It’s Time For Zimbabwean Women to Claim Space in the Film Industry by Karen Mukwasi

It’s Time For Zimbabwean Women to Claim Space in the Film Industry by Karen Mukwasi

Source: Her Zimbabwe, published 29 October 2015.

I recently watched Beater Gardeler’s FLOCKING and was blown away.  The storyline, which centres around rape and the silence surrounding it, is very powerful as it portrays the pain and shame associated with rape, and then ultimately, the resilience of women.  Conversation with Gardeler at the International Images Film Festival (IIFF) afterwards was enlightening as she spoke about the rise of a movement of Swedish female filmmakers telling those stories society would much rather sweep under the carpet.  I have had similar experiences when watching other international films, including The Journey to Her Smile, a film by Indian filmmaker, Sucheta Phule.  In it, she dares to tackle child sexual abuse, a subject her community prefers to turn a blind eye to.  She even goes on to question child safety in educational institutions.  These films, by women, open the doors for rigorous discussions about issues directly affecting women.

Internationally, women are finding their voices in film, and telling their own stories.  And we need more of that on the continent, and mostly in Zimbabwe.

READ THE ARTICLE IN ITS ENTIRETY AT: http://herzimbabwe.co.zw/2015/10/its-time-for-zimbabwean-women-to-claim-space-in-the-film-industry/