Fear of the Dark

Studies of the portrayal of black people in film have tended to be studies for the ideological correctness of the depictions of black people and the extent to which they rely on stereotypes. By closely examining films such as Sapphire (1959), Leo the Last (1969), Black Joy (1977), Playing Away (1986) and Mona Lisa (1987) and situating them in their historical and social context, Fear of the Dark develops a particualar critical perspective on the film portrayal of black female sexuality and questions the extent to which black film makers have challenged stereotypes.

Lola Young is a former professional actress and currently is Principal Lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at Middlesex University.

Chapter 1 Themes and issues; Chapter 2 Notes on the discourse of 'race'; Chapter 3 Imperial culture: the primitive, the savage and white civilization; Chapter 4 'Miscegenation' and the perils of 'passing'; Chapter 5 Family life; Chapter 6 Representing reality and 'the black experience' in 1970s Britain; Chapter 7 British cinema into the 1980s; Chapter 8 'Race', identity and cultural criticism;