Film Record: What a Missionary Does In Africa

Identifier:

• 94801 (Source: National Archives)

Date produced: 1939

Filmmaker(s):

Ray L. Garner

Virginia Garner

Country of Production:

United States

Languages:

English

Length:

3 reels (973 ft)

Format:

16mm

Colour:

B&W

Sound Notes:

Silent

Awards/Recognition:

National Archives list of titled amateur films

Description:

"Documentary: Depicts experiences of a new missionary as he gains self-confidence in his work in the Belgian Congo where the people are suspicious and only slowly accept the mission." National Archives.

Resources:

This film is one of ten produced by the Garners as part of the Africa Motion Picture Project of 1938, which was funded by church denominations and the Harmon Foundation (Movie Makers, Nov. 1939, 559).

Virginia Garner, Images Out of Africa: The Virginia Garner Diaries of the Africa Motion Picture Project, University Press of America, 2011.

This film is a part of the Harmon Foundation Collection held by National Archives.

Locations:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (Filming)

Subjects:

• Education
• Ethnology
•      Manners and Customs
• Indigenous peoples
• Religion
• Africa

Genre:

• Documentary

Form:

• Short

Tags:

Repository:

Harmon Foundation Collection, National Archives

Viewing Notes:

"Reel 1: Missionaries and Congolese greet the new missioner at Bolenge; he visits villages with experienced missionary, preaches, learns the local language, customs and to be a jack-of-all trades. Reel 2: He arrives for assignment at a village; the Congolese are initially suspicious but eventually learn to trust him as he teaches and gives them simple medical aid. Shows Congolese teachers at work. Reel 3: Illustrates missionary activities at Bolenge, including a hospital and clinic, spiritual services and African missionaries," via National Archives.

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