Tanzania absent in list of top 10 African films

It’s the movie season what with the Grammy Awards, Oscars and back home AMAA Awards expected in March this year. Looking back in the past year, a few movies from Africa hit our screens and left a lasting impression. From East Africa, Kenya and Uganda are well-represented and the fact that Tanzania is conspicuously missing from the list is definitely something to write home about. Maybe if we borrowed a thing or two from the movies that made it to the  top 10 list of popular movies in Africa, we could get somewhere come next year same time.

The Ugandan - Uganda

This Feature film put the Ugandan film industry on the map in 2013; it did extremely well, scooping a nomination at the African Movie Academy Awards.

It made cinema stopovers and screenings all over the world.

Directed by celebrated Ugandan actor/writer Patrick Sekyaya, it tells the story of an Indian survivor’s life during the brutal Idi Amin regime, who is blackmailed by his Ugandan girlfriend.

It is a well-told tale that manages to give a picturesque account of the struggles of a young man, who is on a lone mission of self-recovery

Nairobi Half Life- Kenya

A brilliant effort by filmmaker David Gitonga, the accomplished director once again proved how matured he’s grown in craft by piecing what has so far been hailed as “amazing”. A 2013 Oscar-winning film, its quality gave African cinema a huge endorsement.

The film’s strength was embedded in the quality of its cast.

Joseph Wairimu, its lead actor, won the award for Best Actor, at the 33rd Durban International Film Festival.

Nairobi Half Life is a masterpiece

Confusion Na Wa -Nigeria

Winner of Best Nigerian Film, and Best Film at the 2013 AMAA Awards, it is a dark comedy presentation, told in the most fascinating manner.

It stars actors Ramsey Nouah, OC Ukeje, and Ali Nuhu among a host of others.

A debut for Kenneth Gyang, it is an adaptation of the short story by Akpo Kagho.

It was partly funded by the Hubert Bais Fund in Rotterdam

Kawaku Anase- Ghana

It’s been everywhere and back, this year, screening from one film exhibition and festival to another.

Akosua Adoma Owusu’s short film, Kweku Ananse, was the most talked about Ghanaian presentation this year.

And even though it faced competition from other mainstream productions, she managed to keep it from what was being consumed, locally.It won the award for Best Short Film at the AMAA Awards

Uhlanga The Mark – South Africa`

A Ndaba ka Ngwane story, it perfectly fits into the list of good South African movies released in the last decade. It follows the daily struggles of three young teenagers, in a life full of abuse and prejudice about how their lives could miserably end up. It was shot on location in Durban, Pinetwon, Maritzburg, Dududu, Kwadumisa and Kwacele. It screened at the Durban International Film Festival, and also at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

Virgin Margarida - Mozambique

A feature film on violence against women, the 87-minute long material is a must-see.

Directed by Licino Azevedo (his 10th film), it retells events of post colonial rule in Mozambique and how some of the country’s women became the end victims of a drive to do away with everything colonialism.

It chronicles the life of a young, innocent virgin, who is rounded up in a security swoop on prostitutes, who were later sent to “a re-educated” facility.

The revelation about her virginity, and how other prostitutes would later come to worship and adore her, formed the preamble to what is a good movie.

Swirl in Bamako-Mali

An award-wining Malian feature film, it had a good year upon release.

It made several appearances at film festivals including the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

Directed by Domique Phillippe, it is the story of a poor wood carver, whose earnings do not allow him to take care of his wife the way he would like to.

In what finally became a breakthrough, he won a lottery but later found out he’s lost his winning ticket.

He goes on a wild ‘chase’ for the lost treasure so he is able to fend for his lovely wife the way he’s dreamt of for years

Moi Zaphira

A prominent feature at this year’s FESPACO Film festival, it tells the story of a modern Burkinabe woman who fights hard to keep her daughter away from the harsh tradition of her people. Her admiration for modelling would later become her daughter’s must-have obsession and headache.

She fights against the established convention, pushing her way through societal acceptance.It stars Mariame Ouedraogo, who plays Zaphira, Sita Traore, Salimata Traore and Aziz Ouedraogo among others.

The Last Fishing Boat – Malawi

Winner of Best Narrative Feature Film at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Shemu Joyah’s film has been severally praised. It also won the award for Best Soundtrack at the 2013 AMAAs. It got five nominations in total.

The Last Fishing Boat is a motion picture presentation of cultural clashes between traditional African values considered outmoded and modernization

Dead River – Namibia

Set during apartheid in Namibia, Dead River was directed by Tim Huebschle.

The 34-minute film tells the story of a farmer’s daughter, Lisa, and a farm worker’s son, David. Both had to live with the constant disapproval of their relationship by Lisa’s father. Lisa won’t give in, as she holds on tight to her man. Things take a darker turn as she flees the country, only to return to an unpleasant past and low-spirited present.