Who Stole The Artefacts?


By Bethsheba Achitsa

Its yet another bright morning, the sun high in the sky but the weather is not steady. One time its hot and the next moment its chilly making everyone freeze. Determined to know more about our hosts; Alliance Francaise and the Kenya National theatre we divide ourselves nto groups of two and there we are off to Alliance Francaise.

Walking nto the building along University way in Nairobi, the building stands adjacent to other buildings like view park towers and Goethe-Institut, we find the young Beatrice Wabwile who is the acting receptionist. She tells us the building was set up during the colonial era in the late 1940s. established with the aim of teaching French to Kenyans it also offers a venue where people can interact and know more about the French culture. The learning institution has grown with over five thousand students being enrolled every year.

Alongside teaching French, it also hostys exhibitions, plays and other cultural events; that’s why Lola Kenya festival is on going there. Wanting to no more, which the receptionist did not know she directed us to various offices and oops! It’s a fruitless journey. Noone in the Alliance Francaise knows whose the founder and there we are sent back without the information.
However we visit several rooms and realize that the rooms on the four storeyed building are classrooms. We hope that next time we go hunting for information at the Alliance Francaise there will be some one who is ready to share with us.

Realising that people cant be good at preserving information for the future generations, we hope that the same does not happen with Lola Kenya Screen film festival. The director will see to it that information is and will always be readily available to anyone at any time and anywhere.
Being the fifth dayof yhe festival with on lya day to go Lola Knya has achieved a lot. Unlike the first dy where there hadly had an audience, the audience has increased with more than 172 people ttending the festival. At the Kenya National Theatre over 50 peole have been coming in to watch the films on daily basis.

Kibera where the screening was also taking place, people stream in in order to quench their thirst for watching films. They liked the short films most as they left them in suspence. They would wish to see the directors who produce fimson more vital issues such as relationships. Lengthen the time for the films in a nutshell.The directors of the films should give the audience more, and more. They did a great job!

Hopefully, all who attended the festiva have learnt and have something to tell the days to come. Saturday as the curtains close down make it to the event and see the surprise in store for you.
About the writer
Bethsheba, 18, is a festival assistant and member of the Lola Kenya Screen 2008 Festival Press.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

11th ZIFF Festival of the Dhow Countries Awardees Unveiled

The Zanzibar International Film Festival's Festival has announced films that excelled in its 11th Festival of the Dhow countrie. Without any analysis, your favourite blog, SayIt-Sema, reproduces the list here for your perusal: THE GOLDEN DHOW Awarded to a film that exemplifies excellence in film language and one highlighting Dhow culture. Ezra (2007, Dir: Newton I Aduaka, Nigeria/France) THE SILVER DHOW Awarded to a film that is a runner up to the Golden Dhow awardee. India Untouched (2007, Dir: Stalin K. India) SHORT/ ANIMATION Awarded to the best short film in the festival reflecting mastery of the short film structure and aesthetics. Subira (2007, Dir: Ravneet Chadha, Kenya/India) EAST AFRICA Awarded to the best film by an East African filmmaker that shows the greatest commercial aptitude and potential marketability African Lens (2008, Dir: Shravan Vidyarthi, India/Kenya) SPECIAL JUROR'S CHOICE Laya Project (2006, Dir: Harold Monfils, India) SEMBENE OUSMANE PRIZE Awarded ...
Read more

Interview with Ugandan Journalist Tony Mushoborozi

By Craig Kimu Toni Mushorobozi is a journalist from Uganda. He studied Journalism and Film at University. He also does a lot of filming, acting and directing. This talented and energetic journalist was born in Kampala Uganda. He is also a good storyteller because of his interesting childhood. Toni has also done a lot of short films earlier of which most of them are being shown in Uganda but he is hoping that they might be shown in Zimbabwe during its Film Festival later this year, he said. He is looking forward in making some films for the young ones especially something new and interesting. About the writer Craig Kimu, 15, a member of the Lola Kenya Screen 2008 Festival Press, is a student at Prince Edward School in Harare, Zimbabwe
Read more

Meike Statema: An Angel from Holland at 3rd Lola Kenya Screen

Image
By Rushel Rangala They say that goodness comes from the heart and is a self-driven virtue. Ms Meike Statema is a beautiful lady from Holland who loves to help and upgrade young people from a low status. She is the coordinator of the Lola Kenya film festival. This is an organization that deals with young people who aspire to be journalists and filmmakers. I had a one-on-one session with her which revealed what young people mean to her. She has a good initiative for children and works towards developing an identity for young people. Besides having a great insight on languages, she likes good food, dancing and definitely working in the media. She also works with IDFA, an organisation that deals with international films. This is a clear indication of her love for film and her un-ending support towards this. One of the things that Meike hates and has always been against is the way parents and adults control young people. She says this is hindering the growth and development of talent in yo...
Read more