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DURBAN – While the Durban Film Fest and its parallel sectoral program, the Durban FilmMart (DFM), is taking place this weekend in South Africa, the focus has been on the issues facing women in the industry
"said producer Zoe Ramushu, who moderated a panel discussion on transformation in South African industry on July 21. The assessment of the state of the local business – a day after a similar discussion sparked a divisive debate on the The work of the industry to promote black women – Ramushu noted that despite the challenges that still exist, "women succeed, women receive space, women have more opportunities than ever before"
. Consider the successes that exist for women in the industry, "she said.
Illustrating this point, experienced producer Bridget Pickering. Born in Namibia and trained in New York cinema before returning to southern Africa in the late 90s, Pickering was among the first black women to chart a course in local industry.
"You always felt that you were on the periphery of this world," she said, at a time when South African business was widely distorting whites and men. Rather than deterring her, however, she used her unique position as a source of inspiration. "I developed my own voice and my own strengths, and I had the very strong feeling that it was what I wanted to do … so no one could feel that I was not there. did not belong, "she said.
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Nearly two decades later, Pickering "absolutely [s] believes in the creation of a women's program. It is non-negotiable to make sure that there are always women in my productions and I work with female directors.
She added, "If a team sees that there is a responsible woman … there is a different environment, because they know they have to behave. They know that there is already someone who is the boss, who pays his salary. That is why there is not only people in front of the screen. It is [when] … there is a woman who is production manager, a woman who is a producer and who immediately creates a different space.
Pioneers like Pickering set the stage for young filmmakers like Lwazi Mvusi This week for the world premiere of her first feature film, "Farewell Ella Bella." "I've never had to deal with patriarchal issues [on set]," said Mvusi, who has worked extensively with women-owned production companies. "I did not have to go through that because I was in the position where women created equal spaces."
To his credit, the South African government has introduced a series of initiatives over the years to create opportunities for young black women like Mvusi. Her first short film was produced as part of the National Film & Video Foundation's "Women in Film" program, while "Farewell" was funded by the Emerging Black Filmmakers Fund, which awards 5.2 million rand (approximately $ 388,000) According to Sarah Dawson, director of the Sheffield Doc / Fest program, this support for black films, however, does not reach the entire industry, which indicates the scarcity of South African films in local cinemas. Noting how "our stories shape our identity," she asked, "What films do we need to see as a society? Is it South African? Is it African? Does this speak to our reality, or do we give ourselves that strange and alienated feeling of disconnection by constantly reflecting images imported into our space from outside our space? "
At an industrial meeting focused primarily on financing and production Dawson noted that 'we are talking a lot about making movies … we do not talk much about when they are seen, how they are seen , to whom they see, not only in relation to gender, but also in relation to our national identity, our local identity, our racial identities in South Africa. "
Pickering tackled it in speaking of his own childhood in front of the screen. "I was a little black girl, so [I saw] absolutely no pictures or stories about myself that reflected … the complexity of my life, and its humor, its dimensions" , did she say. Decades later, this deficit feeds it as a producer. "That's why I do it, that's why I get up every morning."
"In South Africa, black girls are extremely marginalized," said producer Mary-Ann Mandishona. Last year, as part of the "Girls Go to Cinema" program launched by Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), she helped hundreds of young black girls in rural and urban areas. South Africa's townships to see she described as "a film about clever female figures who yearn." In the end, she said, these images give black girls a way to imagine a different future for themselves.
Other obstacles remain. Although she is one of the most accomplished producers in the country, Pickering said that while working in a predominantly male environment, she is constantly faced with the "assumption that you can not do anything .. [and] your position, your thought, your opinion is undermined.
She added, "This is not someone who says you can not do it;"
Producer Cait Pansegrouw confessed to stealing a page from the male playbook, often wondering, "How would I do to get what I want if I were a man?" skill that comes with its own challenges. "Being ruthless or strong or honest are qualities that we are ashamed of, but if we were men, we would be respected. "
Citing a patriarchal system as the biggest challenge she faces, both as a producer and as a woman, Pansegrouw noted how a competitive industry with opportunities For women to create a toxic workplace culture that pits ambitious women against each other, she added, "One of the ways we can overcome is to unite as an organization. women. "
Mvusi agreed." It's a questi One of relationships and mutual trust as women to work together to transform the industry, "she said. Speaking of "Farewell," she added, "It was a real journey to be surrounded by women who said:" There is something in you, and we are going to cultivate that, and we will support you on this journey. ""
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