IFP Rejection

Zambian Forge was rejected from the IFP Market and Conference.
Also, FORGEing Futures was rejected from the UNAFF festival.
It's been a tough couple of days.

David

Theft in Transit

Now, I'm in Boston, where I am awaiting my flight to San Francisco. It took me 2 hours to get through security with the film, so I missed my original flight. Not only did security here open every can inside my dark bag, but they also swabbed the INSIDE of every tin for explosives, which also had to be done in the bag. Very thurough.

I also went through customs here, where I discovered the bag which was checked in at the last second in Lusaka, and for which I was charged, had several items stolen. My new 9.5mm lens was stolen, as was my entire Nikon D70 outfit, including the pictures from end of my time in Meheba and all of Livingston pictures, none of which had been downloaded to the computer. I did not have a chance to check my other bags, which I had wrapped in plastic before checking them in, but at least $4000.00 worth of equipment is gone, and I'm pretty sure the same people in Lusaka who made me check them stole the stuff, as they saw me pack it in.

It's a poor way to end the trip. The last few days have been a financial disaster for me, and I'm emotionally drained. More details after I return to San Francisco.

David

Meheba Wrap

Thursday, July 21st, 2005

Once again, I’m writing from an airplane. This time it’s on my British Airways flight from Nairobi to London. We weren’t supposed to go to Nairobi, but we had to because both of the fuel loading trucks in Lusaka are down, meaning no fuel can be given to planes at the moment. We stopped in Nairobi to refuel, and then had to jump start the 767 to get the engines going again. Africa. At least they didn’t x-ray my film. [note: later we had to divert again to Rome to change flight crews due to the delay. I have been on this flight for 20 hours!]

I spend another whole day at customs yesterday. Advice to anyone bringing gear in or out of countries around here: it’s a big hassle. Plan for it. I got lucky last year.

I truly enjoyed my last days in Meheba. I took the time to make my goodbyes, and reflect upon the fact I may never return, except through my footage. Even if I did, most of the people around will have repatriated or, in the case of the Zambians, moved on. It’s kind of sad I have to say. Meheba was a good place, and despite the fact that repatriation is a good thing for refugees, it’s sad to see the Meheba community disintegrating. Unlike last year, this year I’m leaving with the feeling Meheba won’t be around much longer, despite all of the other nationalities of refugees there. What will happen is hard to say, but with a new copper mine only 7 km away, anything is possible. The FORGE library is so successful, there is even talk of turning Meheba High School into a Junior College. Who knows?

I shot 2 rolls of film on my last full day in Meheba, and interviewed Tom and Mwanza. Then I packed my gear away, had a goodbye dinner with the FORGE 2005 volunteers, Sister Caroline, Isaac (another Sudanese refugee I interviewed), and Zezito. Zezito is only weeks away from repatriating, and I look forward to hearing what happens with him in Angola. On that last evening I learned his father was the UNITA governor of Luanda when they had control of the capitol years ago. So of course his family had to flee, and I can understand why he was hesitant to return. He is ready now.

I rode to Lusaka with a repatriation convoy of returnees who will be flown to Angola. It was interesting seeing people – many of whom had never traveled further than Solwezi – observing new places. Still, it was a long bus ride, 12 hours, and it will be a tough time for the returnees, who will spend up to 2 months in a camp in Angola before reaching final destinations.

In the end I shot 23 A-Minima rolls of S16 and 23 hours of video this year, plus the digital stills and time-lapse. I did exactly what I wanted, in the sense that I avoided shooting a new film entirely, and focused on the material that will make Zambian Forge a better, more well rounded piece. I’m looking forward to actually arriving in San Francisco and beginning the post-production with the new material.

The other thing I’m going to need to deal with soon is securing more funding. In the end, despite the promises, the funding that was supposed to come from Geno and Students for Humanity that was the tipping point of my decision to return is apparently not coming through, at least at the moment. There is a possibility for the funds to come in the future, but I was expecting them in weeks, not in months or next year. It’s amazing how willing so many people are to support what I’m doing every which way but financially. At the end of the day, I’m a cameraman, not a producer. At least I recognize that.

Last update on this round..
I got through Heathrow again without having my film x-rayed, for which I consider myself fortunate given the sad events of the last few hours while I was en route. Again they opened every can, and swabbed the tins. American also charged me $110 because British Airways made me buy a different bag to use as a carry-on in Lusaka, and checked my original suitcase through to San Francisco. They also don't have access to the photography pre-bookings I made in the USA before leaving. I hate airlines.

