Dar film on sexual violence nominated in six categories
Aisha movie poster
What you need to know:
The Tanzanaian production ‘Aisha’ has made quite an impression on the international scene since its release in July last year where it has been screened at major film festivals.
Tanga. A Tanzanian film ‘Aisha’, which depicts sexual violence has been nominated for awards in six categories by the African Film Festival (Taff) 2016 in Dallas Texas.
The film, produced by a Pangani-based organisation, Uzikwasa has been nominated in the following categories, Best Narrative Feature, Best Director (Chande Omar), Best Actor (Aidarus Wali), Best Actress (Godliver Gordian), Best Soundatrack by Vitalis Maembe and Best cinematography (Takura Mauruayi).
According to Uzikwasa director Vera Pieroth the film has made quite an impression on the international scene since its release in July last year.
“To date ‘Aisha’ has been selected for screening by 16 international film festivals, in Canada, Singapore and the West Indies, as well as in Africa, and Europe,” she pointed out.
Dr Pieroth revealed the film has done well in North America where the film was selected for screening by six festivals including big events such as Pan African Film festival in California (Paff), and Seattle International Film Festival (Siff) with up to 150,000 visitors per year.
She described the nominations as a major achievement for the film and for the Tanzanian film industry in general.
‘Aisha’ will be screened at the Zanzibar International Film festival on 15th July she disclosed.
The film is about a young, ambitious business woman living in the city who returns to the village to attend her younger sister’s wedding where she re-connects family and friends.
She is gang-raped in a notorius practice that is rampant in Pangani, dubbed as ‘Mtungo’ or ‘Mande’.
“Everyone else would rather turn a blind eye, but Aisha the main caharacter in the film decides to fight a tough battle for justice,” said Dr Pieroth.
Uzikwasa is currently running a campaign to set in motion a continuous social dialogue to discourage oppressive norms that fuel gender based violence in Pangani communities and elsewhere in the country.
The organisation’s aims to screen the film in Pangani villages to raise awareness.
