Teshome H. Gabriel, UCLA professor of cinema and media studies, dies at 70

Teshome H. Gabriel, a longtime professor of cinema and media studies in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, died of sudden cardiac arrest on June 15. He was 70.

Gabriel taught at UCLA for more than 30 years and was known for his extensive knowledge of Third World cinema, which focuses on films made in non-aligned countries during the Cold War. He was also a renowned expert in postcolonial texts, or writings about the impact of colonization from a more modern point of view.

As a result, Gabriel’s research helped to bring an understanding of filmmaking from marginal areas of the world, said Nicholas Browne, vice chair of cinema and media studies and a colleague of Gabriel’s for 32 years.

“He became quite prominent in showing how storytelling and style in films (from the Third World) are different than Western ideas about film form,” Browne said. “He provided an important starting point for consideration of distinctive styles outside of the U.S. and Europe.”

Using his expertise, Gabriel founded several successful journals, such as “Emergences: Journal for the Study of Media and Composite Cultures,” and “Tuwaf,” an Ethiopian fine arts journal.

At the time of his death, he was also working on a collection of his writing, as commissioned by an English publisher. While this was never completed, Browne said the department is currently trying to determine whether it can be finished.

But in addition to his own scholarship, Gabriel was well known for his dedication to students and his caring personality.

“Having professors who were really willing to mentor you was vital and that was always Teshome,” said Bambi Haggins, a UCLA alumna and director of film and media studies at Arizona State University who was advised by Gabriel during her dissertation. “He had such a generous spirit in every way possible.”

In spite of Gabriel’s accomplishments, Haggins said he never diminished anyone and instead empowered students and their ideas.

“He was always helping me to grow,” she said, adding that Gabriel was a surrogate father to her after her own father died.

Gabriel’s commitment to students is best illustrated in his unconventional office hours. Both students and colleagues alike mentioned that the professor was available for discussion from the moment he arrived on campus to the minute he left.

“He was approachable and had a good spirit,” said Heather Collette-VanDeraa, one of Gabriel’s current graduate students, adding that his choice of informal meeting locations like LuValle Commons made their discussions less intimidating and more personal.

Gabriel integrated this intimate approach to learning into the classroom, as he encouraged participation during both lectures and seminars, sometimes even passing a microphone around the room for students to voice their opinions.

During his classes, Gabriel often lectured on films dealing with important political context and social change, as he wanted to teach about social issues to encourage his students to think, said Stephen Mamber, a professor of cinema and media studies and one of Gabriel’s colleagues.

In addition to the content of his classes, Gabriel was also known for his unique style of teaching, which incorporated metaphors and stories to facilitate an exchange of ideas.

Gabriel’s relationship with his colleagues was also marked by a congenial and considerate approach.

“It’s impossible to hear footsteps in the hallway and not think it’s Teshome coming by to give a kind and helpful word,” Mamber said.

Since the colleagues’ offices were separated by only a few doors, Mamber said Gabriel would often stop to ask about him and his family, particularly Mamber’s young children. As Gabriel was a father to two adult children, he would often share anecdotes with Mamber about what to expect at certain ages and compare notes about child rearing.

In addition, Gabriel would often remember to ask about what his colleagues were teaching in their classes, an important trait Mamber said is rare to find in universities.

“He was quite inspirational both as a teacher and friend and a very good role model,” said Dennis Lo, one of Gabriel’s graduate students who had been working with Gabriel on his dissertation. “I was looking forward to a lifetime of collaboration with him. He was a very distinguished scholar … a real pioneer in film.”

Gabriel was born on Sept. 24, 1939, in Ticho, Ethiopia.

As the student body president at his school during the Cold War, Gabriel was sought after by both the Soviet Union and the U.S., as both powers were looking to influence college students in non-aligned countries, Browne said.

He eventually came to the U.S. in 1962 to study political science at the University of Utah. He also received his master’s degree in educational media from the university in 1969.

Gabriel came to UCLA in 1974 and began teaching while also pursuing a master’s degree in theater arts and later a doctorate in film and television studies.

While at UCLA, Gabriel was a peer and mentor to a circle of predominantly black filmmakers, such as Charles Burnett. These students’ work eventually became part of the unofficial Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers.

Gabriel was also involved with the Ethiopian community.

He is survived by his wife Maaza Woldemusie, and their two adult children, daughter Mediget and son Tsegaye.