Karmen Gei is a revolutionary because it defies all of the standards of beauty set by previous versions of the Bizet opera Carmen. Karmen Gei was a dark skinned woman as opposed to being fair skinned as some of the previous actresses that played the role of Carmen. Typically throughout American history the notion that “light is right” has been apparent. “Whiteness can be seen as central to representations of certain kinds of femininity, especially in relation to notions of sexual purity and desirability.”[8] In Karmen Gei the choreography was South African and very sensual and bold at some points which differentiated from any other versions of the opera. The dancing in the film was very refreshing and unique in a way that I have not yet experienced. Karmen Gei’s sexuality was very open and the style and presentation of the film followed suit. The director Joseph Ramaka was very strategic with putting the right amount of sexuality and still maintaining the emotional importance of the romantic relationship between Karmen and Angelique. I think this was crucial because in most lesbian films they are overly sexual and there is no acknowledgement of the romantic and emotional aspect.
Karmen Gei exhibits lesbianism in a way that most Hollywood films do not show lesbian love, much less for a South African film. Amongst the few African lesbian centered films that exist, a small fraction of them show a profound or perhaps thought provoking take on a lesbian love story. This musical has never been made with a lesbian lead, nor with a complete South African soundtrack and choreography.
Another interesting dynamic about this film was the fact that Karmen’s mother, Ma Penda was so accepting and loving about her daughter’s bold and wild personality as well as her sexuality. There is even a scene in the film where Karmen’s mother is talking to the warden Angelique that is deeply in love with Karmen. During this scene Angelique pours out her feelings to Ma Penda and she does her best to console her while being honest about her opinion about the likelihood of Karnen settling down with her. This is a bold attempt at reversing the pre-existing disapproval of homosexuality that we often see in both American and African cultures alike.
Now, when those who fall on the wrong side of class, race and gender try to force an issue before the interplay of the rules and conditions connecting different facets of society are ready for such an issue to be mentioned, it is then their tragedies that soon follow. This is a common theme that is not only seen in film, but also in history and today’s society. Karmen's sexuality is disruptive force to her life, and most of the people around her. Because of this she has a reputation as being a force to be reckoned with. For this reason Karmen’s mother warned Angelique that Karmen was like the ocean; running wild and unable to be controlled. To stop this force she is pressured in various ways to give up her right to be free and uninhibited. Her opting to be completely free and her sexuality uncontained is a new concept the interplay of rules and conditions that hold her society together is not yet ready to accommodate, and therein lies her tragedy. Karmen is murdered by her male love, which subtly perpetuates the patriarchal aspect African society.
The lesbian community has very little representation in African film versus American film. However, the question worthy of being asked is; “what are the similarities and what are the differences?” In African film the representation of lesbians is much more subtle than in American film. In American film it is very common to see intimate lesbian love scenes. A great modern time example of blatant displays of lesbian life on television would be the Showtime series The L word. This show was very popular amongst male and female viewers for quite a few seasons. From this I would assume that audiences respond positively to images of lesbian women, and therefore you would expect to see more of those type of images.
However, on the contrary male homosexual love scenes are for the most part still taboo. Ang Lee’s film Brokeback Mountain was ground breaking as far as introducing the American public to a gay love story on the big screen, and gaining recognition. Being gay in America certainly has not always been as widely accepted as it is now. This does not mean that homosexuality wasn’t as prevalent before, but it simply means that in today’s day and age there is more of a positive reinforcement for the gay and lesbian communities.” The more we come together to support the individuality, perhaps we will know unity.
Conventional wisdom suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities have made notable social and legislative gains in the past decade.” [4] In spite of all of the homosexual-friendly programs and policies there are still many hate crimes committed and discrimination that is to be expected when one decides to “come out.” The negative stigma attached to being gay can cause very violent and hostile situations. As a result many people do not want to be labeled as gay and therefore keep their true sexuality and identity a secret. "I shut down everything homosexual. As a little boy it’s ok, but at 13 or 14 you have to be what society demand of you [Abdellah Taia].”In film we often se subtle allusions to homosexuality, but rare do we see it overtly.
