Amazigh Cinema

Lucy R. McNair is a literary translator of French and Professor of English at LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York. Her translations include the classic Algerian coming-of-age novel, The Poor Man's Son, by Amazigh writer Mouloud Feraoun, the memoir To Hell and Back by Samira Bellil, plus many critical studies, creative essays, and poems by North African writers. She co-curates the New York Forum of Amazigh Film. Yahya Laayouni is Associate Professor of Arabic Studies and French at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. He is an Amazigh native of Morocco and co-organizer of the New York Forum of Amazigh Film. His work on Amazigh Indigenous and Franco-Maghrebi cinema has appeared in the Journal of Religion and Film, The Bloomsbury Handbook of Muslim Popular Culture, and Jaddaliya.

"Amazigh Cinema provides a comprehensive overview of how this vibrant cinematic tradition challenges stereotypes, preserves heritage, and engages with global audiences."-- "Dr. Nabil Boudraa, Oregon State University" "An important contribution to Amazigh Studies and a fabulous introduction to emergent Amazigh filmmaking practices."-- "Paul A. Silverstein, Professor of Anthropology, Reed College" "Lucy R. McNair and Yahya Laayouni's brilliant collection provides a broad introduction to Amazigh film, video, and media along with a series of incisive and well-researched chapters that open up numerous areas for further investigation."-- "Brian T. Edwards, author of After the American Century: The Ends of U.S. Culture in the Middle East" "This work offers one of the first extensive studies of Amazigh film to be published in English. Exploring the rich traditions and culture of the Tamazight, or 'free people, ' the editors and contributors bring to readers a fascinating and engaging filmography that reveals the complexities and tensions present in contemporary Morocco."-- "Valerie K. Orlando, author of Screening Morocco: Contemporary Film in a Changing Society"