Where was the movie filmed?
Shot in Dar-Es-salaam in, Tanzania. Tanzania is located in East Africa and it is roughly the size of Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Lake Superior combined. The film crew stayed in Tanzania for about 35 days.
Why Tanzania?
Because Kibira Films is dedicated to making movies which incorporate Swahili, and what better place to be than Tanzania. Swahili is a language that is spoken by over 100 million people worldwide, yet there are very few movies represented in Film Festivals utilizing it. It is a national language of Tanzania, and let the truth be told, the director is from Tanzania.
Who sponsored the project?
Kibira Films International along with few friends.
What is the release date for Bongoland II?
Early 2008. The initial plans are to premiere in several cities at the same time, showcasing the movie in various film festivals.
How was UCLA connected to the project?
UCLA has a Swahili program as well as an International Studies department and a film school. This summer (2007) they wanted to add an element of being abroad where students could learn Swahili culture and incorporate that into filmmaking experience. Some students were film students, but not all.
What is the director’s experience?
Bongoland II is his third movie. See the site for the previous movies.
What was the experience in Tanzania like?
If you can make a movie in Tanzania, you can make a movie anywhere. There were some challenges but nothing earth shattering. Africa is not for sissies! You have to be ready to acclimatize very quickly and have unshakable focus. It was a challenge to some crew members, but overall the experience was great.
Who wrote the script for Bongoland II?
The script was written by Josiah Kibira who also directed and produced the movie.
How do you measure your success?
At the end of the day the answer has to be an unequivocal YES to this question - ‘Did we achieve what we set out to accomplish?” We ask this question in each phase. Pre-production phase, production and now in post production. ..This is work in progress. The earlier two phases were YES(s).
What was the size of Bongoland II’s crew?
There was about 18 – 20 crew members. That includes the crew from America, one from Canada and some from Tanzania.
Where is Bongoland?
Bongoland is a fictitious country created for the movie. Generally, most people think that it is in reference to Tanzania but that was not the whole intention of the writer. Bongoland was supposed to represent an African country. This could be anywhere in Africa. The experience from the main character is something which affects many people…whether they are from Africa or not. Any foreigner living in Europe, United States or elsewhere can relate to the experience. So, if you are from Spain living in the US, then Spain is your Bongoland as you go through life in the US.
Will the movie be shown in Africa?
Yes. When the time is right.
When will the movie come out on DVD?
The movie will first have to go through a series of film festivals. At the same it will be screened several cities around the United States and possibly Europe. After the festival run and the theatrical screening, then DVDs will be issued. The approximate date for that is between April and May 2008.
What cities are being considered for the screening?
We currently have these cities: Minneapolis/St Paul, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Columbus, Los Angeles and New York. This is what is planned. If you want your city to be considered please send information to info@kibirafilms.com
what are the next plans?
Two scripts are being developed right now. One for a feature film covering issues related to a Kenyan community in the United States, and the other one for an animated feature…in Swahili of course.
Will there be a Bongoland III?
We are not sure at this point. But there is an outline and a story line already developed for the story. We are not sure if it will develop into a movie.
Will there be another shoot in Africa in the future? If so, where?
Yes. There will definitely be another shoot in Africa. At this point, no particular country has been decided upon. Most of this will also depend on how well Bongoland II is accepted by the wider audience.
How can one be considered for future projects?
Keep watching cast calls from Kibira Films. Also you can send an email to info@kibirafilms.com to be added to a mailing list.
Is previous experience necessary to be considered?
No and yes. It all depends on the part. However, 90% of getting any job is showing up, 10% percent is being ready. If you are well prepared, there is a good chance you will get the part. Just show up at the casting calls and strut your stuff.
More information visit www.kibirafilms.com
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