In a slightly oblique response to some of the discussion around african- americans in film. The question of race (ism) seems be at two levels. we can say that there has been some movement in casting of people of colour, in particalar african-amercians in mainstream film to the extent that the characterisation no longer revolves around the stud/criminal for men and the prostitute/maid for women (crudely put I know, but i'm sure you'll recognise what i mean). There remains the problem of whose story is being told in the films which cast actors of colour. Which moves the problem onto a level which is beyond only representations of characters towards the problems of the institution, the question of who controls the power to make decisions about the stories told. I already mentioned cheyl dunye's 'watermelon woman' but will do so again since it is a film which articulates these types of concerns. as a film which provides a critique of the history of the industry, whilst also making points about more contemproary concerns around race and sexuality, and putting into the play a questioning of fiction vs history it is very interesting. aylish ------------------- Aylish Wood Department of American and Canadian Studies University of Nottingham Nottingham NG7 2RD ---- Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the University of Alabama.