|
The Sunday Standard After they recently brought to Kenya the first Emmy Award for the continent, Ace Communications' resolve to continue exposing local talent and stories through their numerous films and video productions has intensified. Their latest production, a 54 feature film, The Great Betrayal, has been selected for screening at the 1Oth Anniversary of Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) to take place from February 6 to 18 at the Magic Johnson Theatres in Los Angeles, USA. The film depicts the trauma and condemnation that a young and ambitious schoolgirl goes through due to unwanted pregnancy and the society's hypocrisy towards her. The film was produced for Centre for the Study of Adolescence and Pacific Institute for Women's Health and it tackles the question of youth and teenage pregnancy in a bold and interesting way. It raises radical questions that will certainly generate heated debate in many quarters, A young and ambitious schoolgirl, Koso, played by newcomer Joyce Kanyagi, unfortunately gets pregnant while still in school and the trials and tribulations that she faces are deplorable. Faced with rejection from her boyfriend, the family offers no better respite. To the society and the church, Koso and her ilk are sinners. Sinners who have no place in an upright society. The school will not accept young mothers among its "pure and unspoilt" young girls. She is faced with opposition and a cruel eye in every direction that she tums. The film follows through Koso's options as she tries to find a footing in a society that has no time for her. lt raises several fundamental questions that articulate the dilemma faced by the youth and especially girls while they are growing up. Is it enough to condemn them? What options do such girls have in our society? It was adapted from an original stage play by the same title authored by Otumba Ouko, Christine Ombaka, Kitche Magak and Omondi Oketch. The play was a culmination of a long study conducted by the Centre for the Study of Adolescents in Western Kenya, targeting the youth and their sexuality with particular focus on the incidence and problems that come with unwanted pregnancies. The film was directed by Ingolo wa Keya, who also wrote the screenplay. The cast comprised young artists blended with veteran stage actors like Professor Oluoch Obura, who plays Koso's father Pino. Koso's mother Monda was played by Mueni Lundi, a veteran actress, who is currently using her skills as project manager of an outreach programme that uses participatory education theatre to combat Aids. Ingolo has again teamed up with Maurice Oyando, who has composed all the songs. Oyando is credited with a number of scores for documentaries, radio and television commercials. The award winning Say Yes For Children theme song is his latest accomplishment. Established in 1992, the Pan African Film Festival has grown rapidly and is now considered the largest film festival in the United States dedicated to the exhibition of Black films and the promoticn of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression. It is PAFF's goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Blacks' creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes," states her mission declaration. "We believe film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between people's diverse cultures, races and lifestyles, while at the same time serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our time." Each year, PAFF presents over 75 quality films from the United States,
Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific and
Canada ?? all showcasing the diversity and complexity of people of African
descent. They cover all genres ?? drama, comedy, horror, adventure,
animation, romance, science fiction, experimental and others. Other
films to be screened in this year's festival include A Barbers Wisdom
from Nigeria, Bintou, Daouda and Christopher Changes His Name from Burkina
Faso, Sembene Ousmane's Camp de Thiaroye and Ceddo, Blood Crisis from
Liberia, and Dar es Salaam from Chad. Apart from films, the Festival
also features works by fine artists, musicians, poets and storytellers. |