CINEMA: Local Film Producers Opt For Outdoor Movies

27 Jul, 2014 - 06:07 0 Views
CINEMA: Local Film Producers Opt For Outdoor Movies

The Sunday Mail

MOVIE PRODUCERNo matter how difficult the situation is, Zimbabweans always come up with a plan. It’s the nature of Zimbabweans to come up with plan B whatever the challenges.

Piracy, which is choking the film industry, and lack of working capital have failed to snuff out the life of local film producers whose countering initiatives border on the outrageous.

Distribution is a major component required for success in the industry.

And distribution centres, including screenings, have been literally set up everywhere in the country in alleys, pavements and streets.

As the number of movie-goers continues to be subdued due to the prevailing economic challenges, producers are bringing productions to the people.

Boarding a commuter, grabbing an ice cream or shopping one gets to see or sample what the local film industry has to offer.

The drive-in cinema concept that used to be part of our entertainment industry and is still present in other countries has bounced back – albeit in a different style to suit the pedestrian populace.

The original drive-in cinemas were developed in the 1950s and involved people watching movies on the big screen while relaxed in their cars. It (drive-in cinema) can be set up in open public places that include parks, city centres, stadium and airfields.

It is common to see various movies, dramas or series being shown on mobile projectors and screens in street corners of the capital that are close to popular bus terminus like Copacabana and Fourth Street.

Some have proceeded to visit various residential areas (mainly high density) around town with the concept.

The system is being used to promote different films, which are being churned out by local producers that have little or no access to national television channels.

And the initiative has proved effective in countering the proliferation of piracy, a virus threatening the entire creative industry.

While some production houses only show selected parts of their productions, others go all the way showing the entire film while the cast hover around the mobile film centres helping in marketing the effort.

NGOs and gospel movements have not been left out as they are also using the mobile cinema concept to capture the attention of targeted individuals around the country.

A number of people who were part of a crowd watching a local action series, Go Chanaiwa Go, said they were happy with the mobile film displays.

But though the audience had different opinions as to why they liked watching films in the street, they all seemed to concur on the entertainment value part.

“This is a different experience altogether. I usually come here (Copacabana rank) with my friends before we go home since it has now become more like a culture for us. We watch whatever they will be showing so that we get a topic to discuss the following day,” said a Dzivaresekwa elderly lady who only identified herself as Mai Tinashe.

But for Tichaona Munodavanhu, the mobile film centres helped him kill time in town on his way home after work.

“Each time I get home there will be no electricity. I have since decided that I pass through this place and while as much time as possible watching these dramas, when I finally get home, most of the times our section would have passed its load shedding hours,” he said.

Arts critics note such forms of entertainment should be promoted since they help create a balance in society between the rich and poor. They argue that due to various circumstances, not everyone has the ability to visit conventional movie centres like the Eastgate and Westgate.

Film for Social Development director Regis Vanesu added that making and watching films can change lives and empower individuals with information and ideas.

“It is important to realise that these initiatives are of great value to our society. It might sound unrealistic but the truth of the matter is that some people do not have televisions in their homes and this kind of entertainment gives them exposure and means a lot,” he said.

Inflatable movie screens from Open Air Cinema have been used by the United Nations and FilmAid in refugee camps in countries like Kenya and Tanzania for their training programmes.

“However, it is important to ensure that such activities are carried out on designated areas and get approval from responsible authorities such as the city fathers and police. We have seen instances whereby congestion has been created due to such acts, while cases of pick-pockets that capitalise on the distraction caused by such events have been reported,” added Vanesu.

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