BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
Tewodros Teshome is among the leading film producers in Ethiopia. He has been producing films that are educational entertaining for more than 2 decades. Recently he won the pan African film award.
Lately he had a chance to discuss current national issues with the US Congresswoman Karen Bass. In his discussion he has explained the current situation in Ethiopia, how the west should try to understand it, the conspiracy and plot of the defunct TPLF terrorist groups … etc. Ethiopian Press Agency has interviewed Tewodros on his motives to hold the briefing to the US congresswoman and what other citizens and artists like him need to do to the country. Have a nice read:
How do you explain the present Ethiopian situation? What sort of feeling do you have?
I think Ethiopia would reach a greater echelon has there been no war. The damage these days is by far greater than that of the previous days. What makes me sad is; the people who died from both sides are Ethiopian brothers. Apart from the death of citizens, what bothers me more is the difficulty of recovering the country’s economy afterwards. Whoever wins the war, what worries me is the future of Ethiopia.
Unless God interferes in the issue and solves it simply, the present situation in the country will humiliate all Ethiopians. We will all regret what is going on at the moment. Our compatriots are dying. Indeed, we were forced to engage in the war to ensure our existence. It is shameful to call it war as the soldiers dying from two sides are Ethiopians. Except for TPLF, the armed forces are fighting to make sure that Ethiopia prevails.
TPLF is fighting to be an autonomous kingdom by destabilizing the rest of Ethiopia. This is very embarrassing. In this 21st century, countries solved differences through dialogue and banned themselves rather than engaging in war. Opening war on the defence force is a big disgrace. Instead of national issues, it is the ego of individuals which destabilizes the country. As a result, the death of Ethiopians from both sides makes me sad.
Where does the biased thinking of the westerners come from? Why do they echo their voices for TPLF terrorist group? What is the very reason behind them to do all these?
Connection and favoritism are some of the reasons. While TPLF was in power, it had deployed 90 per cent of diplomats to western countries from the Tigray ethnic group. These people had been contacted with western governments and international
organizations while they represented Ethiopia. They are now using this network which was already built in previous days. This is one.Second, it was TPLF members who controlled some 70 per cent of the nation’s economy and that money has now been taken away from home. The money is used to fund TPLF’s terrorist move in Ethiopia. The money that had been flowing to Ethiopia in the form of grants and donations were already looted by the legal gangsters of TPLF. This is the reason the mega projects started are still not finalized.
They prepared thinking this day would come. The fake map I showed to Congress Woman was prepared by TPLF. They even published the wrong Ethiopian map in the elementary school books. They classified the people in terms of racial identity in their preparation to be an autonomous country in the long run. They brought a divide and rule system.
In the 27 years, they forced Ethiopians to hate their country, divided the people in racial identity, the forced people to worry only about an ethnic group they belong to and embarrassed those who talk about Ethiopianism. They cancelled history education from the school’s curriculum. They did all these to achieve the hidden agenda. Even if their vision is gloomy, one can respect them for the commitment they had to achieve the target set. I could not find the formula why they prefer to disintegrate Ethiopia even if they have had the opportunity to change the country working together with others.
What inspired you to communicate with Congresswoman Karen Bass? As you are a filmmaker, nobody expected to have a chance to meet a world politician like her.
Just nine months have passed since the war was ignited. Over the past months, the reputation of the country has also been defamed. Since we are now perceived as a bad government, weakness is observed on our side. They access this through the network built over the past 27 years. This has happened not because America does not want the progress of Ethiopia. However, there are several Ethiopians who have a high network but may not be aware of what to do.
If I went such a distance, Ethiopians residing in western countries should meet influential people and convince them better than I did. This inspired me to do it. Had diplomats made it possible, I would have had no interest to engage in this. What inspired me to do so is the love of my country. I do that to be a model for others.
I won the pan African film award; it is the biggest film festival for black people in the world. Ayuko Babu and his wife are the founder and organizers of this film festival. They invited me when there is a film festival there. We have been deliberating on raising many important issues centralizing film and related issues. There is a film I will make at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. They want to work as my agent. I requested them to cooperate with me to rebuild my country’s reputation.
Surprisingly, they heard the fake news about Ethiopia from the international media. I told them the reality. Within 50 years, Ethiopians for the first time elected the leader they wanted. If the country tumbles down as international media outlets report, Ethiopians could not elect their leader. They feel discomforted as the country has obtained a leader who is aggressively toiling to realize a united Ethiopia and makes the westerners anxious.
They were surprised by the fact they listened. And asked me what they can do. I asked them to communicate with Karen Bass. They have communicated with the congresswomen after four months of trials. In this regard, I want to express my gratitude to Babu and his family.
Do you think that you have met your objective? What do you expect?
In the presentation, I forgot one important paragraph which says Tigray State has its heroes. Ras Alula died in the Dogali war front to ensure the sovereignty of Ethiopia. Atse Yohannes also died in the Mettema area to do the same. I jumped on one important paragraph because I was anxious due to the time. I have a plan to raise it while we will make it to the second deliberation. After I addressed her, she raised several questions and I responded to some of them as much as I could.
