Interview: Gordy De St. Jeor - Director of "The Thrill"

"My name is Gordy De St. Jeor. I'm 19 years old, but I've been working in the film industry since I was 13 as an actor. Eventually, I decided I wanted to create films for myself, and I've been DP'ing and directing films and music videos ever since. I have a strong background in music, having been on tour 5 times shooting video content for bands like "The Driver Era", "Iron Maiden/The Raven Age", and "Jesse McCartney", while also being a musician myself. I have also shot music videos for artists like "Wolfgang Van Halen" and "Kat Von D." I have DP'd a few short films over the years, and directed a few small ones, but this film was a passion project of mine, and I'd like to call it my directorial debut."

ROFFEKE: Your bio is so interesting! You say you have “a strong background in music, having been on tour 5 times shooting video content for bands…while also being a musician myself.” How did your being a musician help you in shooting video content for bands?

GORDY: I would say having a basic understanding and passion for music in general has helped me more than anything. Being able to anticipate when moments are going to happen is crucial to getting the shot sometimes. Also being a lover of music and being able to put that passion into your work is absolutely crucial in my opinion. 

ROFFEKE: What are some lessons you learned from creating this content for bands?

GORDY: I think above all I've learned that you need to not be afraid to get creative. Especially when you are on tour shooting the same show for an extended period of time, you need to be able to find ways to still make it interesting. This is different for every project, but you need to be willing to cross into the uncertain and take creative risks to keep the product interesting and exciting. You also want to always be prepared to capture the moment, even if you won't use most of the footage. 

ROFFEKE: What are some similarities and/or differences between shooting such content for bands versus filming narrative content, like your awesome short film “The Thrill”?

GORDY: The processes of shooting with bands and shooting narrative film couldn't be more different in my opinion. The approaches are almost completely opposite, in one you have no control over what the subject is going to do, therefore you are trying to predict and capture anything that does happen, and then make some sort of story out of it later. The other is meticulously planned, and you know exactly what you are shooting when you are shooting it. The goal is to try and insert the same spontaneous energy into the narrative work, and give the audience a sense of uncertainty throughout the film, which is a very tough task. I would say for this film, knowing what it is like to shoot bands on stage with thousands of fans helped a lot in trying to recreate that energy in a completely fabricated environment. 

ROFFEKE: For musicians wanting to get into filming or musicians wanting to collaborate with filmmakers, what advice would you give them?

GORDY: I think music and film are extremely compatible, and my advice would be to try to have fun and experiment with that compatibility. For me, it's really fun to try and see how different visuals react with different music. Music has the power to change the tone or message of a visual completely, and the same is true in the reverse. I would say trust your collaborators and don't be afraid to step out of the box and see how mixing these mediums can create new ways to express complex feelings and situations. Not to be unoriginal, but enjoy the process because for me, music and film are married and it's always extremely exciting to see what they can do together. 

ROFFEKE: In your director’s statement, you say “I made this film to explore the struggles we go through as artists, and to question, whether or not that struggle is worth it for the thrill.” As a creative, I know for sure that the struggle is worth it. In your view, WHY is the struggle worth it? What makes it worth it?

GORDY: To be completely honest, I'm still not sure if it is worth it. I know that if I'm not expressing myself in a creative way I might go crazy, but I'm not fully convinced that sacrificing yourself as it seems Daniel does in The Thrill is really worth the benefits that come with it. I think it's important to address the fact that a lot of artists, struggling or not, are not mentally healthy and have problems that they are actively dealing with through their chosen medium. And while that process can be and is often therapeutic, I'm not convinced that it can solve all of your problems when you dig yourself that deep. What happens when you sacrifice yourself for something and it works? What about the moment after? What about when it doesn't work? What are we really doing to ourselves? Why are we doing this to ourselves? I don't mean to be dark, I do really think art is one of the most important parts of us and we wouldn't be human without it. The act of expressing yourself is one the best gifts we can share with the world, and it has the power to bring people together and understand who we are on an indescribable level. But I think it's important to look deeper and ask ourselves WHY we do what we do and always question our values, especially when you are betting everything on them. 

