusing on the role of fiker/love as an organizing principle in national culture. It explores the negotiations between romantic, familial, patriotic, and spiritual notions of love in Amharic films and the production and exhibition of films in Ethiopia, charting fluctuations and continuities between the past and the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This captivating book delves into the rich history, structures, and films of the Amharic film industry in Ethiopia, shedding much-needed light on its evolution from 2002 to the present. Embracing a multidisciplinary approach, it combines archival, ethnographic, and textual research methods to offer a profound and detailed appreciation of Amharic-language cinema.

Author Michael Thomas takes a unique perspective by examining the concept of fiker/love as an organizing principle in national Ethiopian culture, and subsequently, Amharic cinema. By centering fiker as a central theme, the book illuminates the intricate negotiations that unfold between romantic, familial, patriotic, and spiritual notions of love within these films.

Thomas also delves into the production and exhibition of films in Ethiopia, tracing fluctuations and continuities between the past and the present. Through meticulous analysis, he offers insightful textual readings of various Amharic films, identifying key junctures in the industry's development and the emergence of new genres.

The findings of this comprehensive book provide valuable insights into the affective characteristics that define most Amharic genres and the role culturally specific concepts, such as fiker, play in sustaining the relevance of commercial cinemas catering to domestic audiences.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, offering a deep understanding of the Amharic film industry and its cultural significance in Ethiopia. Its multidisciplinary approach and detailed analysis make it a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the world of Ethiopian cinema.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350227408