The Diaspora has made a debate siding for Ethiopia regarding the recent problem their country has faced. I think I conveyed a fact-based message to them. They are now familiar with the fact that the war was opened deliberately. I think they will come up with a balanced thought. I am also trying to do the same with other influential people in the world.
What we need to understand is that the government operating in Ethiopia is not an Angel. It is not expected to possess divine perfect. Ethiopia prevails above all the needs we desire to achieve. If all Ethiopians loved the country, we have to know there is one terrorist group that comes in to destroy the country as a whole. We should fight this enemy together. I am a filmmaker and I do not need to do that. The bad feeling I have should not demolish your Ethiopian-ism identity.
Every Ethiopian should put aside their differences and have to toil to make Ethiopia a win. The difference always needs to close; it should be a secondary issue. Now, all Ethiopians should fight for their country. Thus, putting the difference aside, we need to search for a solution for the problem we already faced. The rest of Ethiopians want to be politically correct citizens, however, the issue is beyond personal relationship. If a man from Tigray holds a wrong perception about Ethiopia, anyone should correct him. It is not the time to be bothered to be politically correct. All Ethiopians should give a priority to their country and defend against Ethiopia.
Do you think that some political issues should be the centre of attention for the filmmakers? Will you have a plan to make a film which shows the modern colonization of westerners?
Here, I can explain my wish. I am preparing a film named ‘Sele Enat Hager’ which means ‘about the motherland’, focused on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the challenge it will encounter. I would be very happy if I could complete it. The film will feature the current status of Ethiopia in detail. The racial problems, religious extremism, the unity that has been realized in recent times and forecasting the possible threat of the GERD are some of the issues the film tried to cover. On the other hand, it is good to make a film or episodic drama about the recent government history since the time it took power to date. As a filmmaker, if you see the whole scenario, you can come up with a wonderful story. I have been collecting information about what has happened every week. I am now organizing the idea.
All the diplomats, activists and those who have a chance should make a debate on the current problem we have. However, it is important to go back and refer to the issue, as they may forget it or not be familiar with it. Since the beginning, TPLF group members talk about it as if they made the people free and still loved them. However, CNN was the first media outlet that exposed that the people did not accept them. This was a practical lesson for TPLF even if they had not accepted it. They were ruling the country as they were the only armed force in the country. It is a video which vividly shows the then situation in the country.
The youth of that time appeared in front of the media and said; “we are under the gun” and “We are in prison.” The journalist said; Even if the transition was peaceful, Ethiopians are feeling as if they are being invaded by armed forces.” The map I showed for the US congresswoman is not the map I developed. It is a map of the country that served for 100 years. That map showed what the map of the then Tigray State looked like.
The new generation is not familiar with it. The westerners may not have the interest to search and know about it as it is not their agenda. TPLF told us some places as part of Tigray but there is no western Tigray in the previous map which we received from our ancestors. If westerners speak about the issue, they have spoken in such a way but holding erroneous information. To do that the easiest way is browsing Google drive as I can do it. It is not a big deal that requires effort.
Do you have a special interest in history I showed while you had been presenting the country’s history in a very articulated manner?
To be speaking as I am an Ethiopian citizen, I have to know the history of my country first, assisted by the book written by my ancestors and understand it well. If I love my country, I have to speak about major historical events. If I am not doing so, it should put a question mark on the statement that I am Ethiopian. Thus, all Ethiopian citizens should know the history of their country.
Black American politicians like Susan Rice are showing support for TPLF. How can artists like you reveal this reality to the black community to impose pressure on these politicians?
The problem is not a black community. The amount of information that has been conveyed negatively by some lobbyists who are hired by TPLF has changed the mindset of the westerner’s people. In addition, there is favoritism. TPLF supporters and members have also approached influential people as intimate friends. As I said before, the money is in the hands of these people. It is TPLF members who are leading luxurious lives. They have the opportunity to access these people simply. A big network has been stretched for them through our embassies.
Both the white and black Americans except those who have been working for the US government, all the westerners have biased information about the current scenario in Ethiopia. The quandary has come as we did not provide them with reliable information. On the other hand, TPLF and its cohorts feed them with the information they have been organizing for the past 30 years. The present government is not able to prepare such a document or hire lobbyists as it is an infant stage and proliferate the real information equally.
The (TPLF) members made themselves ready in terms of knowledge and assigned many people to a range of international institutions. However, the worst part is that they made all these to achieve their evil dream. As the network they established is not cut simply, all Ethiopians residing in every corner of the world need to discharge their responsibility by lobbying, be it the black or white people about the evil deeds and dreams of the TPLF terrorist group and the problem Ethiopia has been facing. If we do so, Ethiopia will prevail. However, such a task should not be left for the government alone.
It is a weak premise to think that TPLF has made effective diplomacy due to the efforts of black Americans, as the white and black citizens are working within the US system. The US system as a whole is standing against Ethiopia. The black Americans served as spokesperson of that system. So, we have to change the perception of the system towards Ethiopia by telling the reality on the ground.