Right now I’m waiting for my flight to the USA. I will be back in San Francisco in just a few more hours. I am looking forward to it!

David

Plans Change

Thursday, July 14th, 2005

There is a joke that goes like this:
Q: "How do you make God laugh?"
A: "Make a plan."

Tomorrow is my last day here in Meheba, and though it's been a good trip, and has definitely added a lot to my film, I really have to say that it didn't turn out to be what I planned for.

Yesterday was a good example. I finally had arranged to ride a UNHCR repatriation convoy. I was - again - only scheduled to go to the Angolan border, but on a different route than last year. (The cross-border pass never worked out, partially because I dropped the issue after discovering the arrival time for the convoys I could ride was hours after dark.) The plan I did make was coming after 2 prior attempts to shoot convoys leaving Meheba that were frustrated by group dynamics. Too many people are competing for 1 vehicle, and we are late everywhere we try to go. Both of the previous times I headed to shoot convoys departing, they were gone by the time I got there. Very frustrating. As our living space on road 26 is about 20 kilometers from the Departure Center, it's also not a simple thing to just get around without transport, especially hauling a shooting kit with you.

Yesterday morning I was ready to go. Bags packed, with a good night sleep under my belt, I awoke at 6:30 to head out. Only... our vehicle was gone. Mwanza, our driver, forgot I was going, and left without me a few minutes before I woke up. We have no communications here, so after a moment's pause, I decided to forgo the overnight part of my trip and grabbed my Aaton bag. I hitched a ride to the departure center, and arrived just in time to see the FORGE van departing, with my traveling companion Matt on board. He had spent the night at the center to meet people before the trip, and somebody stole his backpack, forcing him to forgo the trip and instead deal with the police. At least I got some footage that time around.

Over the last weeks I have done follow-up interviews with Victor, Paul, Brown, Rachel, Sister Caroline, Geno, Zezito, Thomas, as well as some other first time interviews. I shot 19 of my 24 rolls of S16, and I'll probably shoot another 1 or 2 tomorrow before I pack. People definitely have been reacting to the Aaton differently than the video camera, mostly because I can't show them what I'm shooting while I'm shooting, and because it just plain looks more expensive. One person said it reminded him of a RPG, which was a weird feeling.

In any case, many people, especially children, have gotten used to my role as the photographer / journalist in the community. My photo printer has caused a stir. People have truly appreciated being given copies of their photos, especially as they are higher quality than what people usually see from local film labs. At least a few individuals have walked significant distances to come looking for their photos, and others have offered to pay me for them (which I declined, of course). Tracking everyone down is too much effort for the time I have, so the extra photos I've printed are going into the FORGE art center to decorate, and for people to pick up. I'm leaving it behind for Tom to bring back, so other Forgies can make use of it in their extra 2 weeks in Meheba.

Alcoholism is a big problem around here. One drink in particular, Cachasu, is an issue. It's kind of a strong spirit, sometimes enhanced with agricultural fertilizer. I'm bringing it up because our guard was drinking it tonight, and just started shooting his gun, an AK47 I think, at imaginary intruders. Time to go to bed.

David

Flexibility

Tuesday June 28th, 2005

Flexibility. That's the ticket.
As we were driving from Lusaka to Meheba I had a moment where I realized, once again, that I was entering a new situation. I have equipment, supplies, film, ideas, and a shot list, but upon arrival, reality would intervene.

Almost 2 weeks later, it has. The Angolan repatriations are nothing compared to last year, and certainly will not provide compelling film to match the video I shot last year. Unfortunate. Some of the heroes of the film are no longer seeming so heroic, and other people are set upon by a variety of other issues that are brand new. The follow up is going to be great, and pretty compelling as a segment of the film. I made the right decision coming back. But nothing is going to be what I expected, except the library.
Zezito may have been stealing from the sports league, or may be a victim of jealousy.
Rachel is dying from AIDS.
Thomas lost his sponsorship to school.

Transport and logistics have put me on "African time" so far - things are moving slowly. They should pick up at the end of this week, as Geno and Brandon arrive, and interviews begin (now that I've tracked people down).

I have done well so far with the still photography project. People are very happy to be getting photos of themselves, and I've taken many great stills already. I've also had good luck with the digital timelapse system. Will provide some extra interesting visuals.

I don't get out of the bush much, but the next time I do, I should have more to report.

David