WATCH "THE THRILL" TEASER

Interview: James Fouche - Writer and Producer of "Crossing Borders"

ROFFEKE: You are the writer and producer of "Crossing Borders". What elements of the screenplay changed, from the time you took off your writer's hat and put on your producer's hat? 

James Fouche: Crossing Borders was conceptualised and scripted as a TV series that would run for at least three seasons. While this is still the dream, filmed the short film to be a completed short film. Very little changed from script to screen. As the words became reality, the screenplay became the truth for everyone on set, even for me as I tried to switch between my writer and producer hats. We all believed in it. Strange as it sounds, that was liberating.

ROFFEKE: What inspired this story?

James Fouche: Immigration is as current as it is sensitive. I wanted to touch on the crossing of borders, or the policing thereof. The theme inspired the tone, which is why amber and yellow was generously incorporated throughout. Beyond that, I wanted to paint a truly African version of Jack Reacher, someone the whole world could easily relate to regardless of creed, culture, or colour.

ROFFEKE: Why the near-future setting and what were the advantages and challenges of setting the story in the near-future?

James Fouche: I chose the near future, assuming that by that time South Africa would have taken strides towards better border control. I further assumed that the policing of borders would become outsourced, much like bounty hunters in America. This practice of outsourcing immigration processes in SA was trialled in the early 2000's, but quickly discarded due to the exposure of corruption. The challenges were considering the surroundings and the transportation for such a small leap into the future. Ultimately, by looking at the past, I predicted that not much would change.

ROFFEKE: The theme of crime runs through "Crossing Borders" and your books "Jack Hanger" (a criminal mastermind kills his brother) and "King of Sorrow" (the protagonist "is pitted against the corporate world, where crime, mystery and intrigue hide in plain sight"). Why crime and not more "hopeful" themes? What would you say is the hopeful/hopepunk element in "Crossing Borders"?

James Fouche: I think crime is an ever-present element today. To avoid talking about it, certainly won't solve anything. I believe most crime writers do so in the hopes that they will unpack something, raise concerns, and offer possible solutions in the process, It's not always doom and gloom in the mind of a crime writer. In the wake of sadness and misery, often follows rebirth, renewal and hope for a future generation. The lead character of Crossing Borders, as I envisioned the TV series, was an African version of Jack Reacher. A lone hero who seeks only to do his job, who believes in justice, whose love is pure, whose passion is admirable, and who does good without being asked to do so. There is nothing more hopeful than that.

ROFFEKE: The lead actor, Aphiwe Nqevu, is so talented! Did you have him, or someone like him, in mind while writing the screenplay and as the producer, how much of a say did you have in the casting process?

James Fouche: I conceived the character of Bhongo just before the pandemic came around. During the national lockdowns I kept pecking at the character and discussed him with my wife, who is often my sounding board. I had engaged with Aphiwe numerous times prior to this. Then, one day, as we sat in a local coffee shop, Aphiwe strolled in without knowing that we were there. Something in my mind just clicked. I looked at my wife and said that I was looking at Bhongo. My wife immediately agreed. Aphiwe is the kindest soul, and is often called the township pastor. His natural flair for acting and how he bloomed after Neels van Jaarsveld arrived on set, has me convinced that he has what it takes to become a professional actor.

ROFFEKE: The whole film was a treat to watch but my (Mildred Achoch) favourite moment is the running-across-the-field scene. The accompanying song - and of course I am very biased - adds to the excitement. Why a rock song and not, say, Kwaito or House or Hip Hop? (This question is for you and/or the director, Chris Wilson).

