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The Nigerian ScamAuthor: The Nigerian Scam
Can the talakawa sorosoke? The Nigerian Scam examines politics, history, and culture from class and ideological perspectives. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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67. Anti-Communism in Enugu: Was Poitier's Film a Warning to Pan-Africanists? A Review of Mark of the Hawk 1957
Episode 67
Saturday, 8 August, 2026
It turns out that Sidney Poitier once starred as a Nigerian anti-colonial leftist, alongside the legendary Eartha Kitt. Shot in Enugu during the waning days of British rule—so historic that Premier Nnamdi Azikiwe temporarily vacated the Premier’s Lodge to let them shoot on site—the 1957 film 'The Mark of the Hawk' is arguably the best reactionary film ever made about Nigeria.But can an obviously anti-communist, Cold War propaganda film actually be entertaining, commendable, and even (partially) historically accurate?In this episode, we unpack how Hollywood viewed African decolonization and how the film mirrors the real-world clashes of Nigeria's independence movement. We dive deep into the different paths taken toward revolution and nation-building—from indigenous rebellions and worker-led uprisings to missionary-informed resignation. We evaluate the movie as both a piece of art and a tool of political propaganda targeting societies trying to throw off the cloak of colonial power in the late 1950s.-What was the ultimate goal of the filmmakers?-Is the film a genius blend of liberal pacifism and anti-communist McCarthyism?-Was this movie actually a cautionary tale aimed directly at the Zikists and other radical anti-colonial activists (including Nkrumahists) ?If you want the answers—and want to hear Eartha Kitt speak Igbo—hit play to find out if this forgotten piece of cinema belongs on your watchlist.
