Maretlwaneng Explodes Into The Film Industry

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday September 28, 2007 00:00

 

The documentary, shot in Australia, takes a look at the growth of the genre in the traditionally hostile environment in the country. The multi-talented Maretlwanneng, who holds a BA degree in film and television studies, said the night of the premier was an important one for hip-hop. It can be safely assumed that the film industry is the young man's first love, as he suspended his involvement in karate to focus on film-making; and he recently worked on the set of the No 1 Detective Agency movie.  

The film features a number of artists of African descent trying to make a breakthrough in a foreign land, which is not easily receptive of the black culture. Featured artists include Price, Chapter One, D-Money, Dust, Josh, Gemstone, Fela B, In Dreams, Ras Christian and others. In the interviews conducted in the documentary, artists like Ras Christian, from Jamaica, lamented how they were trying to fit into mainstream society. The Jamaican talked of how he as a person from a reggae background was trying to blend reggae with hip-hop to come up with something entirely new. He also mentioned how Dylan Marley, the son of the popular late reggae superstar Bob Marley, did the same and succeeded in the music industry. It came out in the documentary that black people, more especially those involved in hip-hop, were viewed with suspicion most of the time.

Most of the featured artists were underground and some of them were trying to have a breakthrough into the mainstream market. The artists shared their struggles, dreams and aspirations for the future in the dog-eat-dog industry.

All in all, Heads Up is one of the best ever films produced by a Motswana. The picture quality is good although some of the artists themselves are barely audible because of their accents. One interesting aspect of the documentary is that it was shot from different angles, making it quite enjoyable.  The only snag is that those not interested in the hip-hop might find the documentary too long.

Perhaps Maretlwaneng would garner more Batswana audience if he could produce a movie or a documentary about Batswana artists that people could relate to. But at the same time it must be understood that the film industry in the country is still in its infancy and it might be a huge challenge for the young artist to take such a project off the ground.

Renowned local hip-hop artists like Desma 'Ice Queen' Basson, who is making a comeback, supported the premier. The hefty female rapper pranced about on the stage and danced like a lightweight. She sent revellers into frenzy as she performed some acrobatic manoeuvres despite her frame.  Desma's above-average performance nearly eclipsed the premier as she set the stage on fire. The queen of local hip-hop did not spare her detractors tongue-lashing. She also asserted through song that she was going to make a comeback in the music industry.

The 'Ice Queen' has also recently worked as a stand-in for the lead actress Jill Scot, in the No 1 Detective Agency Movie. Thato 'Scar' Matlhabaphiri also dished out a sizzling performance and he had some revellers eating out of his hand as he performed some of his popular hits like the evergreen Metlholo.

The performances by the two artistes were nearly ruined by the poor sound system and the curtain that failed to function. However, they somehow managed to improvise.

Towards the end of the show, they collaborated in yet another hip-hop song that left revellers asking for more.