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The security crisis in Burkina Faso has impacted every aspect of society, including its film industry. The 28th edition of the Pan-African Film & TV Festival of Ouagadougou, or FESPACO, which ended earlier this month [March 4], reflected this difficult situation both on and off screen. Reporters Yacouba Ouedraogo and Thierry Kaore have this story, narrated by Salem Solomon
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Burkina Faso Film – Ouedraogo
HEADLINE: Burkina Faso Film Festival Highlights Security Threats
TEASER: Filmmakers at the pan-African film festival discuss the difficulties they face both on and off screen
PUBLISHED AT: 03/09/2023 at 8:30am
BYLINE: Thierry Kaore, Yacouba Ouedraogo
WRITER: Salem Solomon
DATELINE: OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO
VIDEOGRAPHER: Thierry Kaore, Yacouba Ouedraogo
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Enochs, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE(S): VOA Original
TRT: 2:18
APPROVED BY: KE
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO__
EDITOR NOTES:
))
((INTRO))
[[The security crisis in Burkina Faso has impacted every aspect of society, including its film industry. The 28th edition of the Pan-African Film & TV Festival of Ouagadougou, or FESPACO, which ended earlier this month [March 4], reflected this difficult situation both on and off screen. Reporters Yacouba Ouedraogo and Thierry Kaore have this story, narrated by Salem Solomon.]]
((NARRATION))
When Burkinabe film director Apolline Traoré decided three years ago to show the world what daily life looks like under the dark cloud of terrorism, she encountered a severe obstacle.
((Apolline Traoré, Burkinabe Film Director)) ((Female, in French))
“When we left, I was accompanied by the army, who was of extraordinary support for me, and we found the place where we had to shoot, and unfortunately, a week later, we had the problem of Solhan.”
((NARRATION))
The June 2021 terrorist attack in the northern village of Solhan left dozens dead and shocked the nation. Life changed for many in the country, including Traoré.
((Apolline Traoré, Burkinabe Director)) ((Female, in French))
“The government forbade me to go there. It was three months of filming, and if we ask an army to come and provide us with security for three months, you see how complicated it is. They have other priorities.”
((NARRATION))
Traoré’s full-length feature film “Sira” won the Yennenga Silver Stallion award at the Pan-African Film and TV Festival of Ouagadougou, known as FESPACO.
But Traoré isn’t the only filmmaker who had to deal with the security situation in the country.
((Fanta Régina Nacro, Burkinabe Film Director)) ((Female, in French))
“I advise you to simply go and see the Burkina section. You will see that out of 10 Burkinabe films, 9 deal with the issue of insecurity in our country. It gives a general idea of the fragile psychological state of the people, but also the hope that we hold on to.”
((NARRATION))
For some actors, hope is all they have. Work is scarce, and many haven’t been on a film set for a very long time.
((Delphine Ouattara, Actor)) ((Female, in French))
“Since the security crisis in our country, I haven’t even worked on a film set. That’s been more the case for the past two years.”
((NARRATION))
Organizers say simply holding the event was a triumph.
((Alex Moussa Sawadogo, FESPACO Delegate General)) ((Male, in French))
“It went very well, and we are proud of that. Proud not only to have held the FESPACO, but also to have organized it in very good conditions and with professionalism too.”
((NARRATION))
Tunisian filmmaker Youssef Chebbi edged past Traoré for the festival's top prize, the coveted Yennenga Gold Stallion, for his film "Ashkal."
((For Yacouba Ouedraogo and Thierry Kaore, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Salem Solomon, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 9, 2023 08:38 EST
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
