Celebrating Africa in Hillywood

Tonight (July 17, 2011) I attended a reception hosted by the US Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission.  The reception was for the US Film Industry. I did not want to go because I thought it was going to be so boring, but I am glad that I went I met a lot of cool people from the US and Rwandan film industry.

The Rwanda Cinema Centre was founded 7 years ago to promote films in Rwanda. The majority of people living in Rwanda have never even seen a television let along a movie. In the seventh year they are finally beginning to see the real fruits of their labor of love. The founder of the centre Eric Kabera has been working tireless for years in the United Kingdom and America.  For the last few years they have been hosting the Rwanda Film Festival, but this year is really special because there will be films from Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya and some other countries. The reason this is really great is because the distribution of films in Africa is really poor. Most African filmmakers don’t have a way to allow others to see their films besides giving them away. They also don’t even know when each other make films. The Rwanda Cinema Centre is working really hard to build a network so they can help promote each other’s work. Therefore, the theme of this year’s festival is “Celebrating Africa in Hillywood.” I had a very interesting conversation with the director of the Rwanda Cinema Centre , Pierre Kayitana.

This Saturday July 23, 2011, the Kwetu Film Institute will open its doors in Kigali, Rwanda. There is an already estimated 500 people from East Africa that are seeking admission into the Institute. As I stated earlier the reception was for the US Film Industry. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (the people that put on the Academy Award/Oscars) heard about Eric Kabera and Hillywood through a short film on the internet about 3 years ago. So their International Outreach Committee is in the country to provide workshops in Script writing, film editing, cinematography, sound mixing, production, etc.

The irony of all this ---- there is not one movie theater in the country of Rwanda. However, the work to develop a film industry in Rwanda will be one more way to improve the economy here. There are plans underway to build a movie theatre and you can believe the day it opens I will be there.  

So now on to the really cool people that I met. Of course you know I already talked with Eric Kabera and his wife Alice (a very nice couple). I met Cleophas Kabasiita, she is a Rwanda film actress staring in film entitled “Kinyarwandan” which won a Sundance Film award and was nominated for a 2011 Oscar; it will be in theaters this November --- make sure ya’ll go out and support the movie. I met Edward a Rwandan film maker who won an award at last year’s Canne Film Festival. Philippe had the “honor” of attending this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. A film maker named Christian Gakombe I met actually said he would like to make a documentary on the work that I am doing here.  I met Phil Robinson who directed the movie “Field of Dreams” starring Kevin Costner, Willie Burton (a sound mixer), Wynn Thomas (a production designer), Carol Littlejohn (a film editor) and Stephanie Allain a producer. She told me she is producing a movie with Tyler Perry. The director of the film they are producing is the young lady who wrote the screenplay for “Drumline.” The most amazing person that I met was the actor Alfre Woodard, star of such films as Miss Firecracker, Down in the Delta, Crooklyn, Love and Basketball and The Family that Preys Together. I really did not have an opportunity to say more than hello because she was really there to talk with the Rwandans who are trying to make a living in the film industry but I was still grateful for the opportunity to say hello and shake her hand.  

So! for an event that I did not want to attend, it turned out to be a great evening. I will try to post a blog on any of the films that I will attend.

Africa Light

Since I have been in Rwanda a lot of people’s conversations have centered around what is it really like to be there. I have found it be a place of paradoxical juxtaposition. For all of their outward political progressiveness --- they are a very conservative country and people with all the undercurrents that come with socio-economic status, the ills of society and the people that are regulated to the invisible sub-populations --- that are not talked about in the “company of decent folks.”

JUST A REMINDER TO ME THAT PEOPLE AND SOCIETY ARE THE SAME THE WORLD OVER NO MATTER THE COUNTRY OR CULTURE.

 Most Americans concept of Rwanda is the movie “Hotel Rwanda.” The citizens of Rwanda are working really hard to put the 1994 genocide behind them. The 100-day genocide was the culmination of years of hatred and violence between members the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. Not unlike the hatred and violence between Black and White America from Slavery to the Civil Rights Movement. Just like in America there is a true Spirit of Reconciliation among a majority of Rwandans; however, just like in America there is still that segment of the population who wishes to continue to propagate that hatred and violence. 

Rwanda is positioning itself to be what is termed “Africa Light.”  They are seeking to be a “Beacon of Light” among and within the East African Community. They are working feverously to advance and improve their health sector as well as their technological sector by partnering with other institutions from around the world. They want to become a shining example, model as well as their “Brother’s Keeper” to their citizens and brothers in sisters in their neighboring countries

I solicit your prayers of support and encouragement as they continue this journey. I also ask your prayers for the victims and families of the violent uprising in the Congo, near the Rwandan and Ugandan borders. Lastly pray for the continued success of the newest African country ---  SouthernSundan --- as they separate from Sundan .       

Kwita Izina

Kwita Izina and it means “To give a name,” it is a joyous event and occassion to welcome a child into the family and community. This tradition was adapted to the endangered gorillas in 2004.

I had the opportunity to attend the 7^th Annual gorilla naming ceremony at the National Volcano Park in Kinigi, Rwanda.  This year’s theme was “Every name has a story….” At this event each year they official name all of the baby gorillas that were born during the past year. This year they named 21 babies.

This event is a really big deal because of the conservation efforts to bring attention of the need to preserve the natural habitats of the Sliver Back gorillas in rain forests and volcanic area of the East Africa region. The event was attended by major heads of international corporations, Ambassadors and other local political leaders.

The only disappointment of the event for me is that you do not see the actual baby gorillas that are being named, because that would be harmful to remove them from their mothers and natural habitat. So what you get are children in gorilla suits. You know I had to work that issue. All in all is was a pretty good way to spend a Saturday. A four hour drive in the mountains (round trip), a local cultural fundraising event and some local food at one of the local hotels on the way home.

When I get the money I guess I will go on one of the gorilla trekking expeditions.