For example, “[Alice Walker]'s and [Audre Lorde]'s books smashed that enforced black silence in ways that no other work had done before and few books have done since. The effect of these books was felt so strongly because both were set in our historical past. The idea that lesbianism was a white, modern thing was challenged when we read about the loving between Shug and Celie in the era of juke joints and moonshine. Shug Avery's reputation as a lively, lusty woman gives her choice of Celie considerable weight. It implies the power and validity of black women's desire as no heterosexual love story has ever done. Reading about Audre Lorde making her way through the lesbian life of New York's West Village in the 1950's makes that sexual self-determination a heroic goal akin to the other struggles for human rights she's experienced. And just as with the recovery of black history in the 1960's, it was no longer easy to dismiss black lesbians once we were identified as part of black history. [2]”
In Africa there are still major struggles for the homosexual population. One of it’s biggest adversaries is the church. Many people neglect to realize the power of the church and how much control it has over how people think and the perspective when it comes to political issues and problems in the community. For decades the church has demonized homosexuality and made the gay and lesbian community feel ostracized. As a result, the church perpetuates the social death that comes with being a homosexual. Because the church is so adamant about homosexuality being the devil’s work many of the people committing hate crimes feel their behavior is justified in the name of God. "The fact of the matter is and it's important for us to recognize that the same things, how we're using the Bible to down homosexuals, the Bible was used against Black folks. The Bible is being used to down women [7].“ Mercy has its limits, it seems, when it comes to homosexuality. The role that the church plays when it comes to homosexuality in film whether it be in Africa or in America is discouraging people from supporting the films. Many devout Christians or Catholics will not buy tickets to support homosexual films / productions.
Along with the social dynamics that the homosexual community faces, these same characteristics transcend through film. Part of what makes film so interesting is that it can provide insight into the status quo of the social/ political climate at the time. For example, in Karmen Gei there was very little discussion or reaction to the fact that the main character was a lesbian. It seems as though the African critics that critiqued the film chose to ignore one of the main themes of the film.Only South Africa, with one of the world's most forward-moving gay rights statutes, stands as an African exception. But in neighboring Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe once branded gays ‘worse than pigs and dogs.
The director of the film Ramaka did an excellent job of making the lesbian love scenes erotic while maintaining a tasteful touch. There is a universal trend of people ignoring what they don’t understand or what is deemed different from the norm. The fact that there was absolutely no coverage about such a revolutionary African film is a direct reflection of where the lesbian community stands amongst political issues. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, homosexuality is a huge political issue. For instance, religion also plays a pivotal role in perpetuating the idea that homosexuality is evil and an outright abomination.
In the South African film Karmen Gei by Joseph Ramaka the lead character is a free spirited lesbian. The film was substantial in showing how deep lesbian love can be. The warden Angelique was in love with Karmen and eventually committed suicide because she knew that she could never have Karmen. This is a perfect illustration of the profound level of passion involved in homosexual relationships. A lot of times when homosexual relationships are portrayed in the media in America it is promoted as a strictly sexual relationship. It is of great importance for the world to see the other side of gay and lesbian romance that is typically not explored. “Most importantly for me, I saw lesbians within the context of a community, a possibility that was always being denied by the larger culture.” [2]
The following is another example of an African homosexual couple that was truly in love, but dur to circumstances was forced to separate:
“It was a passionate and dramatic relationship ’We were both Arabs, and we were redefining ourselves in this relationship,’ says Ta'ia. ‘It was more than a simple attraction - it was like being in the source of your life, of something that is forbidden, and should not exist but that you make exist. He liked Arab poems and used to read them to me, and this is the kind of special thing that you only find in love.’ The couple even shared a diary until, in a jealous rage, Mohamed absconded with it, and leaving Ta'ia only those pages he wanted him to read. They saw each other on and off after separating, until the death of Mohamed's first wife. [1]”
Homosexuality is among us, and has been for centuries. It is time that we accept it as part of our world, society, and culture. It is a shame that so many people in the world have not learned how to be disagreeable without being violently disagreeable. It is my hope that future generations will be able t see films that have been made that show the true essence of being gay or lesbian and understand that it is not evil and in fact can be beautiful. African filmmakers have a long way to go as far as delving into gay and lesbian issues, but the United States is not that far ahead. It is my greatest hope that as a result of more African and American films relating to this issue will change the perspectives and stereotypes for people across the world.
