In the Central African Republic, cinema has undergone a real revolution in recent years. This trigger is not only caused by the birth of numerous private production companies, but also the launch, in 2020, of the Ciné-Bangui project. This initiative, run by experts from the National Cinema School of Lyon in France and the Alliance Française of Bangui, aims to train talents for the development of Central African cinema.
From our correspondent in Bangui,
Concentrated in front of around ten computers, the young directors and filmmakers work on film projects. They produce and direct their own short and feature films on the culture, customs, wealth and daily life of Central Africans.
“ Cinema has always existed in Central African Republic. It’s true that it is not highly valued, but there are people who have always made efforts in this area. », explains Daniel, filmmaker and sound technician. “ The Ciné-Bangui project began in 2020. It is a project funded by the French Embassy, intended to train young Central Africans in cinema. Thanks to this initiative, many people are starting to be interested in Central African cinema, with a new generation who are ensuring that cinema is consumed nationally and internationally. »
A cinema respected and represented on an international scale
The Central African Republic today has around a hundred filmmakers. They make films and participate in several festivals in Africa and around the world, some of which win awards. Orphée Zaza is one of them.
“ For five or six years, Central African cinematography has been respected and represented internationally », underlines Orphée Zaza. “ For example, we have the film Makongo which has met with great international success with several awards. We also have the film by filmmaker Rafiki Fariala. We, students!, who has won around a hundred prizes and more than 200 international selections. As a director, I made two short films which allowed me to be visible in 2021 at Burkina FasoAt Fespaco. »
Also listenRafiki Fariala, Central African film director
For Central African financing of its cinema
In 2022, the film Sexuality not before marriage by young filmmaker Emmanuella Lalanga won an award at the “ Bangui makes its cinema » and screened in several theaters in Europe. Despite this progress, she notes challenges to be overcome.
“ In the Central African Republic, there is no commission to finance films. All the time, we turn to international commissions to seek funding », relates Emmanuella Lalanga. “ The film is money. Cinematography is a whole chain with different trades. If we don’t have the means, we can’t make films “, she insists.
And to dream big, Orphée Zaza offers a solution: “ We now need political involvement, that is to say the creation of a production and development fund, to allow filmmakers to make films. This fund will also allow them to make advances with a view to seeking international co-productions. », pleads Orphée Zaza.
However, professional fabric remains fragile. Filmmakers do not always have easy access to television acquisitions to promote their film in the Central African Republic and on a global scale.
