Producing African Disability through Documentary Film: Emmanuel's Gift and Moja Moja

The article examines two recent documentary films about disability and development; it argues that their seemingly fresh, inspirational narratives of disability and transnational assistance rely upon well-worn images of a crippled, needy Africa and its able, generous Northern counterparts. The disabled African documentary subject helps usher in development work with a sense of urgency in these films, leaving no time to question the way in which imperialism is reproduced within these projects. Through interrogating these seemingly benign 'overcoming' and 'friendship' stories and their celebrations of the virtues and privileges of the North, the authors glimpse the necessary role of Disability Studies in postcolonial theory.