The following item from the Addis Ababa paper, The Daily Monitor, was
seen on AllAfrica.com at
http://allafrica.com/stories/200703120839.html . It concerns another
initiative to use audio-visual technology in Amharic for children (see
message #798). (It also raises the question: are there cartoons or
animated films in or translated in other African languages?)... Don
Ethiopia: First Locally Made Cartoon Film Released
The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
[no URL]
March 11, 2007
Posted to the web March 12, 2007
Binyam Tamene
Addis Ababa
An Ethiopian-made film, believed to be instrumental in entertaining
and educating Ethiopian children was inaugurated last week.
The film is seen as a pioneer in a country where Ethiopian-made
cartoon films written in any of the languages in the country are
totally non-existent.
The film in the Amharic language is based on a poem by the veteran
writer Kebede Michael, mostly known for his memorable children books,
with a soundtrack playing melodies of children's favorite songs like
the famous children song 'Beza Bebega' said the film aims at nurturing
and educating children while simultaneously entertaining them".
"Cartoon films are typical educational and entertaining instruments
for children," film director Teshome Kifle said speaking at the
inauguration ceremony.
"Unfortunately it does not seem that much attention is given to
cartoon film production in Ethiopia, unlike other countries in the
developed world." He said he has plans to produce similar films in
other Ethiopian languages, provided that he secures sponsorship for
his projects.
"Painters should be given some course about painting for animation for
it is difficult to get scholar in the field for the production of his
film," the film director, who is a computer expert said adding there
needs to bring artists in the area of cartoon film making.
"Art schools in the country particularly have to give this due
attention to tap in to this untouched genre," Teshome urged.
He said the 200,000 birr film, which runs for 54 minutes in which more
than seven actors participate in voice, will be aired via ETV with
arrangements with the state- run television.
Teshome's cartoon film could be considered as the first locally
produced film and 'the first to be released in DVDs and VCDs formats
in the country' Extending his admiration and respect for the film
maker for coming up with the cartoon film, comedian Assres Bekele said
the Teshome's work deserves support and encouragement.
But he said the film had "some technical defects." According to the
comedian and children entertainer, the film has drawbacks for using
music in foreign language, which he said could be easily corrected.
Copyright © 2007 The Daily Monitor. All rights reserved.
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