This wide-ranging, richly discussible documentary provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience everyday West African life and viewpoints from the ground level. The film presents a sensitive set of interviews with a variety of engaging West Africans and allows them to speak for themselves about the everyday realities of their lives and the effects on them of the economic, political, and ecological issues confronting the region and the wider world. Filmmaker Nathaniel Cogley proves to be an ideal interlocutor, drawing unrehearsed and thoughtful commentary from villagers, barbers, butchers, market vendors, hunters, craftsmen, officials, and others in Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone.Dakar to Port Loko: Perspectives from West Africa is divided into four parts, each exploring a different country and a different set of issues. The film is specifically designed for classroom use. It avoids the biased and the sensationalist commentary that so often characterize documentaries on Africa, instead focusing solely on the Africans’ own perspectives and opinions. The film’s open-ended presentation will stimulate thought, analysis, and discussion in a wide variety of classes in African studies, economic development issues, cultural anthropology, and Third World studies. It was produced by Nathaniel Cogley. Adding to the film’s educational appeal, the DVD was completely authored by the filmmaker and features some of the best contemporary West African music available. It comes with an accompanying set of discussion questions that highlights some of the key issues and concerns covered in the film.