It somewhat falls short artistically

BOTSALO NTUANE* | Friday April 18, 2008 00:00

In terms of brand placement, that is promoting Botswana as a country I think the producers have done well, in fact exceedingly well.  Certainly every movie-goer in Europe or America who had never heard the name will definitely emerge from the cinema with Botswana ringing in their ears.

In so far as that aspect is concerned our P 30 million investment is value for money. Just to what extent this will translate into tourists flooding into the country remains to be seen.

Save for the jazz club scene the images I saw were of a rustic, somewhat rural Botswana, and not the cosmopolitan Botswana of ultra swanky shopping centres, modern office blocks, highly educated and eloquent people and the latest car models on the roads.

The emphasis of the movie seemed to be on superstition and village simplicity, which only sought to perpetuate certain stereotypes.

However, a positive aspect worth noting was seeing the faces of local people I meet everyday featuring in shimmering technicolour from the screen.

With luck and having worked with some of the best producers in the world, some of them may have earned a ticket to feature in other international movies.

Though local actors are mostly restricted to bit roles they do, nonetheless, make an appearance. As for the film's artistic merits, I think it somewhat falls short. I don't know if it's because adapting a book into a film is never an easy undertaking.

To be fair let's just say that, though the movie can make a lovely evening outing it will not be in contention for an Oscar  for best motion picture at the forthcoming Academy Awards.

*Ntuane is a Specially Elected Member of Parliament. He reacts to the film in his personal capacity.