A new documentary focuses on the life of Ester Phiri, a Zambian female boxing champion.
Women on Hold, the first feature documentary by Zambian film director Jessie Chisi, has been in the making for more than three years. It looks at the rags-to-riches life of Ester Phiri, who boxed her way out of the slums of Lusaka to world champion status.
The project was selected for the Finance Forum at the 2010 Durban FilmMart, where it was deemed best pitch project and most promising script.
“I hope to complete the film by the end of 2012 and submit it for the international festival circuit,’ says Chisi. “We commenced filming in 2009 and the shoot has gone according to schedule, given that we had to be patient along the way. Ester Phiri is a busy person and she would often tire of cameras following her around. So we would wait patiently until she was ready to be filmed.
“Making this film has been a bitter-sweet experience for me. It’s been very hard but has turned me into a strong woman.’
Phiri attained world champion boxing status at a young age – she is only 26 this year. A single mother, Phiri rose out of extreme poverty and is the first ever Zambian female boxer. Through her success she has helped to bring about recognition to the plight of female sporting personalities in her country and in Africa.
A World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion, Phiri has won nearly every fight of her career with six titles to her belt, including the Women International Boxing Federation Super Featherweight world title.
A woman’s perspective
In her subject the director sees a fighter who has proved herself to the world but remains a gentle, affectionate woman on the inside.
As a female filmmaker, Chisi explains why she wanted to tell Phiri’s story: “I think women understand their subjects better than men. The film seeks to demystify the notion that women filmmakers aren’t capable of matching or surpassing their male counterparts. This is the reason why this film has an entire female crew barring the producer.’
Women on Hold is produced by Finland’s Helmi Film and Zambia’s Outline 35.
Chisi trained as a director in Finland in 2008 and now alternates between the two countries.
She notes that Zambia’s film industry is still virgin land, abundant with untapped stories and talent. “This is my destiny – to tell stories of how beautiful Africa is and let people know that this amazing continent has loads of wonderful stories and people.’
Chisi’s previous three films are all fictional shorts that she wrote and made in Finland. Unborn is a story about giving birth before one is ready; Good Bye tells of a young man who comes to terms with his mother’s death from cancer; and Every Woman Knows explores the fears that come with love.
By Martin Chemhere
Screen Africa magazine – May 2012
