By Omar Wally
The founder of Fandema Theater and Film Production has called on Gambians to partner, support and recognize The Gambian Movie Industry. Sheikh Omar Sawaneh, an actor, director, script writer and film producer made these remarks on Tuesday, during an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network.
Sawaneh who said he has always been passionate about acting since school days started his acting career in 2007, and has been in most of the movies produced by Ghanians and Nigerians in the Gambia. “When I say support, it is not just financial support but moral support and recognition of our efforts” he said.
Sawaneh’s Fandem Theater and Film Production last month got twelve nominations and received eleven awards from the Special Movie Awards during their event last weekend. The awards include, best Director, best Costume Design and best Indigenous Movies.
He expressed delight and described the awards as long overdue. “Gambians have been in the film industry for a long time and there has never been a platform like the Special Movie Award to celebrate the creative art.”
The awards he said means a lot adding that it’s portraying The Gambian movie industry to the world. It is through this that people get to know that Gambia has film makers and actors that can march international standard said Sawaneh. “The award is promoting us, because whatever you do, if people don’t know about you, they won’t know what you can do.”
Sawaneh who received best leading actor award last year said when he did his movie “In Ya Face,” two months ago, location was a problem.
“Even for Gambians to allow us use their premises and cars most people didn’t allow it.”
He said when you watch movies on the channels, the houses and beautiful cars used are not owned by film makers, they are either rented or someone offered them to the actors for use.
“We want Gambians to support and give us facilities to showcase our talent. Gambians can do a lot, if our films are played in flights and tv channels, that means we are on track, so all we need is support.”
If we produce movies he added people should buy them and not pirate them, because buying means supporting us.
Sawaneh who wrote and staged the dramas during EU’s Access to Justice Legal Campaign, emphasized the need and importance of using performing art as it is the fastest way in creating awareness.
He added that even though EU’s Access to Justice project has ended, many people are still watching the dramas produced on dispute resolution and justice mechanisms portraying institutions such as Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat, National Agency For Legal Aid (NALA) and Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG).
He commended the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) as the main implementing partners of the project and the entire EU Access To Justice team for the trust and confidence bestowed on him.