James Fouche: That scene was the director's pride and joy. As an avid Guy Ritchie fan, Chris came to me with a proposal for the chase scene. I was the producer and he was the director. It was my job to trust him implicitly and it was his job to pour his creativity and passion into the project by blowing life into the words. While I might have given guidance to the musical tone, it was Chris who chose that song. I surmise that he felt my aspirations of taking a truly African hero and showcasing that to the world in a way that made him instantly human and relatable. We wanted music that didn't denote a specific location, again crossing borders and reaching a wider audience.

ROFFEKE: Advice for writers who want to become writer-producers?

James Fouche: Keep at it. Do not stop. Write, write, write.

Crossing Borders is in the ROFFEKE World Audio Visual Heritage 2022 Playlist. 

Read a review of Crossing Borders HERE.

Film Festival Mastery Replay

On September 21st, I had the honour of attending a Film Festival Mastery Masterclass, featuring Jon Fitzgerald, co-founder of Slamdance. It was fun and informative and here is the link to the replay:

FILM FESTIVAL MASTERY REPLAY

My key takeaway was that there's a film festival out there that is just right for your film, no matter how niche your film is. You just need to know what your goals are.

Review: Crossing Borders (Directed by Chris Wilson)

Synopsis: "Bhongo Mhlope, a South African immigration agent is on the hunt for a Zimbabwean foreign national who has been scheduled for deportation. He calls in the help of Benny, a police detective and old friend. After the successful apprehension of his 'target', Bhongo and Benny discuss a greater menace growing in the town of George."

Reviewer: Love Kassim.

I love the music in the background because it takes the movie further and is purposeful throughout.

The color choice is spot on since it made the film vibrant and lifts the spirit of the movie 

The camera angles and lighting, especially when the two were running in a field in slow motion, gave it a gripping experience.

The actors did justice to their roles and this film placed them in a recognizable social context.

I love that the film utilized short, instantaneous and effective scenes.

Politically, the film shows the aspect of Immigration and deportation especially of criminals in South Africa and the struggles and lengths the authorities take to ensure criminal gangs are dealt with.

An intriguing piece that left me yearning for more.

Crossing Borders: Spotlight on "Finding Lulu"

Finding Lulu Synopsis: "After learning about the culture of school shootings in America, Lulu's Kenyan community bands together to prepare her for life in U.S. schools."

Director (Gayatri Kumar) Statement: "I'm a proud American. I believe my country is considered to be number one for a reason. But this American passport quickly begins to lose value if our children's safety doesn't rank number one too."

In a Psychology Today article, Michael Friedman, Ph.D writes that Dee Snider's "greatest contribution is that he has publicly and directly challenged the stereotypes that heavy metal musicians and fans faced since the inception of the art form - with heavy metal musicians and fans stereotyped as unintelligent and dangerous."

How dangerous? So dangerous that Marilyn Manson was accused of causing the Columbine massacre.

In "Columbine: Whose Fault is it?" Marilyn Manson speaks out:

"When it comes down to who's to blame for the high school murders in Littleton, Colorado, throw a rock and you'll hit someone who's guilty. We're the people who sit back and tolerate children owning guns, and we're the ones who tune in and watch the up-to-the-minute details of what they do with them."

Marilyn Manson wrote the article in 1999, the year that the Matrix was released, when Yahoo was still king of the Internet, before MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. 

Marilyn Manson goes on to point out that:

"We applaud the creation of a bomb whose sole purpose is to destroy all of mankind and we grow up watching our president's brains splattered all over Texas. Times have not become violent. They have just become more televised. Does anyone think the Civil War was the least bit civil? If television had existed, you would be sure they would have been there to cover it, or maybe even participate in it, like their violent car chase of Princess Di. Disgusting vultures looking for corpses..."

In February 2018, four years before the start of the war in Ukraine, Matt Taibbi wrote an article titled "If we want kids to stop killing, the adults have to stop, too." He begins by writing that: "Over two decades ago, I traveled to a city in the Russian provinces called Rostov-On-Don to interview a psychiatrist named Alexander Bukhanovsky." The caption of the featured photo reads: "Mourners stand during a candlelight vigil for the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting n Parkland, Florida on February 15, 2018."

