Frantz Fanon Concerning Violence – Oppression and Resistance

Concerning Violence, written and directed by Göran Olsson, is inspired by Frantz Fanon’s The Wretched of the Earth. Excerpts of the book constitute the film’s narrative read by singer and activist Lauryn Hill. Violence, according to Fanon, is at the heart of colonialism, as colonialism “is violence in its natural state, and it will only yield when confronted with greater violence”. Decolonisation, then, “is always a violent phenomenon”. “Decolonisation, which sets out to change the order of the world, is, obviously, a programme of complete disorder”.

Fanon’s narrative is weaved together with footage from former European colonial possessions in Africa depicting the subjugation, the crippling and impoverishment of native populations. Scenes which are juxtaposed with white Europeans relaxing, sun-tanning and playing golf when they are not extracting resources and imprisoning and torturing people. This provides the background for militant resistance.