The Anglo-Ethiopian Society
Lecture - Ethiopian Film
Mike Hailu and Mike Thomas
Saturday 6th August 2016
1:30pm to 4:30pm, Room B102, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG - Public lecture (all welcome)
This afternoon session will include two presentations by experts who have studied film in Ethiopia.
In the first lecture by Mike Hailu he tries to answer the question: What can Ethiopian filmmakers learn from the 120-year-long history of film theory and practical knowhow in order to produce a successful film? He cites the easy accessibility of affordable industry-standard digital filmmaking equipment today so filmmakers in developing countries like Ethiopia are in a better position than ever before to produce good quality films and export them to the wider world. Ethiopian filmmakers could capitalise on the success of proven Hollywood and European filmmaking techniques and apply their systematic approaches to the production process in order to produce globally-marketable films. This presentation will include a short film by Mike.
It will be followed by another presentation by Mike Thomas who previously spoke to the society on cinema in Ethiopia. His theme this time will be the key actors and structures of cinema in Ethiopia. He will also talk about the importance of the two genres, yefiker film (love films) and asekign yefiker film (humorous love films) and why they are so prolific in Ethiopian cinemas today. His talk will include clips from key films which may offer an overview of the types of films being popularly consumed in Ethiopia since the industry took off in the early 2000s.
Capacity at the venue is limited, so please reserve your place soon to avoid disappointment.