Taibbi goes on to list the variety of things that are blamed for gun violence: racism, violent video games, music lyrics and movies.

Fun fact: The end credits song in Finding Lulu is "Bang Bang (My Schoolmate Shot Me Down)", which is based off Nancy Sinatra's rendition of "Bang, Bang". Quentin Tarantino used Nancy Sinatra's version in the Kill Bill opening scene and said: "I think you'll have a hard time hearing that song after seeing the movie and not thinking about the bride lying in the church."

Taibbi asks: "But what about the fact that we're an institutionally violent society whose entire economy has historically been dependent upon the production of weapons?"  He also asks: "And how about the fact that we wantonly (and probably illegally) murder civilians in numerous countries as a matter of routine?"

This is a good time as any to mention the Melilla Massacre. Some would criticize legal immigrants - like Lulu and her family - and illegal immigrants, like the many who have perished as they pursued greener pastures. Those who belong to the critics camp share this sentiment:

"These guys trying to cross over to europe are giving the rest of us africans who stay home and work hard to overcome challenges and improve our motherland. put all that effort into building africa instead of dying like dogs at the hands of the old slave masters. #MelillaMassacre"

In "Immigration is horror" the writer offers a different perspective:

"Thus there are two kinds of immigrants. The ones who leave by choice and the others who do out of necessity. But, often, their reasons and motivations come from the same place: the conditions they live in are no longer sustainable either physically, mentally, or emotionally."

Taibbi remembers Dennis Kucinich "being laughed at by reporters...whenever he talked about...the establishment of a "Department of Peace"... He just happened to believe we should make nonviolent conflict resolution an 'organizing principle in our society.'"

Like all good films do, "Finding Lulu" offers the space to ask more questions and to think about this complex issue from a variety of perspectives. Below is Love Kasim's review of the film:

"Lulu, a primary school pupil, is relocating to California and is nudged by her fellow classmates on why she needs to go to a place where kids get killed every day.

Gun control and firearm use in America is still very much a hot topic. Firearm deaths occur at a rate more than five times higher than drowning.

Lulu embarks on learning about the steps to take if ever in such a situation, calling the police being one of them. The video shows the Police response time and how long it took for the them to take action in Uvalde and it's just dismal to say the least.

She resorts to training with the brave Maasai warriors and masters her inner strength to go through the process.

Some of the drills suggested to help during a school shooting are refuted by the classmates and I think those should be updated realistically.

Despite economic factors, gender, racial, mental health conditions or sexual orientation, everyone has a right to be safe in their classroom and communities and this is what the film is all about .

We should teach children and youth how to minimize social isolation, empathise with others and create a more inclusive and connected school culture."

Watch the "Finding Lulu" trailer in the ROFFEKE World Day for Audio Visual Heritage 2022 playlist.

ROFFEKE World Day for Audio Visual Heritage 2022

October 27th is World Day for Audio Visual Heritage. This year, like in 2020 and 2021, ROFFEKE will commemorate the day with a YouTube playlist. The theme of the ROFFEKE World Day for Audio Visual Heritage 2022 playlist is inspired by the title of one of the ROFFEKE Official Selection 2022 short films, "Crossing Borders". All the short films in the playlist cross borders in one way or another.

The short film "Crossing Borders" was directed by Chris Wilson and stars the talented Aphiwe Nqevu playing the role of Bhongo Mhlope. "Bhongo Mhlope, A South African immigration agent is on the hunt for a Zimbabwean foreign national who has been scheduled for deportation."

"Thou Shalt Dance" was directed by Abtin Yaghmaian, an animation director based in Tehran. The protagonist crosses the border between normal and abnormal: "In a normal day a normal man finds an abnormal solution for his problem."

