Africa was faceless, voiceless and "memory-less" for far too long. Africa's only history was the one written for it by the people who had plundered and inflicted endless pain upon it. Stories of savage peoples that needed to be educated. Of dictatorships overcome by heat and sun. Of humanitarian disasters. As if Africa wasn't mature enough to speak for itself. As if it couldn't utter its truths, tells its story, reveal its deep-down identity all by itself.
The series "Africa, History of a continent" relives a century of African history, as told by its key players. People who helped, from near or afar, to awaken the continent and bring it into the 21st century.
A mix of interviews with key African figures and unique never-before-seen stock footage that is fast disappearing, "Africa, History of a continent" takes viewers back into the past of a forgotten continent, from the upheaval of the colonial era to the great experiments with democracy and African unity, to the ferment of independence movements, civil wars, chaotic world conflicts, tumultuous crises and cultural renewal. The memory of the African continent, oblivious to the West, encapsulates our deepest impulses toward development, and holds the key to some of the big empty spaces in our own history.

Cowritten by historian Elikia M'BOKOLO, Director of Studies at the School of Higher Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris, and journalist Philippe SAINTENY, former Chief Editor at Radio France International.

Directed by Alain FERRARI, an experienced hand at long film projects.

As an African proverb says: "Until the lion has his own storyteller, the hunter will always be the hero of the story."
With 18 African countries preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their independence in 2010, and South Africa set to host the World Cup, the series AFRICA will tell the story of the African continent "from the lions' point of view" for the very first time. By sounding the memory of Africa, the series will give viewers a glimpse of the other side of our shared history, another history of the 20th century.

A film by Elikia M'Bokolo, Philippe Sainteny and Alain Ferrari

Format : 16/9 - 10x 52' - color & NB - HD
Production : Temps noir /INA with assistance from France 5