Cinematic performances of gender and violence: A study of Bissau–Guinean popular film

Abstract

This article examines Guinean popular film production, both in Guinea-Bissau and within the Guinean diaspora in Portugal and France, through a gendered lens. Popular films — defined here as low-budget productions by amateur filmmakers using readily available equipment —frequently depict commonplace narratives that resonate deeply with a significant portion of the population, including marginalized and illiterate communities. The widespread popularity of these films makes them a valuable resource for researching the impact of political violence and economic instability on the daily life of Guinea-Bissau. Existing research indicates that women are disproportionately affected by such instability, experiencing heightened rates of gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual harassment. Simultaneously, women have demonstrated remarkable resilience, developing effective informal coping mechanisms to navigate economic crises. This study investigates the social and political implications of women’s roles in these films, arguing that they provide a crucial lens for understanding gender-based violence in Guinea-Bissau. The analysis engages with Judith Butler’s work on the performative nature of gender identity, and its intersection with scholarship on African popular culture. While this article does not aim to provide a definitive feminist analysis of Guinean popular cinema, its gendered approach reveals several cinematic techniques that perpetuate and reinforce gender discrimination and gender-based violence.