Meet & Bumps at ZIFF’15

Twitter: @CarolAnande Instagram: @CarolAnande Facebook: @CarolAnande

On films 'Eye of the Cyclone' & 'Jaya'

Tentative steps walk on a long corridor, on the opposite chambers wails can be heard taunting for a comment from the passerby. This is happening on film, a lawyer is looking to meet a prisoner for the first time in a maximum security prison. I’ve just landed in Zanzibar a few hours earlier, already I am swept in the gust of events that is ZIFF film festival.

It’s around 8pm on the 21st of July; at the Amphitheatre on a projector screen is ‘Eye of the Cyclone’ a feature film from Burkina Faso directed by Sekou Traore.  It was uncanny & refreshing to see African life aptly portrayed on this film. As it wasn’t another film based on a remote village that’s war trodden with Malaria patients in Africa; rather it gave balanced outlooks from the higher middle class, the working class and the average villager. 

A scene from 'eye of the cyclone' with
lead actress Maimouna N'Diaye at ZIFF recently

The lead actress Maimouna N’Diaye gave an engaging performance with her co-star Fragass Assande who gave a stellar performance. You simply must look out for this film, which takes a close look at the repercussions of children soldiers. The film has already scooped the Signis Award for ‘Commendation’ at this ZIFF festival as well several awards including Best Actress and Best Actor at the Ouagadougou Panafrican Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) this year.

On this night I as well watched ‘Jaya’ a short film by Director Puja Maewal. I again have to commend the actress Falmida Shaikh, in the film dressed as a boy. She’s in a street gang of three; she wears the disguise so as to protect herself from the harsh life on the streets of Mumbai. This film came out in 2013. So far it’s been screened on several international platforms, scooping various awards from the likes of Bangladesh International Short Film Festival to Madrid International Film Festival & Directors Guild of America.

With Sosoliso Kidumbak, Joti & Team, Chemical & Yamoto Band

Wanamuziki na watumbuizaji wa 'Sosoliso Kidumbak',
wakitumbuiza washabiki wa kidumbak na
taarab ndani ya tamasha la ZIFF hivi karibuni Zanzibar

After seeing this I was at the Ngome Kongwe grounds, on stage at the far end performing was Sosoliso Kidumbak troupe with their lead singer Mohammed Othman. The group is from DCMA-The Dhow Music Academy where Mohammed is the head teacher. Tonight in his white ‘kanzu and kibarakashee’, he’s comfortable holding a violin and playing it good whilst singing. 

Wacheshi (toka kushoto) Joti na MacGregan
wakituacha hatuna mbavu wakiwa
wanacheza miziki ya kihindi huku
wamevalia mavazi ya tamaduni hiyo...

Together with his band off odd instruments in one ensemble; they clearly depict the diverse cultural heritage of Zanzibar. They play a few songs some in clear ‘Taarab’ style others in a fusion of Kidumbak and Taarab with the rest in pure Kidumbak style. The audiences loved their pieces most of which had two female dancers winding their waists in a mesmerizing fashion.

We then had comic strips from comedians ‘Joti, Mpoki, McGregan and their whole crew; of course at some point McGregan dons on the Indian Kurta with turban while Joti wears the female Ghangar Cholis. Just looking at them will have you bursting with laughter, then after seeing them dance with theatrical expressions of romance to an Indian song left all of us cracking up.

I got to see Claudia Ruba with her stage name ‘Chemical' it was refreshing to see a female rapper, catching up with her after the performance. It was to learn she’s a student at the University of Dar es Salaam in the Fine Arts Department. She’s 20 years old and has been drawn to perform hip hop since her 'O’levels in 2009. She’s clearly one to watch out for. It was time to shed a few pounds when Yamoto band stepped on stage. They had the crowds dancing
including the little ones.

