Africa Film WebMeeting

Message from: Steve Smith (african-cinema-conference@xc.org)
About: What African film has been best distributed?

Fri, 31 May 1996 11:33:57 -0400

Originally from: SteveSmith@xc.org (Steve Smith)
Originally dated: Fri, 31 May 1996 11:33:57 -0400

I'd like to hear people's opinions on this subject. I realize that it is
hard to define "African film" and "best distributed" but....

I would put forth "Jit" -- a Zimbabwean film -- it didn't do so well in
Zimbabwe, but it is available in my local Blockbuster in Maryland, USA, and
I hear about it playing in theaters around the USA... "Jit" may be the best

distributed in the USA. Its American distributor, Northern Lights (?)
doesn't sell it as African product as much a light "yellow submarine" type
film. It is their only African film.

"Love Brewed in an African Pot" is the one film I hear about often as the
widest distributed in Africa. It played well in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Media for Development Trust's films, "Neria" and "More Time" have done well.

"Neria" was the box office leader for a while in Zimbabwe, taking over from

"Terminator II," but then, "Basic Instinct" took the record later. "More
Time" did the best of any African film in Kenya, I believe, second to "Love
Brewed..."

I'd love to hear from others what they think of these thoughts. Please let
us
know others that have done as well or better...

Steve Smith
scs@dsr.us.net

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