population pressures > films > everyone's child
Everyone's Child
Posted: 04 Sep 2000
This moving, beautifully shot and acted feature film, is the latest to come from the Media for Development Trust in Zimbabwe, whose producers have pioneered a genre of African drama that has proved both popular and successful.
Everyone's Child tackles the huge problem of the orphans of AIDS, with a lightness of touch and a warmth of spirit that makes the film both entertaining and uplifting. It focuses on the lives of two village children whose father and mother die, leaving them to face a strange world of adult responsibility.
© TVE
One, a boy takes off to the city, only to find a hostile world of violence and crime. The other, a teenage girl with two younger children to support, falls into debt at the local store and succumbs to the blandishments of the male storekeeper, much to her own sorrow and disgrace.
The ensuing tragedy, and the final triumph as her true love and the community rally round, is told through some fine acting and with telling touches of direction by Commonwealth Literature Prize winner, Tsitsi Dangarembga. Her achievement is all the more remarkable as this is her first feature film.
The project was the brainchild of Johnny Persey, who also co-produced it with funding support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and others. DFID deserve praise for backing such an imaginative film which will give heart to all those battling against AIDS in Africa.
Everyone's Child (and a shortened version and sound track) may be obtained from Jonny Persey at 47 The Ridgeway, London N3 2PG. Tel: , Fax: , Email: or from the Media for Development Trust at 135 Union Avenue, PO Box 6755, Harare, Zimbabwe, Tel: , Fax: , Email:
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