WORDS’ WORTH

It seems hard to believe the world has been without Nelson Mandela for over a year now. But that may not be entirely true. Through the efforts of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, as well as the rich legacy of humanity he left behind, it would seem the spirit of Madiba lives on stronger than ever. This feeling seemed to particularly come to life one chilly evening at the Freeworld Design Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. Here, talented filmmakers, friends of Montblanc and international journalists had gathered for the international première of the Power of Words film project, whose raison d’etre is to inspire filmmakers to explore the written legacy of iconic and influential figures as a source of story, and where film may be used as a tool of education. Here, in a packed auditorium, four out of five films were screened, each inspired by one of Madiba’s quotes. “This project actually began some five to six years ago when Tribeca Film Institute’s Tamir Muhammad asked about the possibility of a partnership to honour my grandfather,” shares Kweku Mandela, Madiba’s grandson. “I was initially reluctant as the ground has been traversed quite a bit already but this was different, as it is inspired by his legacy yet gives filmmakers the freedom to express their creativity.”

“The Power of Words – I think the name says it all already,” pointed out Jérôme Lambert, CEO of Montblanc International, prior to the screening. “As a company rooted in the culture of writing, we are delighted to see the extraordinary words of one of modern history’s most inspiring figures interpreted in film. We hope that through each of these films, others will continue to be inspired by his legacy.” Certainly, Mandela was a stellar choice; not just because he is a hero of the 20th century but also, in part, due to the history he shares with the brand. In the memoir Good Morning, Mr Mandela, Zelda la Grange, Madiba’s former loyal aide and private secretary, had written how the President was particular over just a few personal possessions: his empty wallet, ivory walking stick, wedding ring and his Montblanc pen, which he referred to as the ‘Presidential pen’ and had always worn it in his pocket until he fell ill. “In South Africa, people feel a sense of ownership over my grandfather,” adds Kweku, “but he was also a human being who, ultimately, wasn’t trying to do anything bold but just wanted to set an example. So, be it Kennedy or Maya Angelou, the world has many unique torch bearers, each lighting the way. And I think we must build importance of what they represented. The world needs role models like them.”

As a follow up to the Power of Words, the Tribeca Film fellows, together with the international media, were also taken to Robben Island the next day, to see where Madiba spent 18 out of his 27 years in prison. After seeing the small cell and the bleak living environment, as well as learning in-depth the horrors of Apartheid and stepping on the very ground it was brutally practised, it seems Madiba’s legacy is all the more vivid, poignant and vital. Perhaps it is the words of Thulani Mabaso, a former political prisoner who guided our visit around Robben Island, that summed up Madiba’s extraordinary legacy best: “Although his memory is sacrosanct and his status iconic, it serves us well to remember the horrors he’d faced and how he managed to triumph over the bleakest situations, never having his spirit broken and, above all, possessing the ability to forgive, move on and, ultimately, triumph over hate. Why is it important the world knows his story? It is because his legacy is proof that love conquers all and forgiveness is the way.” Perhaps, in these turbulent times, in the wake of the massacre of the innocents at Peshawar and of a crazed gunman in Sydney, it is good to remember one of Madiba’s most famous quotes, of how no one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, background or religion. May those who have been taught to hate, likewise, be taught to love. After all, as he has wisely spoken: “Love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite”. May we all of us find this to ring truer in the years to come.

Q&A with Zippy Kimundu
This talented young Kenyan filmmaker partnered with Mira Nair to produce a fork, a spoon & a KNIGHT, one of the Power of Words film project’s five short films, about an unknown shanty town boy who transforms one of Uganda’s largest slums into an internationally recognised chess sanctuary.

How did you get to know about the Power of Words project?
I discovered it through Maisha Film Lab, Mira Nair’s summer film training programme in Uganda. They’d contacted me and asked if I was interested in developing and co-directing a short film with her and, of course, I jumped at the opportunity! It was even more exciting to learn that the film would be part of a series based on quotes by Nelson Mandela and supported by amazing partners like Montblanc.

What drew you to Power of Words?
I knew it was a great opportunity for me as I’d just moved back to Kenya after completing my Masters in Fine Arts – Film at New York University-TischAsia in Singapore, and my mission was to return home and create amazing, important films. Mira Nair also knew she wanted to work with a younger filmmaker who’d gone through the Maisha programme. Having gone through it eight years ago, I was very lucky to be selected as her co-director out of 600 alumni. It was also great to work with an even younger Tribeca Film fellow, Jasmine Velez, from New York, who was a great addition to our team.

