Home Archives More Women to delve into film directing Will Yaounde women’s film festival be platform?
More Women to delve into film directing Will Yaounde women’s film festival be platform?
Ernest Kanjo / Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:43

MisMeBingaThough considered as embryonic, Cameroon's film industry is four decades old. Within this period, there has been a remarkable involvement of women. There is hardly any artistic or technical crew that sets out for a movie project without women on board. Their presence at locations is always significant.

Usually, they would prepare the beautiful costumes and make sure the actors are properly clad in them. They would display their make-up prowess on actors' faces, giving out just what the director desires. Perhaps, their most significant role is "welfare". Since actors and directors are red carpet personalities, the women make sure they are well fed, taking into consideration quantity and quality.

Unfortunately, the role of women, for over 40 years has not gone beyond these. They have hardly stood behind the cameras to call the shots. Ask why it is an issue. It is established that directing is the most prestigious aspect of filmmaking. So, does it mean when it is juicy, women should be left out, whereas, directing is something they too can do?

This is a reflection that has inspired GIC VIDEO STAR, a film common initiative group, mostly made up students of the Performing Arts and Cinematography Department of the University of Yaounde I. To get women on board and encourage them to direct films, the CIG is organizing a festival to their honour. Dubbed Mis Me Binga, the festival will take place in Yaounde from 4 to 8 March 2010, with three major aspects: a round-table conference to discuss strides women have made and how far they could go, film projects and film contest.

Dozens of films (including some from English-speaking Cameroon), directed and produced by women have been lined up for projection at the Goethe-Institut, the French Cultural Centre and the Nkomkana Youth Centre in Yaounde. Also on the programme will be films from other countries including Namibia, Germany, Israel, Finland, Spain, Canada and Japan. Sixteen of the films lined up for projection will contest in three chosen categories: best fiction, best documentary and best actress.

At a press conference last week in Yaounde, organizers of Mis Me Binga hoped the initiative would change the current phase of film making, not only in Cameroon, but in the Central African sub region and the rest of Africa.  "We think women have potentials that must be exploited. So why shouldn't they get behind the cameras and direct the films?" GIC Video Star's Martial Nguea questioned rhetorically. To him, Mis Me Binga which has come to stay should face the challenge and get female filmmakers out of the doldrums of unpopularity as far as directing is concerned. Otherwise, Nguea didn't why in 40, the country would only boast of about 15 female filmmakers, producing not more than two films per decade. "We think the time has come to redress the situation," the young film maker said.

The first edition of Mis Me Binga is now a reality, thanks to partners including the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Women's Affair and the Family, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Goethe-Institut Kamerun and French Cultural Centre. Media partners such as Vox Africa, Vision 4 and Radio Campus have also been prominent.

Some films on the Mis Me Binga schedule:

·       Sister in Law (Cameroon) by Kim Longintho & Florence Ayissi

·       Bongfen (Cameroon) by Sunjo Petra

·       The Last Bus (Germany) by Maria Hensse

·       Nairobi Love Story (Gernmany) by Maria Weber

·       Lily Festival (Japan) by Sachi Hamanu

·       Rape (Cameroon) by Naah Joyce

·       Cries at Night (Namibia) by Oshesheni Hiveluah KAM by Astrid Atodji

·       La Divorce (Gabon) by Manouchka Labouba

·       Dans l'Ombre d'une autre (Cameroon) by Francine Kemegni


TTS/MTDV ARCHIVES

New movie: The Flaw chides irresponsible…

New movie: The Flaw chides irresponsible love bonds

While The Flaw was being awaited, anxious potential viewers TIPTOPSTARS spoke with explained that Chris Onyeka was such a fine and refined filmmaker to the extent that his works... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 27 Mar 2015 Hits:8068 MOVIES

GWENDOLINE THE SOLO TOURIST

GWENDOLINE THE SOLO TOURIST

There is no better experience in the history of humankind than that of Ferdinand Magellan. When in the 16th century, the Portuguese explorer sailed round the world, he had accomplished... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 21 Jul 2022 Hits:2981 Latest

Bright Phase : Votes that count

Bright Phase : Votes that count

 Just like a little joke, KORA 2008 is gradually bringing smiles on the faces of Cameroonian music lovers. That a Cameroonian group is still waxing on strong in the competition... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 04 Mar 2010 Hits:34060 Music Stars

Rinyu's Reign: Urban Artist Speaks about…

Rinyu's Reign: Urban Artist Speaks about Career

Gifted in vocals, she's definitely one of the biggest things happening to the Cameroonian music industry, currently. Rinyu is a phenomenal singer. Accompanied by Achu Normad, boss of Akumba Music,... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 17 Jun 2020 Hits:2933 Latest

Cameroon: Actors negotiate last bend

Cameroon: Actors negotiate last bend

It is now clear actors in Cameroon are determined to make acting a worthwhile occupation. Meeting in Buea recently in their second national convention, members of the Actor's Guild of... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(1) 08 Dec 2010 Hits:7904 MOVIES

Short film rubbishes hearing defect stig…

Short film rubbishes hearing defect stigma

That a person is deaf does not mean they cannot contribute to society’s development. Rather, the deaf have proven to be capable of doing unimaginable things. They have displayed skills... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 26 Aug 2014 Hits:8322 MOVIES