Meet & Greet with film makers #YabaBadoe, #EbeleOkoe, # VincentBaumont #JonRabaud

Rising female rapper Chemical a.k.a Claudia Ruba
Akishusha mistari kwenye jukwaa la Ngome Kongwe
wakati wa tamasha la ZIFF hivi karibuni

The next day on Wednesday the 22nd July; I began the day by roaming the streets looking for breakfast. After grabbing a snack at a local joint in Stone Town, I walked to Africa House hotel where a press conference was to take place. Alerting us what was in store for the day at ZIFF.

The view of the coast from this hotel was beautiful, so of course I take a selfie. Thankfully a gentleman who I later learn is film director Jon Rabaud; offers to take a photo of myself on the balcony with the lovely blues as the background. 

Lara Preston the Media liaison for ZIFF begins the conference with introductions soon after we’re meeting film directors and actors. Rowen Nielsen is Canadian, she’s the director of the film ‘Night Runners’ which will premier later on this day at the festival. She’s brought with her some of the cast including Kenyan actor Neville Misati. They’re busy chatting about the film which as an idea began years ago; when Rowen visited this remote part of Kenya bordering Lake Victoria. Where Faustine Odiambo’s (another actor in the film present) mother runs an orphanage ‘little stars’ which she volunteers in. 

Yamoto Band rocking their fans on the Ngome Kongwe
stage in Zanzibar during the ZIFF festival recently

As homage to the children at Little Stars, she works to shoot this film. A percentage of the profit will go to the orphanage. The film takes a leaf from the local’s superstition namely the ‘night runners’, ensuring the feature film is a beautiful horror flick. Portraying adventures of two young women volunteers from Canada; who work at this school in a remote village by Lake Victoria in Kenya. I went to the premiere and I was quite impressed to see a well executed horror film from Africa. 

     

Also at the press conference was Mauritian filmmaker Jon Rabaud; he got to explain of his Short film ‘Red Card’. Released during the world cup season last year, it’s aptly named but has nothing to do with football. With lead actress Vilay Burrel who according to Dr Mhando “She gave a great performance…” The film is part of a campaign in Mauritius supported by the government there, to bringing awareness to gender violence against women. This as Jon mentions “…It’s a big problem in Mauritius, so when I was called and asked if I could shoot something to bring the issue to light; I was like of course…”

A still from the feature film 'Night Runners' by Director Rowan
Nielsen shot in Kenya during its premier at Maru Maru
Hotel in the ZIFF film festival recently

We as well got to hear from Vincent Baumont a French native, who is the director for the documentary ‘Red over the rainbow’ shot in Vietnam. He apparently was positively struck at how Vietnam still considered a developing nation; was so progressive in the fight for gay rights. 

In this documentary he features gay individuals and transgender persons, relaying tales of their lives; their challenges. As well their participation in ‘Gay Pride’ an activist march which began in 2012 in Hanoi and continues annually to date. Having only seen the trailer I wish I had gotten to see the film. As it stands Vietnam may be the first Asian country to legalize gay marriage.

The two female Directors who impressed me greatly
at the press conference in Africa House Hotel on the
22nd July'15; from left Ebele Okoye from Nigeria
& Yaba Badoe from Ghana

Finally it was two African lady directors on the hot seat. They won me over with the tale of their works; namely Yaba Badoe from Ghana who directed the documentary ‘The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo and Ebele Okoye from Nigeria; who is the executive producer of the animation Short ‘Legacy of Rubies'.

Yaba who is a documentary filmmaker working with the BBC in London, explained why she thought it’s important to work on this project. 

“Here’s a woman who’s a hero on the continent with an amazing body of work. Yet no one has thought to capture her life story on film; I knew how important her story is and so I pushed for this project.” She went on to explain how the project ended up being saved by crowd funding coming from the diaspora as well individual entrepreneurs on the continent amounting to 45,000USD. 

The documentary film follows Aidoo over a course of one year during which she travels to her ancestral village in the central region of Ghana. She receives a Festschrift organized by friends and colleagues at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She then attends the premier of her seminal play about the local African experiences of the slave trade, Anowa, performed by UCSB Theater.

