Botswana films to be commemorated

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Correspondent | Thursday March 15, 2007 00:00

This is a new feature in the Maitisong calendar and it is meant to celebrate local film production, which is still in its infancy. Lined up for the festival are political documentaries that were screened on Btv in 2005.

They include a documentary on the ailing former BNF leader, Dr Kenneth Koma, former president Sir Ketumile Masire, and retired politician, Motsamai Mpho. The documentaries, according to the director of the film festival, Moabi Mogorosi, are meant to celebrate the achievements of the politicians he describes as 'legends.'

Mogorosi told Showbiz that the featured legends would be present at the screening of the documentaries. He said they would be involved in discussions with the audience although he was not sure whether Koma would be able to make it as he is reportedly ill at the moment.

'In case he is unable to pitch up, we have invited his close friend, Klaas Motshidisi, to stand in on his behalf,' said Mogorosi, who also directed documentaries on Sir Ketumile Masire and Koma.

The documentaries will kick off the film festival on March 23, with the Masire documentary, Life Before Politics, starting at 6:45pm.

It will be followed by Tshireletso Motlogelwa's Life Journey with Motsamai Mpho, and Dr Koma's film. Historians, such as Dr Jeff Ramsay, Prof L. D. Ngcongco, Prof Thomas Tlou, Prof Neil Parsons, and Dr Maitseo Bolaane, have also been invited to participate in the discussions.

Day two of the local film festival will see a video production work by University of Botswana 2nd year students.

This will be followed by a short film drama directed by Motlogelwa. Pascar Proctor's Memoirs of K.T Motsete will also be screened in the evening, before the audience is treated to music video productions directed by Shike Olsen of Creative Liquid. 

Olsen's music video works on the evening will be Banyana le Basimane (for Acid), Imagination (for Zeus) and Shobotla (for Star Luu). Olsen is also scheduled to talk about his role in the Botswana film and video industry.

Btv representatives and local producers are also scheduled to talk about local efforts regarding the progress and obstacles facing the local film industry.