Read - Crossing Borders: Finding Lulu and Cuando Haces Pop

Read - Crossing Borders: Forgotten Song and Maldita: A Love Song to Sarajevo

Crossing Borders: Forgotten Song and Maldita: A Love Song to Sarajevo

Forgotten Song, a beautiful, moving and poignant musical, is directed by Monika Grzybowska, a filmmaker who "believes in cinema with a mission."

Synopsis: "A young boy comes to the Friendship Settlement, where the Soviet builders of the Palace of Culture and Science lived in the 1950s, in search of accommodation for his grandparents from Ukraine. Here he meets a girl singing in the choir, who becomes his guide. Seemingly, it is a story about love that cannot happen because of the war in Ukraine, but more deeply it is a story about finding your identity. Music is an integral part of the film. It is not only the background of the events narrated in the film, but its equal protagonist."

Music also plays a big part in "Maldita: A Love Song to Sarajevo", directed by Raul de la Fuente Calle and Amaia Remirez. Below is a review by Love Kassim:

Bozo Vreco is a musician from Bosnia who in this film introduces us to a world of melancholy and sorrow as he explains growing up in a war-torn country and loosing his friend at a young age. The artist recalls the people he knew and the life he might have had if he hadn't gone through such a dismal upbringing. The war in Bosnia is repeatedly highlighted.

Bozo wears his hair long with kohl around his eyes and dresses in Kaftans; he spins around singing on stage. He believes that a person who sings songs of courage should present nothing but honesty to their audience. He further explains just how hard it was navigating as a queer person from a background who’s sound has influenced his music.The catchy melodies mixed with Bozo’s unmistakable voice gives the song an unparalleled softness.

I believe that this is the kind of sound that takes us on a journey through time.

His powerful highs and extra soothing lows plus the interplay of rhythm might blow your mind as the rich texture of the vocals pull you right back into place.

This music is calm yet so powerful.

This is an artist who tells us our most fundamental stories about ourselves and lost loved ones and when you listen to Maldita and watch the whole film in general, those stories are as relevant today as they ever were.

Crossing Borders: Finding Lulu and Cuando Haces Pop

 "There have been 27 school shootings this year. Maybe by October there'll be 30 more." 

So begins the trailer for "Finding Lulu", a short film directed by Gayatri Kumar and produced by Nyakio Wambui. Then we are asked: "How do you prepare for a country that has more guns than people?" Next, we see a Maasai Moran, sharpening a spear, wearing a Kenyan flag bead anklet. Lulu boldly approaches him and demands: "Nifunze kupigana" - Teach me how to fight.

Synopsis: "After learning about the culture of school shootings in America, Lulu's Kenyan community bands together to prepare her for life in U.S. schools."

 The trailer ends with the chant: "Usiue mtu, usiue mtu" - Don't kill anyone.

"Don't kill anyone" applies to Cuando Haces Pop (Once you pop), directed by Kevin Castellano and Edu Hirschfeld. This fun film with a twist in its tail/tale crosses the border between horror and comedy. Below is a review by Love Kassim:

"Cuando Haces Pop" (Once you pop) presents the story of Alicia and Ruth stranded in the middle of nowhere after they got kicked out of a car that was supposedly taking them to a music festival to perform. Once you pop provides a significant evaluation of the difficulties a band will go through just to get their music played, especially if it's made up of females.

They try to hitchhike to the next town and learn the hard way what it would really take to get a lift. Essentially, the film utilizes short, instantaneous and effective scenes that describe and exaggerate how they are limited to doing whatever the guy wants to get said lift.

The best remark I can give about the song is that it’s slowly infectious and one seems to return and replay it often.The song's infectious nature stems from its well-balanced, enticing sound, its positive vibe and its meaningful lyrics. We hear the interwoven styles of traditional punk and hints of pop, which seem seamless. It is difficult to achieve this mix of styles without being corny and Alicia and Ruth seemed to have done that.

I love the irony of the [not included to avoid spoiling the surprise! :-)] and actually enjoying their music.

