It is the norm to be sitting in the Audience at the Baxter Theatre with all forms of artistic expression reverberating from the stage, but at the recent Imbizo Focus with the Minister of Arts & Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, the tables were turned somewhat with filmmakers, visual artists, writers, poets, stage actors and theatre practitioners exchanging the stage for a seat in the audience to express what came from the convictions of their heart and not a script. The Imbizo was also attended by Mr Eddie Mbalo from the NFVF.
Imbizo's, I think we'd all agree, is a very necessary process, and what's certainly necessary about it is that the concerns, comments and suggestions raised, are taken into cognisance and actioned at their respective levels.
Film aficionados present raised various issues from audience development, to the financing of films; to the creation of a film language; to access for women in film; to the signing of more international co-production treaties. All of which are issues considered very pertinent to the film industry in South Africa.
So for those of you who were not able to attend, here's a brief summary on issues raised by the audience with the respective response by the minister:
Audience: What are the minister's policies or views around the building of local cinemas, as the key to a successful film industry is to get "bums on seats", which we do not get in South Africa for South African films.
It means we need more money to be generated to produce as many films as possible of and for all cultures, so South African films do not remain 'politically correct' and safe but go beyond and become cutting edge to attract a cross section of audiences not just the particular culture it represents and the industry people who support it!"
Minister: South African film is currently doing well on the international market; however the support for SA film locally is very bad as audiences still prefer Hollywood movies.
Very few people attend South African films for a variety of reasons, eg. a) Why pay R35 at the cinema when you can wait a month and get 4 videos / DVD's for that price, or b) the sector who can afford R35 might not necessarily want to watch a Zulu film for example, even if it has subtitles.
There used to be several cinemas in the suburbs across Cape Town and to regain these the private sector needs to begin investing in such initiatives. For example, Mbongeni Ngema has recently launched the initiative, Shout Africa that seeks to launch digital cinemas across the country. Cinema costs need to be cheaper in the townships and private financing could help facilitate this. Only until the majority of the population has access to cinemas will we be able to develop audiences for film.
Audience: South African films might be doing well on the festival circuit internationally but this does not mean that the films are a success. To be a success they need to make money. Now that NFVF money has been cut by R11 million for the next funding cycle, it does not seem that filmmakers are getting the necessary support from government to make films, which in turn decreases the chances of making a commercially successful film. We need to develop audiences and increase the amount of cinemas and resources to get "bums on seats".
Minister: Let's wait for the finance speech where the government will respond favourably to the film industry's needs for funding. Government recognises the importance of film economically and culturally and government is doing the best they can to provide funding for film. The DAC budget should be doing more for film, but a lot more can be done, especially through the private sector - we need to get more investment from the private sector, eg. Nando's having financed U-Carmen e'Khayelitsha.
Audience: There needs to be the creation of a (South African / African) film language - a means of filmic expression.
Minister: Agrees wholeheartedly
Audience: Not enough attention has been given to women directors, choreographers, writers, etc of film and stage. How do women feature in BEE for film - is there a focus on women? It is felt that there are not enough links between departments and national and provincial government.
Minister: Not sure what was expected of the minister in terms of women's policies, but government will give consideration to women in the arts if they were to come forward and propose to take on or develop these roles.
Audience: There have been attempts over the years to create synergies between India and South Africa - trying to connect the SA and Indian film industries through engaging with filmmakers & parliamentarians of both countries. However the hold up seems to be coming from our side. The UK and Indian governments are currently moving down the road towards a co-production treaty but nothing with the SA government. There are so many pro's to developing an SA/India relationship, why has nothing been initiated? An MOU was signed in 2001 between the NFVF and its Indian counterpart, the NFDC, but nothing has happened since then - what is the government doing about this relationship? DAC has recently commissioned a delegation to Cuba - why can't a similar delegation be commissioned to India?
Minister: Government's support for the film industry is clearly reflected in the new financial plan. Cultural agreements can be actioned in various ways to support film, but we need to start with bite-size chunks and expand with time.
Those who chose not to verbalise their concerns had opportunity to write them down instead on a standard feedback form issued by the minister. The minister concluded by saying that all concerns raised would be taken up with the relevant departments or forums and that feedback will be given, but only on those issues that will be taken forward for further attention.
Posted on Tuesday 30 Nov 1999
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