ACT THREE, SCENE FOUR

INT. NIGHT. KIGALI SERENA HOTEL.
(Friday, July 23)

So, its the big night! We've all gathered to attend the Rwanda Film Festival closing night party which is being held in the same hotel. As we walk in, there's a science fiction film in progress. (We grab a glass of wine and move on down to the front row.) PUMZI, the name of the film, is an amazing story that brings together issues around the environment (global warming), political intrigue, and self sacrifice. Set 35 years after World War III, its a mesmerising story about the "Water Wars".

Right after a short Q&A by the Rwanda Film Center director, another film rolls--SOUL BOY. Set in contemporary times and staged in Nairobi's largest slum, it tells the story of a teenager whose father looses his soul to a local witch. Caring and concerned he takes on the task of redeeming his father's soul. Apparently, a West German film company put together a project on a shoe-string budget, brought down production crew heads and hired local talent for the production. Filmed on location its a huge cinematic success story and I can't wait to see it again in theaters in the US.


These were the last few films before the 2010 awards were announced and as we sat quietly marveling at the films we had just seen (and wondering what we must have missed!), the Film Festival Director, Pierre Kayitana came to mic to announce the winners. Lo and behold SOUNDTRACK OF A REVOLUTION wins "BEST DOCUMENTARY" for the 6th Annual Rwanda Film Festival and we're all called up front (by name) to accept the award on behalf of the filmmakers.

Wow!


So! On to the concert....Lokua Kanza is preceded by two marvelous acts that, unfortunately, none of us knew the names of. The Minister of Sports and Culture introduces him and, again unfortunately, I don't understand French as well as I can speak it (and interesting I can apparently read it out load as if I were a native speaker). Anyway, he is a singer/songwriter who was born in the Congo (his mother is Rwandan) and he has quite an international reputation. (Wouldn't you know it, when Patti and I got back from the Embassy we took the elevator up and two musicians got in. She greeted both of them and darned if one wasn't Lokua!!!) The music is fantastic but around 10:30 I have to bow out. I make do with a veggie-burger for dinner and head back to the room and crash. I am told Charles and Eddie left an hour after me, Patti stayed until half-past midnight.