AFRICAN FILM AND CINEMA
Well where do I start, the purpose of this paper is to gather as much information as possible and talk about Zimbabwean Film and Cinema including Southern Africa where relevant.
First of all I would just like to say that it is a travesty the local cinemas in Zimbabwe are non existant anymore and it is nothing to do with the government, the economy yes. There are now a number of multiplexes in and around the two major cities( Harare and Bulawayo) in a country that used to run mobile cinemas for the rural folk now this is non existent anymore. The government is focused on other issues and this brings me back to the multiplexes, they are focused on just big Hollywood productions which get all the screening times.
Why has there not been anybody in the film industry in Zimbabwe that has taken this issue up? Films are still being made in Zimbabwe but they are not getting any exposure in and out of the country. I don't think that we can blame the government for not getting the work out, there are obviously issues within the industry that prevent this from happening, collaborations should be encouraged if it means that there is just one body responsible for all its a start.
My name is Simbarashe Padzarondora and I would like to say that please do not take this personally we are all entitled to an opinion and the more discuss the more likely you are to get a result. I have been wanting to do this film thing for a while now and I get disappointed a lot but I am determined that it is all for a good reason and that one day I will be able to sit back and enjoy it.
My film contacts in Zimbabwe have been promising me films ( I am based in Scotland for now until October until I move back to Zimbabwe) for the past two months or more now but I have not been able to receive such content. I have been doing film screenings in Scotland mostly through ZIFF( Zimbabwe International Film Festival) but this was only shorts so I started sourcing other options to get a more varied selection. I have spoken to many people all very well established in the Zimbabwe film industry and have been promised their work for my screening, for sales on my website, and possible distribution and broadcasting deals. The work I have been expecting is complete but I don't understand why I have not received this. I have been in touch with some people in the US who are interested in some of the work I have posted on my website and they want the content for their schedules but I am having to delay evrything because the response I am getting is not forthcoming and you cant blame the government for this, if there are issues concerning the shortcoming then they should be discussed to come to some sort of resolution.
I like to get things done and if I have said that I am going to do something I am not going to stop until I get it done and if it means I have to look elsewhere for content to provide to others then so be it but I would really like it to be possible to make it work with the Zimbabwean Filmmakers. With all this carryon I don't understand how you can carry on making films, why people blame the government for their shortcomings because it is you the individual, company or whatever that is responsible for your own destiny, do not wait for somebody to do for you but if you have somebody interested in your work and can only lessen some of that burden for you why not say yes or say no its quick easy and effective. I will be back in Zimbabwe towards the end of the year and I will be kicking some butt. Please feel free to write or add your comments to this........