Of Nyatiti, Psalterium and Artus - raw rock (rockumentary)

 In "Old and Young Team Up to Revive Nyatiti Music in Kenya" Jason Patinkin writes: "...the nyatiti has faded in Kenya. Old players passed away and young people took an interest in rock and hip hop music." The number of Nyatiti makers has also drastically reduced. As noted in this tweet: "We have less than 19 good Nyatiti players and only 5 makers."

One of the Nyatiti makers is Alex Ogwe, here recorded by the Singing Wells project.

Nyatiti maker Alex Ogwe, playing the Nyatiti.

That unique, danceable Nyatiti sound has even made its way to Andrew Bird's album, in the song "Nyatiti".

The song "Nyatiti" is featured in Andrew Bird's album

Artus is "a rock group just as untameable as the bear that inspired their name. For twenty years, Artus has been inventing a unique sound somewhere in between their Gascon roots and modern experimentation."

Thomas Baudoin, the Artus member who plays the Psalterium, says in the rockumentary "Artus, raw rock" directed by Alexandre Cartigny and Sonia Moumen: "I feel like we adapt to our evolutions. Adaptation means changing the rules, the recipes."

"Artus, raw rock" (French version)

Jean Baudoin "Papeth", a Psalterium creator, is also featured in the rockumentary. He says: "Nobody makes psalteriums anymore. I did some research and only got to see a few. When I went to museums in Paris, they asked me if I was a researcher, but since I was just interested personally, I wasn't allowed to touch them."

You can view (but not touch?) a Nyatiti in the National Museums of Kenya's "Cycles of Life Gallery" and in the University of Illinois' Spurlock Museum of World Cultures. In the Museum of the IAGA in University of Nairobi, you can view "a nyatiti musical instrument from the Luo culture and other materials donated by Prof. Florida Karani..." The location of the museum is the basement of Education Building on the Main Campus.

In a Ted Talk titled "Museums in Progress: Decolonizing Museum" Hannah Mason-Macklin begins by asking: "What does the movie Black Panther have in common with museums?" She goes on to highlight the different power plays in the movie's museum scene. One of the power plays is about space. Hannah notes: "We hear from Killmonger that he feels uncomfortable the second he is in that space. And that is not an uncommon feeling for visitors of colour in real life. To feel unwelcomed or watched in museums."

Hannah Mason-Macklin

"...I wasn't allowed to touch them. "You won't have access to the instrument, you'll stay behind the glass." Or in front really, depending on where you're standing!" - Jean Baudoin, Psalterium creator, in "Artus, raw rock" rockumentary.

Here are some more quotes from the opening minutes of Artus, raw rock:

"One of the constants of Artus is to practice the intangible cultural heritage of Bearn and Gascony."

- Mateu Baudoin, song and violin.

"To me, the universe of Artus is to always try to explore what's new around you. You can't look ahead if you first don't look closely."

- Alex Toussaint, drums.

"Some come from rock, others from traditional music. That's what's links us together...our differences."

- Nicolas Godin, electric guitar, percussion, effects.

Reviews: One-Hit Wonder - directed by Amanda Dow

You can watch One-Hit Wonder HERE:

"I love the concept of this video. Was he a ghost? Did the cab lady have something to do with his death? Many musicians are a disturbed lot. With all they go through, it's no surprise this was his way out of misery. To be that creative and still haunted by invisible demons that can't be explained is hurtful. I wanna reach out and just hug them."

Review by Love Kassim.

"I like the suspense - the ride to an undisclosed destination. The conversation is cordial. However, the eventual news hurts. It's a sad twist of fate that he didn't replicate the success of his hit song "Humma Humma Ding Dong". What a tragic demise of a popular celeb devastated by a fallen career. One-Hit Wonder reminds me of a gruesome suicide of a favourite friend I cherished. Like the cab driver, I had just dropped him at his apartment."

Review by ROFFEKE Reviewer.

