A new message oriented film from Tanzania deals with human values and how the loss of dignity can lead to humiliation.
Produced by Tanzania’s Pili Pili Entertainment, Lost (A Journey to Nowhere), is a 2012 production directed by Sajni Srivastava, who also wrote and produced the film.
In Lost a woman falls into a trap without thinking because she craves money, only to realise later there is no way to undo the situation.
The film’s story revolves around a girl from a poor family who enters a relationship with an old man. Later on she meets a young guy her age and they fall in love. The love affair takes a dramatic turn when the girl discovers that her young lover is the son of the old man. She finds herself between a rock and a hard place – there is no place to go – she is lost.
Lost was shot in February this year with post-production completed by the first week of April. Locations included various naturally stunning places in Dar es Salaam, including Kunduchi Resort, Mombasa Resort in Sinza and Coco Beach.
Shot on Sony HDV Z-7 with a two-camera set-up, the film’s budget was around 18 million shillings, excluding distribution and marketing costs. The film’s release is likely to cost a further 10 million shillings including DVD mastering, printing, posters and inlays.
Commenting on the film’s production director Srivastava says: “From pre-production to post-production, the film took nearly 45 days with the crew working tirelessly day and night. The shoot went very smoothly and everybody enjoyed their respective roles. It was a fun and enjoyable experience; every day was like a picnic for all of us.’
Lead roles in the movie are played by local talents Ahmed Olotu (Chillo), Baby Madaha, Yusuph Mlela, Jackline Pentazel and Mama Mpangala. These actors are all famous in Tanzania and considered leading superstars of Bongo movies.
Lost was screened at the Zanzibar International Film Festival 2012.
By Martin Chemhere
Screen Africa magazine – August 2012
