BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
Almost all art forms and artists in Ethiopia go through various challenges such as lack of adequate finance, skills and training, and public stereotype. The challenges weigh much on the cinema as it requires larger investment, collaboration of different skills and creatvity. Hence compared with other genres, the cinema is the least developed.
For a decade cinema here has made a tad progress in terms of producing some notable works, introducing new talents and rapid production. Yet, the progress has suffered set back due to COVID-19 and the red hot competition of international movies taking local audiences. So now the cinema is at a critical stage as producers and artists are leaving the industry and engaging in their private businesses.
In contrast, Henock Wondimu who was a winner of best actor award and familiar face in Ethiopian movies can’t live up with this reality despite making money through music clips and other businesses. He said he couldn’t leave the movie industry and sit idle when the industry is in such hardship. Accordingly, he wanted to allivate the problem of financing by producing independent movies. This is new to Ethiopia as many Ethiopian movies are commercial movies sourcing funds from investors or the intention of generating income by showing them in movie theaters or selling to television networks or streaming services.
What Henock did next is doing a Tiktok video appealing to his fans saying that he wanted to do one good movie with fund contribution of fans. Recounting and showing his memorable time while doing movies the actor said: “I have more than 700,000 followers in social media. Why don’t we produce a film together for our satisfaction?” The reaction to this Tiktok video was positive but some were concerned whether the actor is in financial woes.
The actor has appeared on a popular show called Seifu Show to clarify his idea. He told the experience of the other world as this: “This is common in western world. There are major studio films and independet movies. The studio films are films that are being made by major films studio films such as Marvel, Universal, DC and others. Films that are being made by major studio films do have influence of the producers. To get out of the producers influence they brought independent films. It is now a common trend in U.S. and other countries. They use kick start and other means to raise funds and produce the movie without financial worries.” So, he wanted to bring this
experience here in Ethiopia and initiate the film industry again. “I thought about this for a while. Our films are solely commercial. If it does not prove profitable, you won’t find a producer and the industry could grind to a halt. This shouldn’t happen. There should be an alternative. I believe the fate of movie industry is in the hand of the people.”
Henock says he by no means is attempting to change the industry single handily but wanted to remind there is a vast potential and resource that shouldn’t be overlooked.
“There is some misconception that I am trying to impact the movie single handily. I don’t have that capacity. We have genius directors like Sewmehon Yesmaw, Abiy Fente, Nur Akmel, Yednekachew Shumte, Henock Ayel, Daniel Girma and others. I am but petty compared with giants. But my idea is “let us come together with masters and produces one great movie as producers backpedaling from the industry.”
There is a long way to realize his ambition as he generated just 10% of the target but he is optimistic it is tangible.
“I have generated 10% of the sum for my target investment. The movie in conception will hopefully attract a large crowd as I am going to mix with big actors with emerging artists. There will be fine directors, best story tellers, and cinematographers. It does have title already. It is based on a true story. I am sure people will be happy to see it as they are producers of the movie”
Henock is very passionate about movie making as living here in Ethiopia for sole purpose of doing movies. His daughter and wife are living abroad. He could be with them but didn’t want to be far from movie making. He generates money by making music clips but films are at his heart. Unfortunately, Ethiopian movie industry is experiencing a down spiral at this point in the time. If Henock’s ambition succeeds other artist could follow suit and stir the industry. Big faces in Ethiopian movies could also return to the industry.
Not to mention Ethiopian movies could have positive influence in sociopolitical and economic changes. They could struggle against prejudice, stereotypes, and injustice. They could fight corruption and maladministration, raise awareness on the value of literacy and good judgment, encourage people for development and many more. In order to achieve these goals, they should have a space to exercise freedom, get skills and training and finance. The responsibility of supporting the industry therefore falls on the shoulder of the people, government and other stakes.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD 2 FEBRUARY 2023
