For a course on African colonialism, I used Jean-Marie Teno's
"Afrique, je te plumerai" (1992), a brilliant rendering of the
colonial period and its neo-colonial aftermath in Cameroon. It's in
French with English subtitles, and has a layered narrative style
(including good use of archival film footage) that sets out
historical trends very effectively. Since it begins and ends with
contemporary political issues surrounding democratic opposition to
President Paul Biya, and delves into the continuing effect of French
cultural hegemony (esp. with regard to publishing), it would also
work well for courses on modern Africa (history or politics).
Available from California Newsreel distributors.