I have had a stay with many black Americans. They have no private grievance about Ethiopia but the information conveyed to these people stimulated them to hate the present government of Ethiopia even if what they heard is not true. New York Times, Washington Post etc are media outlets working against Ethiopia. Their audiences said “how come an evil government holds power in Ethiopia” Thus, we have to go to journalists, politicians, and lobbyists to inform them of the reality. They sow the wrong seed and we have to spray the medicine following the route they went. Unless we do this, we will fail.
Do you think that Africa should establish its media that talk about the true Africa avoiding false narratives?
It is unfortunate not to see this. Iran has its media called Press TV that is influential and grabs the attention of the world. Emirates has a strong media. Al-Jazeera is also the media working for the interest of Arab countries. However, Africa does not have such a media which reflects its interest. There should be media that builds the image of Africa. Thus, establishing the media with this orientation is imperative. African media practitioners have to take an initiative as it is helpful to provide unbiased information. There should be an African media and information centre that will be working for the interest of Africans.
We communicate with Algeria film producers. We also have a plan of making a film together. However, our capability is not comparable. Our ambition is based on our capacity. We have a desire to make a film that builds the image of our countries. We also made various deliberations. Nevertheless, the Ethiopian film industry has no return. It has not been supported by the government either. There is no film fund. There are also no associations that fund the film sector. We are not on equal footing.
If you want to make a film about the Victory at Adwa, it costs you about Birr 100 million as it is a decisive historical event of Ethiopia. If you want to do a film about Emperor Tewodros II, it requires you the same amount of money. The Ethiopian film budget is very lesser than that. You could not be encouraged to pay unnecessary sacrifice by doing the film, showing the Ethiopian film audience. The problem and the solution are found here. I think a film fund has to be established for some selected film projects. All the films I produced so far are about Ethiopia.
Does Ethiopian filmmaker have an interest and desire of establishing a film industry like that of Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood etc?
Grove Garden is a film studio. It is the first step to establish Ethio-wood. It is possible to complete a film within the garden. Above the entertainment centre, a grove garden is established for filmmakers. Film-makers can produce a film here without searching other locations for his film. The garden can be served as a startup. Hollywood, Bolly-wood and Nolly-wood is a collective noun of film-makers of these countries but not found in one place. For example, if Ethiopian filmmakers establish their Ethiopian wood, it would be our asset. The Ethiopian film industry has its audience. What remains to do is, united as one entity. If we can come together, we can bring change. When we think of one another we can establish an industry named “X” wood. I hope that time will come soon.
I have not encountered this, if we see it positively, the film which is not made in the English language has no market. The problem is not Africans. For instance Bollywood, they are a big industry in their own country. When they distribute their film, Indians are the only audience they have. They could not penetrate the world market yet even if they had over 100 years of history. Now, they are becoming well advanced in technology and even sometimes
Hollywood films have been made there. Yet, they could not penetrate the European market due to language barriers.
Many whites discourage films produced by blacks? What do you think is the rationale behind this?
For the film to be successful, it has to be presented in English. I do not think race is considered a prime factor for this. If we want to upgrade our films and engage in the international market, we have to dub them. But this does not mean that we refrain from introducing our language to the world. The racial factor is taken as the second factor as the film industry is highly dominated by white people. But, some black people dominate the industry via coming up with wonderful films. Anyhow, the question is very debatable.
The westerners have not been talking about the glowing part of the continent; they instead defame the African countries reputation giving due consideration to the crisis occurring here?
How much is the value of Ethiopia and Africa? Africa has remained for long as a resource box for westerners. Still, it is. Whatever the civilization they reached, the resources of Africans were found in it. Including that of nuclear, all the western technology is fetched from African untapped resources. The coffee and chocolate they use are taken from the African continent. Libya once was awakened and tried to prosper, however, the westerners were not happy about that. Listing various reasons, killing its leader and pushed it to slumber. To take what they want from us and be advanced in technology, their source of Africa should not wake up.
Now, the turn is for Ethiopia, it tried to wake up working beyond its capacity. In order not to listen to their discourse, she chose the leader who said; “Africa for Africans.” It gained a leader who preached about peace and took the Nobel Prize. The country has gained a leader who says no to westerners. The country is now seeing a green light. It is now at the tip of the night to see the light at the tunnel. If it wakes up, her neighbours do the same and will say; “enough for westerners.” Therefore, the westerners need Ethiopia not to wake up forever. For this to happen, they want to create conflict between and among Ethiopians to kill one another. They want to kill their leader. We also hear this from the horses’ mouths of their messenger.
What is the value of being Ethiopian? How much do we need to pay to come out of the present scenario? The rest of Africans; how much do you have to pay to wake up? Ethiopia is not fighting with its children; the fight is against westerners. The tool to end the war is our unity. Don’t worry my country, there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, you should pass the darkness. We do not pass the darkness with disparity. Our country is now like a pregnant woman in the delivery room. We have to help her standing in unison. Unity of the people is the value of today’s Ethiopia.
Thank you very much.
It’s my pleasure.
The Ethiopian Herald September 25/2021
