Film screening: The lions

In the framework of the ASCL's Collaborative Research Group Africa in the World, the documentary film Les lions on the global organization of the Lions Club in Africa, made by the Belgian anthropologist Jean-Frédéric de Hasque, will be screened. See the trailer.

The synopsis
Mourit, Andre Vincent and Joe are great leaders of the Lions Club; one of them is white. The director follows them in their club monitoring meetings in Benin and in Brazzaville. We see them collecting subscriptions and checking the accounts, singing the Lions Club anthem, wearing the uniforms. What emerges from these meetings is the extraordinary motivation within the African Continent clubs. The goal is for Africa to become an independent continent within Lions Club International, dispensing with the current Indian and Lebanese guardianship. But for that, you need to recruit more members. This voluntary action becomes a national and pan-African challenge for African Lions and the film highlights the role of various economic and political actors.
The creation of multiple Lions Club gives important economic operators "power” over local populations, the mystique around them increased by their uniforms and decorations. Members doing charitable works have the status of "free benefactor", like Senators of ancient Rome. One could describe their associative pan-Africanism as a neoliberal reconquest initiated by the Lions Club.

After the film there will be a Q&A session. Language: English. Convenor: Mayke Kaag.