Zanzibar 2005

"Drum", Zola Maseko, South Africa.

For ten days, the 'Old Fort', a 17th century building in the heart of Zanzibar's Stone Town, was the center of the 8th International Film Festival — for the first time directed by Jakub Barua. He focused, in his own words, "on countries that primarily constitute the 'dhow' region, in other words all countries along the shores of the Indian Ocean that were historically connected by the dhow sailing routes. We do also of course broaden this criteria and open up to films from inland Africa as well." FIPRESCI awarded its prize for the first time: to "Drum" by Zola Maseko from South Africa. Details

The Redemption Festival. Jean-Marie Ollo Molinga, our Cameroon colleague, talks about the history of the Zanzibar island and finds it a "crazy bet to organise a film festival in an environment where three quarters of the spectators are expatriates, and a city which does not have even a single film hall!"

A Musical from the Heart of Africa. Belinda van de Graaf describes her impressions ("every day musicians, singers and dancers from all parts of East-Africa performed in the Old Fort") and discovers a promising Zimbabwe first time director, Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Adaptability and Didacticism. Li Cheuk-to is more impressed by two films from South Africa - "the only African nation that has developed its own film industry with a relatively advanced infrastructure" - than the several others from India and the rest of Africa.

Tragic Fate of a Journalist. Hassouna Mansouri talks about African films in Zanzibar and reviews Drums, a thriller based on the authentic fate of a South-African black journalist.

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