Samora remembered

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
The Zimbabwe International Film Festival opened with a gripping film titled “Camarada Presidente” by a Zimbabwean filmmaker — Mosco Kamwendo — setting the bar for this year’s edition.
Scores of film lovers thronged Westgate SterKinekor for the Opening Night which was also spiced up by music from guest performing artiste — superstar Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits.

The light showers that fell minutes before the start were a blessing as guests quickly moved into the cinema to enjoy the 16th edition themed “Universal African”, a call to celebrate Africa and the wider world’s diversity through film.

“Camarada Presidente” is quite a moving film that was done over a period of seven years.
It is based on the real-life controversy surrounding the death of Samora Moises Machel, a village boy who rises to become a daring guerilla strategist and liberator. But what makes it so poignant is that Machel is not depicted as an unrealistic hero but a real man with love interests and political rivals.

There were laugh-out-aloud moments during no-holds-barred interviews with the likes of Afonso Dhlakama, the leader of RENAMO and Machel’s former girlfriend — Irene Burke.

Although they both claimed to represent the people, Dhlakama’s ideology, views and modus operandi were different from those of Machel, however, which raises interesting debating points for the thinking audience.

Irene Burke, who knew Machel’s from a relationship perspective, pours her heart out but one thing she clearly pointed out was that he a was a principled man.
Then there were other intriguing details of Machel’s life from his widow Graca Machel. Though controversial at times, it was interesting to note how and where they met.

Predictably the film ends in heart-rending tragedy with Machel’s death after a plane crash. Even if you never loved Samora Machel, an icon to rival the likes of Che Guevara and you know that his tragic death is inevitable, when the moment comes, you cannot help wishing that the story could have an impossible magical happy ending.

ZIFF Trust chairman Rachel Kupara said this year’s broad range of offerings would be an experience to savour.
“It is my belief that this year’s programme is the best to date and accordingly, together with my colleagues on the board of trustees commend management for a job exceptionally done.

“We encourage you and your families and friends to come and participate in this annual carnival of film,” she said.
ZIFFT founder and executive director Nigel Munyati said ZIFF has retained its glow.

“Now that ZIFFT has surely recovered its mojo, Trust activities have been focused on consolidating institutional capacity. There is still more work to do but for now, we can comfortably proclaim that the Trust is ready and able to support filmmakers as Zimbabwe’s film-making hub.

“By the end of the festival, ZIFFT will have brought to Zimbabwe over 32 international film experts in areas such as script writing, short film production, documentary film-making, cinematography, pitching, co-production and digital film distribution.

“The ZIFFT 2014 film selection is as impressive as it is diverse. Our online call for submissions generated close to 200 films from which we selected 67 from 32 countries,” Munyati said.

He said festival highlights will be two films that film enthusiasts into the lives of two of Africa’s exceptional sons — the late first President of Mozambique Samora Moises Machel and Nigerian music legend Fela Ransom Kuti.

“In honour of Samora Machel’s greatness, ZIFFT has invited Mrs Garaca Machel and their daughter Josina, to a special screening of ‘Camarada Presidente’ that will also be attended by guests that include Government officials, corporate executives and diplomatic representatives,” Munyati                                                                                 said.

Elsewhere, the fun continues at the festival with a number of exciting local short films lined up and screenings at venues that include The Hub, Book Cafe, Alliance Francaise, Copacabana Taxi Rank (what an interesting site), National Art Gallery, Pakare Paye Arts  Centre and Young Africa.

There are also outreach venues such as Mabvuku, Highfield, Warren Park, Mufakose where there will be screenings and workshops as well as music performances.