March 2021, 1st Female President, First Females to take a film to the BIG SCREEN all over TANZANIA

 By Caroline Uliwa

From left International Tanzanian Super Model-Happiness Milen Magese, with BINTI's directro
Seko Shamte

As the hours of women’s day drifted into the night this month, an apt film premiered at the Century Cinemax cinema, in Mlimani City mall Dar es Salaam. The film titled Binti which translates ‘young female’ in Kiswahili will be aired to the public from the 9^th of April in ten cinemas across various regions of Tanzania.

The four female stars of Binti with their director from left Godliver Gordian, Helen Hartman, Magdalene Munisi, Seko Shamte & Bertha Robert

The premier night was a star studded event think red carpet, evening gowns the whole enchilada. At the scene were international & local Tanzanian celebrities alike some of which are hard to spot in the city, like international Tanzania supermodels Flaviana Matata & Millen Happiness Magese.

 From left Babbie Kabae & Seko Shamte,
Kabae was the MC at the premier of this film

“It’s my first time attending a local film premier. I was pleased to know I am attending a film by Tanzanians but also one that is directed and produced by female Tanzanians. For me this is a big deal and it gives me great pleasure to be here in support of it.” Millen H. Magese shared her reasons for showing up in support of Binti as well ascertaining the pandemic has allowed her to return in the country. Hence be able to support initiatives like this a sentiment that was echoed by Flaviana Matata. 

Binti the film is directed by Seko Shamte and produced by the Tanzanian production company Black Unicorn Studios, which is co-owned by sisters Angela Ruhinda & Ailinda Ruhinda. The film which has four leading female stars includes seasoned actresses Godliver Gordian-Siri ya Mtungi, Aisha, Homecoming and Magdalena Roy Munisi-former Miss Redds Ilala 2012. Binti also introduces us to newbie’s like actresses Helen Hartman and Bertha Robert. 

The film is poetic as we’re introduced to four stories that are carried on as though stanzas in a poem. Capturing critical events in the lives of four women who know each other in sequence for we don’t get to see them all together.  They are centered at a city but it’s not ascertained which city in Tanzania where the film has a few scenes in rural Tanzania.

The Male co-Stars of this film from left Tanzanian actors Alex Temu & Jonas Mugabe

“It was my first time to act and I actually enjoyed it. A lot of people have bad perceptions about the entertainment industry. We need to change that, I hope films like this can allow us to be proud to let our kids go and act. Let our wives, husbands go and act.” Mme Rita Paulsen Tanzania’s beloved media persona, she appears in a cameo in this movie acting as a gynecologist. 

Present at this premier with her own daughter, she had that to on the importance of having the country’s public understand that film is a notable industry and business. Where she urged the Ministry of Information, Culture; Arts & Sports in Tanzania to support this sector by following up closely on efforts like the making of Binti. Which saw over 100 people from Tanzania working for the film Mme Rita as well added; that the government may not give direct funds to support ventures like this. Yet their endorsement of the same could see local companies like Black Unicorn acquire favorable donors.

From left Alinda & Angela Ruhinda the partners of BlackUnicorn Studios Tanzania the productioncompany that is the main sponsor of this film

The film gives us a young entrepreneur Tumaini, running a mini supermarket making her own ‘chapati’ for sale as well riding a bicycle to distribute eggs. We also have Angel she and Tumaini went to school together. Angel runs a bridal gown salon where Stella is one of her clients. It fairs Rose is also a friend of Stella and her husband. Before you catch that ‘sex & the city’ vibe but in Bongo. The approach of this story is different, we get to see these ladies totally in their individual lives in essence we audience are their compassionate friends.

As we witness them grappling with their life challenges in situ, these challenges range from gender based violence, poverty, reproductive choices. I thought it really brave that the subject of abortion, in Africa’s local context is tackled albeit quickly in this film. The questions of self worth when a woman is barren as well how to deal with a child who has mental challenges; are well addressed in this film. There’s also a resounding modern theme as the central characters ages range from early twenties to late thirties.

Far right Fashion Celebrity Khadija Mwanamboka
attending the premier night of this film

“I didn’t know that the director and producers of this film are female until I went for auditions, I was really impressed. We should support this film for it touches different lives of women in Tanzania and their relationships.”Magdalena Roy Munisi who acts as Stella tells shares. 

It’s true that this film is of international standards with the accolades behind Angela Ruhinda & Seko Shamte’s education. Who’ve both trained in Film in the USA giving a nice boost to the films look & feel. “The making of the film took a little over two years corona delayed the launch. Yes we had a few collaborations with international figures especially in post production, this film had to go to India for color correction then via LA, and sound was done in Egypt.

It’s a funny story the cinematographer Justin Aguirre is from LA, we brought him down here he had never been to Africa. We gave him ‘zege’ ( a local fast food) took him to coco beach. Let’s just say with the culture shock there were whole tales there.” Angela and Ailinda Ruhinda spill the beans on what went on behind the cameras. I learned that Binti is wholly funded by their company that was registered in Tanzania in 2018.

Indeed it is remarkable that these women will manage to bring this film to the big screen in 10 cinemas across the country. In regions of Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma and Zanzibar a feat that has hardly been attained if ever by local films.

On critique for the film, while Binti is bi-lingual with most of the actors speaking both Kiswahili and English; it quickly brings too much English to the table. In a country where this is the third language for the majority, it’s wise if the production team considers giving it Kiswahili subtitles.

International Tanzanian Supermodel Flaviana Matata among the key celebrities
that lifted the premier of this film at Mlimani City Century Cinemax, last month

Trust as a Tanzania you really ought to go support the film as the work put forward is worthy of praise. However it has to be said that the vivacity of the script and the chosen locations of the film. In depicting the true cultural context of Tanzanians is a tad too western. Its true that a young Tanzanian girl watching this will be affirmed in her dream to live in an international modern loft apartment, run her own businesses and stand up and leave an abusive rich fiancé.

However we have to remind her too that not all that is development is western, this by honoring her speech patterns, to the choice of décor that is more authentic from her ancestors life in the village.

The full cast (key members) of film at the end of the film's premier stand for a quick
audience appreciation.

That said I will close by sharing the directors intentions “I really enjoyed making this film, telling women stories. I think the most important thing is for us is to be kind with ourselves. Don’t think that you are in a state of unhappiness because of something external. There’s never going to be a man, there’s never going to be children, money there’s nothing external to you. That’s going to bring you happiness. You can have everything, yet not be in the now because you’re still waiting for something outside yourself to complete you.”

Seko Shamte was clear that this was her intention for Binti and honestly particularly as an East African female, watching it you will come off feeling validated. Binti has already been featured at the Pan African film festival, with two other international film festivals electing it in, be sure to catch as it will also go international after its rounds in Tanzania.

n.b. this article was first published in The East African Newspaper with this link BINTItheeastafrican