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DVD / video DVD / video Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Connecting dreams: life histories, crossing borders, new communication technologies
Editors:Bruijn, Mirjam deISNI
Sijsma, Sjoerd Epe
Year:2012
Language:English
City of publisher:Leiden
Publisher:African Studies Centre
Geographic terms:Cameroon
Netherlands
Subjects:mobile telephone
social relations
social change
mobility
migrants
communication
documentary films (form)
videos (form)
External link:http://youtu.be/xeSOlCnEXXA
Abstract:The proliferation of mobile communication is part of the changing landscape of modern day Africa. But what changes are we observing? Are these transformations of the social landscape or a continuity of older patterns of sociality? And what is the influence of mobile phone use on the processes of social change? This film focuses on people's views on the (dis)advantages of the mobile phone, instead of imposing an external analysis on the 'impact' of the mobile. For instance, in the documentary a retired teacher from Babungo, Western Cameroon, comments on the mobile phone with mixed feelings. Positive about the possibilities for contact, he also stresses the potentially disruptive uses of the mobile phone. The phone is indispensable, yet it is not available for everybody. Different people are interviewed, amongst whom a migrant from Cameroon in the Netherlands. Some citations: 'The telephone is a very good apparatus, letter writing has gone, I have not written a letter for three or four years...'; 'There was a time that I could spend my money on the phone, I could spend 5,000 francs a day on the phone...'; 'The phone has brought a lot of evil, because stealing is very rampant, you can come out of the bank and pocket money there and somebody sees you and sees how well dressed you are and phones a thief to pull out that man and pull the devil out of him, and collect all the money...'. [Abstract reproduced from dvd]
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