What was working with Mira Nair like?
It was one of the most memorable half-years of my life! Mira has always been a great inspiration as she’s a strong, creative female director who has made brilliant films over the years. So, being able to share ideas and spend months developing, shooting and editing the film with her was a great learning experience that made me grow in a huge way as a film director.

Tell me a little about the making of your film. I heard it was completely filmed in just three days.
We had spent a few months trying to find a story in East Africa that would be interesting and, most importantly, resonate with the inspiring and extraordinary story of Nelson Mandela. Mira had met this amazing chess teacher, Robert Katende, while researching her new Disney feature film adaptation of The Queen of Katwe. She asked me to read the book and let her know what I thought. When I did, I immediately fell in love with Robert. We started working on the script soon after and it took a bit of time to get it in good shape. But the production aspect was particularly challenging because our camera equipment and team were coming from South Africa, while others were coming from Kenya and the rest were based in Uganda. As you can imagine, it was quite intense bringing everyone together for a three-day shoot in Kampala, which was what our budget allowed. It was a great collaboration project as it brought together various professionals, Maisha alumni and a Tribeca Film fellow to share, learn and work on a professional film set.

As a filmmaker, what do you want the audience to walk away with after watching one of your creations?
I make different kinds of films but it’s always nerve-wracking, but also interesting, to see how they are received. But, with documentaries, I strive to stay true to the story, keep the characters as authentic as possible and also to tell the story in the most creative way. For this particular film, I was touched by the honest feedback I received but even more so when I saw people in the audience getting quite emotional during the screening.

Why did you feel Robert’s story was worth telling?
I was touched by what Robert was doing for the children in Kampala’s Katwe slum. He himself was an unknown slum boy who would have continued the cycle but chose to rise above everything and make a better life for himself and the community. With very little resources, he rebranded a slum into an international sanctuary of chess champions. As an African filmmaker settling back home after 11 years abroad, I believe in telling positive stories that would otherwise never see the light of day, as the world keeps seeing the same images portrayed in the media as ‘suffering content’. There is so much more to who we are. And, following Maisha’s slogan: ‘If we don’t tell our own stories, no one else will’. This has to change.

What were the greatest challenges working on this project?
Getting the team from so many different countries together, learning how everyone works and having to make a film within such a short time. It was, in all, a very intense production but also very rewarding.

Any highlights you’d care to share?
For me, the most memorable moment was the creative process of co-directing with Mira on set. Every scene felt like a little piece of a puzzle coming together. And just seeing the script we’d written come to life every second as we shoot gave me so much joy! Films succeed through successful collaborations and I must also thank our production and technical teams, who made all this possible.

What are your thoughts on the Power of Words project and why do you think it is important?
It’s so very important as it is a way to ensure that we spread and keep alive the legacy of extraordinary personalities who have shaped who we are. Equally, by teaming experienced and upcoming filmmakers together, it’s a great way to ensure these skills and knowledge are passed on to younger talents. Personally, I also feel I grew a lot as a filmmaker through this project as I had the opportunity to work with my mentor Mira, who is also such an amazing figure, as well as make a film inspired by Mandela, one of my greatest heroes!

And which of Mandela’s quotes resonate most with you – professionally and personally?
I have always loved and admired Mandela’s wisdom as he always seemed to choose his words very wisely, no matter where he was. I have three favourites:

1. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
2. “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
3. “Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise, even in the end.”

The last one is a particular favourite and also the one we chose to base our film on. I love it because we all go through tough moments in our lives, but it is really how we choose to handle those situations that, ultimately, determine the outcome – be it positive or negative.

And what else can we expect from you in the future?
I’m working on a number of projects at the moment but the most exciting one already in production is a feature documentary called Usista, a musical road movie which explores the hidden history of East African women. Another exciting project in development is a fiction feature film adaptation of a book titled Weep not, Child by the award-winning novelist, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o. It is about the experiences of a young boy growing up in colonial Kenya. This period film will be the first to tackle the issues of colonialism through the viewpoint of a Kenyan.