Cameroonian actress takes bold step into…

Cameroonian actress takes bold step into Bollywood

The media in Cameroon, film lovers and observers have been keen these past weeks on what is fast becoming a “jamais vue” in film circles – a Cameroonian in Bollywood... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 26 Sep 2014 Hits:11399 MOVIES

“I’m single” – i don see my wife author…

“I’m single” – i don see my wife  author, Don Tom

  Getting into matrimony unprepared simply because he has authored a song on marriage is neither a responsible nor reasonable move, Don Tom has insisted. African women are so classic and... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 09 Mar 2014 Hits:104665 Latest

OTIA VITALIS SPEAKS OUT “We’ll not enco…

OTIA VITALIS SPEAKS OUT  “We’ll not encourage disorder” – CFI Board chair reacts to new whatapp group

CAMEROON - Soon after June 2008, men and women who love the seventh art and aspire to thrive in it have been putting on a different lens with which to... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 13 Aug 2014 Hits:7842 Latest

CHANGE WITHIN CAMEROON FILM INDUSTRY: AK…

CHANGE WITHIN CAMEROON FILM INDUSTRY: AKIM MACAULEY SPEAKS OUT!

·       “Name CFI will never change” ·       “I don’t recognize CFI Inc.” ·       “Meeting changing nomenclature was illegal” ·       “Politicized CFI is in chaos” ·       “CFI is marred by general... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 02 Nov 2014 Hits:8185 Latest

New single: With love from Missy BK

New single: With love from Missy BK

Passion for something is one thing. Hard work is another. But skills in it must be present, if success is expected. The third of these options is a reality,... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 18 Feb 2015 Hits:6709 Latest

Song review: Tracking into Maybelle Boma…

Song review: Tracking into Maybelle Boma’s Cameroon Unite

Like its title indicates, Maybelle Boma’s Cameroon Unite is an ensemble of the ingredients necessary to symbolize unity. Amongst the patriotism-driven musical productions, it stands distinguished. Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 01 Apr 2013 Hits:5992 Latest

Music: X-Maleya trio, Rythmz duo in hit …

Music: X-Maleya trio, Rythmz duo in hit single

When the two singers who make up the Buea-based Rythmz band spoke to this writer on radio sometime ago, the duo was specific on one point – stepping up their... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 28 Jan 2015 Hits:7115 Latest

Latest: Tabala Dance regurgitate good ol…

Latest: Tabala Dance regurgitate good old memories

Tabala Dance is a contemporary piece of music which from its title, relates to the enviable past, especially to Cameroonians of the older generation who lived in the... Read more

Lylies Asakwa Be the first to comment! 08 Jun 2016 Hits:9724 Latest

Movie: Mairo Sanda crushes opponents

 Movie: Mairo Sanda crushes opponents

Since late last year, she is known to have fallen in love with movie production (co-produced Trouble Kingdom with Fred Kenyati, now on a UN mission in Cairo, Egypt). Yet,... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 18 Aug 2012 Hits:8196 MOVIES

Belgium: Cameroonian Singer calls for pr…

Belgium: Cameroonian Singer calls for prayers

That the importance of prayers is highlighted in a secular track cannot be underestimated. It is telling enough. Nick Mayor alone may know exactly why he chose to make... Read more

Titus Banyoh Be the first to comment! 12 Jul 2014 Hits:7039 STAR CORNER

Classy Night for Collywooders

Filmmakers in Cameroon will hardly forget Saturday 13 March 2010. It was one of the days they came together to celebrate their achievements. To say it was classic is an... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(1) 16 Mar 2010 Hits:7206 Latest

Sovereignty: NAGCAM-USA announces gigant…

Sovereignty: NAGCAM-USA announces gigantic movie project

From all indications, Cameroon will sooner than imagined, be celebrating what is already conjectured, within film circles, to be the biggest movie project done by its diaspora. The said... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 12 Apr 2015 Hits:9440 MOVIES

CMR movie landscape: Stephanie Maa annou…

CMR movie landscape: Stephanie Maa announces own era

At a budding age of 23, she has already covered a reasonable distance in the art she knows best – acting. Yet, Stephanie Maa still nurses huge ambitions of... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 28 Sep 2013 Hits:15937 MOVIES

Nexus Previewed and Reviewed

Nexus Previewed and Reviewed

Nexus, the much awaited  52 episode Cameroonian Serial was on the evening of 30 September 2010 previewed and reviewed by a selected audience in Yaounde, in what was described as... Read more

Abigail Njim Noella Be the first to comment! 08 Oct 2010 Hits:29721 Movies

USA: Up-and-coming Cameroonian child ba…

 USA: Up-and-coming Cameroonian child band is best artist of the year  “They’re encouraged, yet challenged to fetch more awards”  -        Marie Ndapqwe, mum, manager of C-Boyz

Everything else could be common in the Cameroonian music landscape, except child singers. Rhumtah (a child singers band that rose in the late 80s and became very prominent), until... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 16 Jan 2015 Hits:8832 STAR CORNER

418293622 7484176181616363_8241778451874313913_n


LATEST COMMENTS

  • Well, I think the CEA was a very shallow and misgu... More...
  • This is creativity we are talking about, this are ... More...
  • Lovelyn,your pre-selection criterias are ok but i'... More...
  • camhood 4 the better More...
  • fame is gd More...
  • CONGRATULATION. THANK GOD FOR YOU GUYS. CAMEROON S... More...
  • cool girls dat was great but this year we the cons... More...