From left Director for ZIFF festival Dr Martin Mhando,
John Rhubarb director of Short 'Red Card' & Ebele Okoye
Director of Animation Short 'The Legacy of Rubies' 

It wasn’t easy for Yaba and her team to conjure the budget that made this documentary a reality. I was very touched when I asked her why she thought it so important to tell African stories from Africa. She replied if we don’t tell and see our own stories, we lose a piece of our identity and subsequently our confidence. Then we have leaders who easily falter when swayed by donor funding to move to the whims of the ‘investors’ instead of working to build countries from the ground up.

Speaking with Ebele it was to find similar inspiration, currently a resident of Germany. Ebele knew since she was in her early teens, when visited by Jehovah witnesses on her doorstep. After being handed a pamphlet with animation stories with an introduction on the origins of animation. Holding that pamphlet she knew then, what she wanted to be when she grew up

Bi Shakila akiimba ndani ya tamasha la ZIFF
hivi karibuni pale Ngome Kongwe Zanzibar

It wasn’t going to be easy for her to garner this education, “In my twenties I was painting, I managed to sell a few paintings to experts here and there. The money I used to get to Germany, where there are courses in Animation. It took me several years before I could attend the said courses once I arrived in the country.”

Today Ebele has put to the world ‘Legacy of Rubies’ a high quality African animation short film with a full cast of Africans. I got to watch this Short and was quite impressed with ‘Mfalme’ the main character. A brave young man who becomes king, despite being deserted by his family since a baby only to reunite with his father on his death bed.

The story line is simple but the editing gave it body, better yet the world which Ebele worked tirelessly since 4 years ago to create, is so heartwarming with its African traditional imagery. She initially put 10,000USD of her own money into the project and the rest she managed to source as funds from donors. “I am looking to sell the work to airlines like Lufthansa, but yes it’s been a labor of love…” notwithstanding she lost three of her close family members during the making of this film. These two women left me reinvigorated with passion for my own quest of telling uplifting African stories.

On the film 'Price of Love'

A still from the feature film 'Price of Love' by Director
Hermon Hailay from Ethiopia screening at the Ngome
Kongwe Amphitheater during the ZIFF festival recently 

Later on in the night at Ngome Kongwe amphitheater; I got to see ‘A price of Love’ with director Haimon Hailey. Filmed in Ethiopia it was a treat to look at another African culture, portrayed in soundtracks and landscapes including a lovely centuries old cathedral. The story line depicts a young couple who meet in dire circumstances, the main character a young man who’s a taxi driver. 

Is forced through the girl to revisit his past and deal with conflicts he thought he had well buried. In this the story is well layered, I for one didn’t like the ending. Then again I am sure many won’t; this feature film won the Bi Kidude (Chairman’s award) at this ZIFF Festival. 

With #PatriciaHilal, #BiShakila, #Bushoke, #TID-'Mnyama' #BrianMugenyi

The veteran Taarab singer from mainland
Patricia Hilal serenading the crowds with
classic Taarab songs at ZIFF recently

Later on it was time to face the music literally at the Ngome Kongwe grounds where on stage, we had veteran taarab singer ‘Bi Shakila’ known as Shakila Said Khamis. She’s 66 years old and has had the privilege of working with the late legendary Siti Bin Saad as well Bi Kidude was her mentor. She stood regally singing taarab classics. Later she was followed by another veteran though younger than she, namely Patricia Hilal she played taarab goldies like ‘Jamani Mapenzi’, Njiwa & Mi mdodo mdodo. 

