Unpacking the White Gaze: OMEN Film Screening and Panel Discussion
- African Cultural Foundation
- Jun 29, 2024
- 3 min read
On June 29, 2024, audiences gathered for a special screening of OMEN, the bold directorial debut by Belgian-Congolese filmmaker and musician Baloji, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion centered around “The White Gaze & Film: Stereotypes, Cultural Representation & African Tradition in Diaspora Cinema.”
The evening, hosted in cooperation with Stadtkino, invited guests to explore the complex and often uncomfortable intersections of culture, race, tradition, and artistic freedom in global cinema. OMEN, with its rich symbolism and haunting visuals, provided the perfect launchpad for a conversation that was long overdue.
The Film: A Visual Rebellion
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Belgium, Baloji brings a unique lens to his storytelling in OMEN. The film challenges Western cinematic conventions by weaving together surrealism, Congolese spiritual traditions, and themes of alienation, identity, and return. With striking imagery and layered narrative, OMEN defies the limiting perspectives often imposed on African stories by Western audiences and funding systems.
The Conversation: Beyond the Surface
Following the screening, a dynamic and insightful panel unpacked the idea of the "White Gaze" in film—how it shapes the way African stories are told, who they are told for, and what is often lost or distorted in the process.
Our speakers brought personal, artistic, and academic insight to the discussion:
Andrea Elaiza Arnold, junior producer of the documentary AUSTROSCHWARZ, reflected on the challenges of producing films that authentically center Black Austrian voices while navigating predominantly white institutions.
Naomi Nkhufi, writer, director, and actress, emphasized the importance of reclaiming narrative control and breaking free from stereotypical character tropes in diaspora storytelling.
Anna Gaberscik, anti-racism educator and filmmaker (EDELWEISS), analyzed the mechanics of the white gaze and how it influences everything from script approval to visual language.
Temiloluwa Obiyemi, jurist, actress, model, and dancer, offered a multidisciplinary perspective on representation, speaking to the performative demands often placed on Black creatives across fields.
Fatima Sidibe, who moderated the panel, expertly navigated the conversation, asking challenging questions about authorship, audience expectation, and the future of African diasporic cinema.
Cultural Representation as Resistance
The discussion revealed deep tensions between authenticity and marketability. Panelists explored how African filmmakers and diaspora creatives must often negotiate their artistic vision with the pressures of Western funding, festival circuits, and audience expectations—all of which can unconsciously or deliberately prioritize exoticism over nuance.
But the evening also highlighted possibility—the rise of independent Black cinema, grassroots storytelling platforms, and global networks that support culturally grounded and community-rooted filmmaking.
A Legacy of Cultural Empowerment
This powerful event was part of the ongoing programming by the African Cultural Foundation, which has been uplifting African culture in Vienna since 1996. Through festivals, panels, and workshops, the organization continues to provide platforms for dialogue, empowerment, and celebration. Their mission remains clear: to support Black, African, and diaspora voices across Austria—and beyond.
As we approach their African Cultural Festival on July 12, the impact of this conversation will no doubt carry forward. With a focus this year on the Black Lives Matter movement in Austria and the economic contributions of African women, the Foundation remains a beacon of cultural connection and transformation.
Let’s keep talking. Let’s keep challenging. And most importantly—let’s keep creating our own narratives.
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