05 May 2022

The 4th edition of the European Union Film Festival, themed Family is expected to rekindle family ties that have been strained as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four-day film festival, which commenced on Wednesday in Gaborone, is organized by the European Union delegation to Botswana and SADC in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise de Gaborone. It will be extended to Maun on May 13- 14th.

The aim is to examine families from various backgrounds and try  to bring them together through a series of five different international films and two locally produced short films.

International films including Our Struggles was produced in 2018 in Belgium and France, while Romy’s Salon was produced in the Netherlands and Germany in 2022. 

Botswana films Ka Nswazi, released this year, and Dithunya tsa rona released last year will also be aired. 

During the official opening, the European Deputy Ambassador to Botswana Silvia Bopp Hamrouni, said that given the negative impact the pandemic had on some families, such as deaths and other health-related issues,  found it fit to develop measures to support and inspire survivors as well as those who were still dealing its aftermaths.

“During the pandemic, some families were forced to bear an extra burden, which resulted in burn-outs and mental health issues caused by extended lock-downs.” 

Gender-based violence is also on the rise, among other things. Despite the pandemic’s negative impact, it is critical support each other  other,  hence the theme Family.    

She added that the films were also intended to motivate families, stating that some would see what other families  experienced and  how they overcame the difficulties.

The Director of Alliance Francaise Botswana, Angelique Saverino, stated that the film festival was also a stepping stone towards the promotion of cultural aspects between France and Botswana. 

She also praised artists for their eye-opening work based on various social issues that existed in most societies.

“Because the characters are everyday people doing their best to overcome challenges,” she says, “the screenings will leave a grateful feeling and a sense of hope to those challenges.”

Attendees were treated to a screening of the film Her Job, which was released in 2019 produced in Greece and France, directed by Nikos Labot.

The story revolved around a 37-year-old illiterate married woman who led a simple life; she had a rebellious daughter and a young sensitive son, and her husband gambled with the  meagre income

The woman was trapped in a domestic environment that prevented her from achieving independence; one day, an opportunity for a job as a cleaner at a nearby mall sparked her interest in a new life.

She was eager and quickly became a model employee. 

She also gained financial independence, allowing her to expand her social life beyond the confines of her apartment.

Her family respected her blossoming at home, but her newly gained autonomy was about to be prematurely pruned by a series of layoffs at work. Ends