The Lesotho film industry is looking to collaborate with both government and the private sector to take to a higher level.
Film writer, director, producer and entrepreneur Khauhelo Lephema notes that the audience appreciates and enjoys locally produced films, something that government doesn’t seem to understand; hence the unlikelihood to appreciate the industry and give it the required support.
“As for private sector, some understand and support it. But much of their understanding is not yet at the industrial level. Most of them still don’t quite understand how much financial backing it needs to bear fruits like in other countries such as USA (Hollywood), India, (Bollywood), to name a few.
“The industry is a very broad business; it’s a business of telling stories visually, stories replicate life in an entertaining way, hence its ability to employ every talent and skill set available. This means it is guaranteed to solve some major problems such as high unemployment. If I want to make a story about medical doctors, I have to employ a doctor for consultency in order to make the story authentic.
“I’m certain that many local filmmakers and actors are ready for the industry; there’s fairly enough equipment, ample talent and skills, lots and lots of good local stories the world doesn’t know about, world-standard film industry literacy, time and determination. The only thing missing from the equation is money. We are trying to build the film industry in Lesotho with nothing but skill and equipment. But if we want an industry we need financial solid backing,” Lephema said.
He noted with dismay that many Basotho still have doubts as far as investing in film industry is concerned, because it is a relatively new industrial concept that has never been used in Lesotho with no local reference.
Lephema’s wish is to make people aware that film production requires a collaborative effort and a lot of research and variety of skills and talents.
“This means anyone can be employed in their own areas of expertise. That nature of film industry alone can greatly reduce the high unemployment rate in Lesotho where over 50 percent of students don’t get employed after graduating from college or varsity.
“An example of a film production weaving together a diverse set of skills is THE LORD OF THE RINGS. The author of the novel the story was derived from got paid; architects were hired to set up structures, drawing artists were hired as concept designers, musicians were hired to produce music and sounds for the film; and residents of the town around where the post production of the film took place were hired just to make random screamings that were used as ambient sounds of some scenes in the film.”
