SCI-CULTURA

Gertjan Zuilhof is a programmer for the Rotterdam International Film Festival, who like many others, recognises the paucity of African cinema on the world stage. With a view to do something about this, and bring Africa to the big screen in Rotterdam in early 2010, Zuilhof has proactively set off to a number of African countries (6 or 7). Over a time period spanning about 5 months, he and his travelling film makers will meet with African film makers to make films. He’s chronicling his experiences in his tongue-in-cheek travel diary blog with a title to match: Forget Africa. (h/t Wise Kwai)

In my quest for a local cinema that I do not yet know, I am accompanied by an international film maker to each country. To share our curiosity. To let film makers meet  film makers (as to catch thieves with thieves). I will describe more along the way, but this is the basic idea of Forget Africa. We will try forget a few preconceptions on Africa and will meet anybody who calls himself film maker.

I like Zuilhof’s openess, curiosity and not to mention his quirky sense of humour, which all convey, to my mind, a genuine desire to learn. It seems to me that in the larger scheme of things within the African cinema arena, this initiative is one of many practical steps in addressing a significant issue. There is also, of course, action from within the continent. So far, Zuilhof and his in-and-out contingent of film makers, notably majority from South-East Asia, have been to Yaoundé, Douala, Buea (Cameroon), Durban (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda), Blantyre (Malawi) and Tanzania (Dar-es-Salaam).

Malaysian filmmaker Tan Chui Mui’s shot in 58 on Albany bar in Durban © Forget Africa

Whilst I wholeheartedly commend their efforts, I must admit an initial nagging slither of reservation as I  was surprised not to see any photos with a local (African) film maker behind the camera amongst those posted on the blog. This was quickly extinguished by a write-up I stumbled upon.

[Rotterdam Film] Festival organisers say it will be the most extensive programme devoted to contemporary independent African film-making held at any Western film festival in recent years.

…

As part of the focus, there will also be a showcase called African Market Days, which will include storyteller’s cinema, innovative re-interpretations of soundtracks by African musicians, films by hidden masters and pioneers, rare films from archives and events and live performances. It will be organised Alice Smits and Lee Ellickson, co- directors of the Amakula Kampala International Film Festival in Uganda.

I remain curious about the stories that will be told by the film makers that Zuilhof et al encounter and interact with during their discoveries. After all, as I’m sure he’ll agree, bringing Africa to the big screen is more than about the location, actors, or ‘exotic’ source of inspiration.