Set during the early years of the First Liberian Civil War (1989 – 1996), this startling debut play by Diana Nneka Atuona tells the story of fourteen-year-old Martha who flees her country, disguised as a boy, when it's invaded by rebels. Investigated and cruelly interrogated, she is separated from her grandmother as they attempt to escape the conflict under false identities and, convincing in her boy's apparel, Martha is forced to join the rebels' army. Exposed to the violence of this brutal and seemingly misguided conflict, both as victim and perpetrator, Martha's experience of the First Liberian Civil War is one of excessive cruelty and, in particular, abuse against female prisoners of war. Liberian Girl received its world premiere at the Royal Court Upstairs, London in December 2014.

An authoritative guide to African cinema with contributions from a team of experts on the topic A Companion to African Cinema offers an overview of critical approaches to African cinema. With contributions from an international panel of experts, the Companion approaches the topic through the lens of cultural studies, contemporary transformations in the world order, the rise of globalization, film production, distribution, and exhibition. This volume represents a new approach to African cinema criticism that once stressed the sociological and sociopolitical aspects of a film. The text explores a wide range of broad topics including: cinematic economics, video movies, life in cinematic urban Africa, reframing human rights, as well as more targeted topics such as the linguistic domestication of Indian films in the Hausa language and the importance of female African filmmakers and their successes in overcoming limitations caused by gender inequality. The book also highlights a comparative perspective of African videoscapes of Southern Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Côte d’Ivoire and explores the rise of Nairobi-based Female Filmmakers. This important resource: Puts the focus on critical analyses that take into account manifestations of the political changes brought by neocolonialism and the waning of the cold war Explores Examines the urgent questions raised by commercial video about globalization Addresses issues such as funding, the acquisition of adequate production technologies and apparatuses, and the development of adequately trained actors Written for film students and scholars, A Companion to African Cinema offers a look at new critical approaches to African cinema.

American racism traps Blacks -- even in Africa. Prof. Dennis chronicles the compulsive and repetitious nature of racism and its destructive effects on peoples and societies, Dr. Dennis's observations of the twists of irony and misplaced pride on all sides will provoke a wry smile as well as dismay. During the 1990s, Liberia descended into civil war and anarchy. African-Liberian rebel groups roamed the countryside randomly killing as they vied for power. Doe was killed by a segment of these rebel groups and warlord Charles Taylor eventually became president in 1997.

“She was killing herself slowly, and this obsession with the war had to stop.” How can one man cope when his true love is a woman of great destiny? “The people are her purpose and she is my purpose.” The Wind of Change follows the intersecting fates of Francois and Zola as they struggle with the injustices of life and inconsistencies of love in a world where children are dying. Within the Frenchman’s narrative and declarations of love lies the tragic tale of the children of war-torn Africa and the personal cost of civil war and armed conflict, of torture, murder, resistance, and forgiveness. Set in the days of Nelson Mandela’s release from incarceration, it brings to life the Pan-African ideals of the 60s through the journey of a young woman who would be queen to unite and bring peace to all of Africa. If you imagine a future can you make it real? Can you make a difference? If you give from your heart, can you make the wind change? Watch out for Volume 2 of The Wind of Change: "What Happened in Africa"

Written by a true fan, this internationally bestselling book chronicles Michael Jackson's interviews with such major talk show hosts and leading magazines as Oprah Winfrey, Dianne Sawyer Barbara Walters, "USA Today," and "Vibe Magazine." Includes lists of his songs, lyrics, and films. 16-page color insert.

The main focus of this book is on Michael's career from the late 1970s onwards. It features a complete, chronological listing of every album, one-off single and collaboration Michael recorded during this period. Throughout the book, albums are printed in CAPITALS, to distinguish them from singles and other songs. Each entry features American and UK catalog numbers and release dates, artist credits (as per the actual release), album track listings, and chart positions achieved in the States (Hot 100 and R & B charts), the UK and numerous other countries. Other significant aspects of Michael's life are included as well, and the book concludes with a comprehensive chartography (USA and UK), top singles and albums, awards, movies and videography, discographies (USA and UK), and a fascinating listing of rarities from around the world.

For half a century, Michael Jackson’s music has been an indelible part of our cultural consciousness. Landmark albums such as Off the Wall and Thriller shattered records, broke racial barriers, amassed awards, and set a new standard for popular music. While his songs continue to be played in nearly every corner of the world, however, they have rarely been given serious critical attention. The first book dedicated solely to exploring his creative work, Man in the Music guides us through an unparalleled analysis of Jackson’s recordings, album by album, from his trailblazing work with Quincy Jones to his later collaborations with Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Rodney Jerkins. Drawing on rare archival material and on dozens of original interviews with the collaborators, engineers, producers, and songwriters who helped bring the artist’s music into the world, Jackson expert and acclaimed cultural critic Joseph Vogel reveals the inspirations, demos, studio sessions, technological advances, setbacks and breakthroughs, failures and triumphs, that gave rise to an immortal body of work.

Five-time Grammy Winning recording enginner, covers all aspects of recording and his life - working with legends from Duke Ellington to Michael Jackson.

"This book will profile real-life child and adult activists working to improve healthcare and education about health."--

This book examines the political alliances that are built across the diaspora in contemporary plays written by Black women playwrights in the UK. Through the concept of creative diasporic solidarity, it offers an innovative theoretical approach to examine the ways in which the playwrights respond creatively to the violence and marginalisation of Black communities, especially Black women. This study demonstrates that theatre can act as a productive space for the ethical encounter with the Other (understood in terms of alterity, as someone different from the self) by examining the possibilities of these plays to activate the spectators’ responsibility and solidarity towards different types of violence experienced by Black women, offering alternative modes of relationality. The book engages with a range of contemporary works written by Black women playwrights in the UK, including Mojisola Adebayo, Theresa Ikoko, Diana Nneka Atuona, Gloria Williams, Charlene James, or Yusra Warsama, bringing to the fore a gendered and intersectional approach to the analysis of the texts. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars in contemporary theatre, gender studies and diaspora studies.