Brian Mugenyi the saxophonist
from Uganda performing at ZIFF
recently with some brilliant local
musicians at the Ngome Kongwe
stage 

Patricia’s vocal pipes still ring with youth despite being on stage since the 80’s. Catching up with her after her show it was to get secrets to her keeping so young. Which she shared as exercise and a diet which includes ‘ocra’ and ‘nyanya chungu’ as well fruits and plenty of water. I asked her whether she thought taarab music today is progressing. She responded “…the music is dwindling. What you hear today isn’t taarab like we used to sing it. You’re hearing ‘rusha roho’, ‘kanga moja’ which is sensational music and weak versions of this beautiful genre.”

TID doing his 'thang' at the ZIFF festival
recently on the Ngome Kongwe stage

Supporting her claim it was sad to see these two legends being accompanied by rookie musicians from THT. Not meaning to put their expertise down but these two legends deserved a taarab orchestra; which would have musicians who can play instruments like the Oud, Cello, and Canoon none of these were present. 

Among the pioneer of Swahili r&b Mr Bushoke
performing during ZIFF festival recently

Still for the following musicians namely Bushoke and TID among the pioneers of Bongo Flava; it was refreshing to see them performing with a live band. Hearing their vocals one could get nostalgic. Till today the lyrics ‘Mbona wanitazama, kisha waanza kulia. Kama nimekukosea naomba unisamehe….’ keep ringing in my head from hearing them live from Bushoke’s lips on this night. 

It was refreshing to see these two stars looking good and getting better like wine.

On Photo Exhibition #BabaBora

From the exhibition by 'Save the Children' showing
at Forodhani garden grounds during the
ZIFF festival recently

I ended my night by going to forodhani gardens to grab a bite. Lo behold, I bumped into another art display. That being of photographer Benk Bicks who hired by the organization ‘Save the Children’ under the EU produced some 12 images.

From the campaign ‘Baba Bora’ which the organization produced adjacent to workshops its been holding in sensitizing the public in Zanzibar and mainland on child abuse. Encouraging better parenting, it was children from the workshops who came up with tips of what they enjoy as quality parenting. The tips were then translated into photographs. I loved the one where the kids mention ‘I love to hear stories about what my father used to do when he was a boy like me’.

I ended my journey at ZIFF on that note, it was a riveting two days and I was very impressed with this festival which went with the slogan. ‘Waves and visions of hope’ it was soo refreshing to see films that didn’t merely entertain, but really took to lend a voice to the pertinent issues of our times. Here actresses didn’t make me feel less beautiful rather they inspired me to be more compassionate. Stories like those of Ama Ata Aidoo told me to keep being; keep fighting for the African vision.

Photo by Benj Bicks from the exhibition by
'Save the Children' in their campaign 'Baba Bora' at
Forodhani Gardens during the ZIFF festival in Zanzibar

Of course this festival wouldn’t happen without the sponsors who include: ZUKU TV, FastJet, Com.Net, ZATI-opening doors, Kilimanjaro Fast Feries Ltd, WIMSA, Ford Foundation, Zanlink, Save the Children, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Goethe Institut, Tausi Palace Hotel, Zanzibar Maha Safaris, Zanzibar Grand Palace Hotel, Al Minar Hotel, and many more. Together with the team at ZIFF ahsanteni!   

A scene from 'eye of the cyclone\ at the Amphitheatre
at Ngome Kongwe during ZIFF Festival recently

Audiences at Ngome Kongwe grounds ready to
enjoy the musical part of ZIFF

Vimbwanga vya Joti na McGregan ndani ya ZIFF

TID doing his 'thang' at the ZIFF festival
recently on the Ngome Kongwe stage

Members of Sosoliso Kidumbak from 'The Dhow Music
Academy' performing on the Ngome Kongwe stage at ZIFF'15

Mohammed Othman the lead of the
group 'Sosoliso Kidumbak' performing deftly
at the ZIFF festival recently

From left Media Personell for ZIFF Lara Preston, Actor
Neville Misati from Kenya, Director Rowen Nilson;
Actor & Activist Faustine Odiambo all part of the film
'Night Runners' which premiered at this festival