Body on Fire

The idea for this series of Tanzanian short films was developed five years ago during a scenario workshop in Zanzibar that was supported by the Hubert Bals Fund. The long time it took for the series to be completed says a lot about the situation of film making in this part of Africa.
But the ambitions of those involved (through Savannah Films primarily Imruh Bakari) have also played a role. The aim was to complete each step of the film process, from screenplay to post production, at the highest possible professional level. For instance, the plans were rewritten with the aid of experienced writers, and during the film making itself the best professionals were involved. Even though many funds contributed to the series, a lack of means delayed the production greatly. After all these years, the fact that the series has been completed is a miracle of perseverance.
Most of the writers and directors who worked on the series are still starting their careers. Apart from the fact that all these short films form an exercise in professional film making, thematically they all contain a topical and social lesson. For instance, The Will is about the battle over inheritance, I Am Tired about sexual abuse, Work for Free about the financial position of old people, Mawazo about education and Body on Fire about responsibility and AIDS.
The films may not be innovative, but they are skilfully made and emphatically provide an insight into Tanzanian society.

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