The Anticolonial Cine Club

The Anticolonial CineClub is a student-led initiative at the English Department of the University of Münster, dedicated to examining multifaceted narratives of imperialism, colonialism, and neo/post/colonial cultures through the lens of cinema. As a praxis-based initiative grounded in post/colonial and decolonial theory, our mission is to curate a diverse and thought-provoking selection of films and documentaries that address these critical concerns, fostering inter-communal dialogue and stimulating discussions within our university community.

Established in May 2024, the CineClub has grown from a small group of students to a recognised platform for intellectual discourse and cultural exploration on campus. We believe that by contending with the legacies of colonialism and the ongoing struggles for decolonisation, we can contribute to a more inclusive understanding of our global society.

Our Vision

At the core of the Anticolonial CineClub is the belief that storytelling, particularly through film, is a powerful catalyst for systemic change. By curatinga carefully selected array of cinematic works, we aim to illuminate the historical and ongoing effects of imperialism and colonialism, showcase the diversity of neo/post/colonial cultures and thought, encourage critical thinking and open dialogue among students from all academic backgrounds, promote a deeper understanding of global issues and intercultural perspectives, and foster solidarity with marginalized communities and their struggles.

What We Do

The Anticolonial CineClub organises regular screenings of films and documentaries that align with our mission. Each screening is followed by a facilitated discussion, allowing participants to engage with the themes presented and share their insights. Our activities include:

Weekly screenings of films, from classic works of anti-colonial cinema to contemporary documentaries and experimental pieces.
Post-screening discussions, led by student moderators or guest speakers, these sessions provide a space for critical analysis and lively debate on the themes presented in the films.
Collaborations with NGOs, academics and local independent cinemas for special events and discussions.

Past Collaborations

Since its inception, the Anticolonial CineClub has been actively engaging with local communities in Münster through various collaborations and events.

In June 2024, we collaborated with Maurice Carney, co-founder and Executive Director of the Friends of the Congo Collective and held a virtual Q&A session. The event centred the documentary Crisis in the Congo: Uncovering the Truth (2011), providing a platform for discussing the ongoing situation in the Congo and broader liberation struggles around the world. Carney's insights offered our audience a unique perspective on these complex issues, fostering a deeper understanding of global dynamics.

In October 2024, we partnered with Cinema & Kurbelkiste, an independent cinema house in Münster, to screen Dahomey (2024). This collaboration expanded our reach within the city and provided an opportunity for critical dialogue about the film's themes with the local audience.

Later that month, on October 30, 2024, we hosted another Q&A session with Nora Komposch, a PhD student and assistant at the University of Bern to discuss the documentary The Invisible: Modern Slavery in Europe (2023). The documentary highlights the working conditions of strawberry field workers and the berry industry in Spain. Komposch's expertise helped our audience grapple with the lived realities of modern forms of slavery and exploitation in Europe, emphasizing the ongoing need for awareness and action.

Upcoming Screenings

The Anticolonial CineClub hosts weekly film discussions during the lecture period, providing a regular opportunity for engagement and critical analysis.

To stay updated on our upcoming screenings and collaborations, you can follow us on Instagram at @anticolonialcineclub.

Organizational Members

Özge Kayan

Özge Kayan (she/her) is currently a Master’s student in National and Transnational Studies: Literature, Culture, Language programme at the University of Münster, Germany. She has completed her Bachelor's degree in English Language Teaching from Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University in Turkey and has experience in the fields of education, translation and design. Her research interests include exploring different material agencies and manifestations of posthuman entanglements in various forms of media. She is specifically interested in working with Critical Posthuman Theory, New Materialism, Queer Theory, and Postcolonial Ecocriticism in works of speculative and science fiction.

Yahia Alsallaq

Yahia Alsallaq (he/him) is a student of the MA National and Transnational Studies program at the University of Münster. He obtained his bachelor's in English Studies from the University of Jordan. He is interested in migration studies, memory studies, and resistance literature. His approach to the ACC is through creating spaces of dialogue while breaking the unspeakability of colonialism and its manifestations in current times. He enjoys the sun and is funnier in person.

Roberta di Nunzio

Roberta Di Nunzio (she/her) is an International Master's student in National and Transnational Studies at the University of Münster. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages and Literature with a major in German and Anglo-American Studies from the University of Trieste, Italy. As a second-generation migrant of Italian-Dominican heritage, her academic focus includes Queer migration literature, Afro-Italian, and mixed-race studies. Alongside her work with the Anticolonial Cineclub, she is actively engaged in the EU co-funded MigraMedia Cineclub project, which aims to promote more inclusive and diverse media representations of migration at the University of Münster.

Rushi Jetly

Rushi Jetly(he/him) is currently pursuing a Master's in National and Transnational Studies at the University of Münster's English Department. With experience tutoring English and translating articles in English, Hindi, and Gujarati, Jetly brings a multilingual and interdisciplinary perspective to his work. His research delves into the complexities of nations and nationalism, with a focus on far-right movements in India, their historical roots, and the influence of colonial legacies as reflected in various media. He also explores subjectivities within critical Savarna studies, investigating how modern South Asian families operate at the intersections of caste, class, and gender. Central to his inquiry is the role of queer kinships, which may challenge, perpetuate, or engage with existing structures in entirely new ways. Guided by a philosophy to end religious and caste-based discrimination, he highlights how these issues are transnational in their current form.

Yash Gupta

Yash Gupta (He/Him) is a Master's student in National and Transnational Studies at the University of Münster. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Literary and Cultural Studies, with a minor in Graphic Design, and a diploma in Fine Arts. As a second-generation survivor of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy with multiple dis/abilities, his research focuses on rhizomatic kinships and shared frameworks of dis/abilities in contexts of mass debilitation. Committed to a social and activist praxis towards knowledge co-production, Yash’s research and community initiatives span the disciplines of Critical Disability Studies, Death Studies, South Asian Cultural Studies, Gender & (A)sexuality Studies, and practice-based Animal & Environmental Welfare.