Filmmaker charts her success

It was born out of the need to take films to the people. I had a group of girlfriends who were happy to be on the board, so we developed International Video Fair Trust (IVFT). We started taking ready-made films to the people, or at least getting the donors to fund it. Then we took African feature films to the people as well. That didnt happen immediately of course. Were nine years old this year

What projects are you currently working on?

Our current projects include Sex In The City which weve just finished, but of course now we have to look for the promotional budget, but were pre-testing it. Another project is Sisterly Reflections, Brotherly Revelations – a film on domestic violence. And then of course we have the Cinetoile project, which will be the taking of five classical African feature films to tertiary institutions and high schools in both Harare and Bulawayo.

How did you come to be a documentary filmmaker?

There was training offered during the late 80s by UNESCO through the Zimbabwe Production Services. Nathan Shamuyarira was the Minster of Information. Hes really the father of the film industry. He worked hard with UNESCO to set the school up, and Im one of the beneficiaries.

What motivates you to do the work that you do?

To make a change and try to alleviate this needless suffering.

What did you learn from working on the documentary?

Lots of things. But the one, big thing, which the anthropologist Susan Pietrzyk shared with me, was that sex is actually not a taboo subject. What has happened in Zimbabwe and probably on the Continent is that we censor ourselves so much, that a lot of issues have become taboo. Politics, money and sex are not discussed. Talking to your kids about sex is taboo. And so there is a great need for spaces to be created for people to openly dialogue on issues.

Do you think that frank discussion about sex can help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS?

Definitely. I think especially among lovers, and couples. I think as one of the participants in the film says: Sex is the greatest thing thats ever happened to man; everything that living is on the planet because of sex. Its so important to our lives, so if my husband and I cant talk about sex, how do I talk about it with my daughter and my son? We have to talk about it. We have to talk about money. We have to talk about politics; what kind of a government do we want?

Do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers?

Perseverance. Everyone knows the history of Strive Masiyiwa and his four-year legal battle with the government. We all know Nigel Chanakiras history too, he sold his house and went and lived with his parents. But they persevered. What they had was a vision and they stuck to it.