For information about mental health and creativity, check out ROFFEKE's mental wellness division, rockafya.blogspot.com

Check out a comparison of: Clay Calloway of Sing 2 and Ellery Demarco of One-Hit Wonder (Directed by Amanda Dow)

Related post: 

Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat”, LUWTEN’s “Sleeveless”, Metallica’s therapy and Therapeia by M.Q. Powell

Aphorisms for a Wounded World - directed by Robert David Duncan

The setting for "Aphorisms for a Wounded World" is an "imaginary place, built from AI-enhanced digital art." You can watch this micro-short film between June 30th and July 31st 2022, HERE:

In a ROFFEKE Radio interview, I asked director Robert David Duncan: "What are your views on Artificial Intelligence and creativity?" Here is his answer:

ROFFEKE Playlists

ROFFEKE Animation - World Audio Visual Heritage Day 2021 

ROFFEKE International Happiness Day 

ROFFEKE Official Selection 2015 

ROFFEKE OFFICIAL Selection 2016 (Partial Listing) 

ROFFEKE World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2020 - Your window to the world of Friendship, Fun, Freedom ROFFEKE University: Lesson 1 - Slave Trade, The Blues and Rock 'n' Roll 

ROFFEKE University: Lesson 2 - Masks 

ROFFEKE Conference 

ROFFEKE South-South

Peace

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." - Jimi Hendrix.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If you want peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies." - Desmond Tutu.

"Peace begins with a smile." - Mother Teresa.

"The world is now too small for anything but brotherhood." - Arthur Powell Davies.

PEACE PLAYLIST

Of "African" Products and "Mzungu" Music

In an entrepreneurship forum I recently attended, one participant was quite vocal about the need for entrepreneurs to provide African goods and services. This brings up the question I always ask myself whenever I come across concepts such as “Kenyan film” or “Kenyan story” or “buy Kenyan”.

Are Kenyan or African goods and services those created and sold by Kenyans/Africans or are they only those that are uniquely Kenyan or African? Is an African entrepreneur who deals with smartphones made in China, providing African goods and services? Does the foreign nature of the goods/services he provides disqualify him from being categorized as an African entrepreneur? What about an African agri-entrepreneur who deals with genetically modified seeds? What about an African pharmacist who largely sells products created outside of Africa?

What about the European, American and Arab slave traders who were dealing with African “goods”? Were they African entrepreneurs?

African slaves were exchanged for foreign goods:

Trade Relations among European and African Nations.

The business of barter on the pre-colonial Gold Coast.

What about rock ‘n’ roll, whose roots can be traced to the slave trade mentioned above? Is rock ‘n’ roll an African product? Is rock ‘n’ roll made by an African still “mzungu” music? 

(Written by Mildred Achoch.)

Coda: "Jean-Baptiste Say pointed out in his own writings that it was entrepreneurs who sought out inefficient uses of resources and capital and moved them into more productive, higher yield areas. Simply put, entrepreneurs seek opportunities for profit and, by doing so, create new markets and fresh opportunities. By constantly disrupting the balance of competition, entrepreneurs prevent monopolies from forming and create a wide diversity of products that keep consumers consuming and producers producing."Source: Who Coined the Term 'Entrepreneur'? by Andrew Beattie. 

Interview: Marvin Glover - Director of Red Gate Sessions

 ROFFEKE: Many of your artistic works center around themes of hope and empowerment. If, as the saying goes, "bad news sells" why then do you choose to focus on hope and empowerment?

MARVIN: Well I suppose the best way to answer this question is that, by definition, empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.  The creative works that we develop and the content that we create can often provide hope to those that feel hopeless and also give a voice to the unheard.  This should be empowering!   I had to think long and hard about what kind of human I wanted to be and what kind topics I wanted to raise awareness of or shine a spotlight on.  It's also about thinking about yourself and what you want to represent, as creators we become a brand.

ROFFEKE: You have produced more than 20 films in the short film, documentary, feature length and web series categories. What similarities and differences are there in producing each of these categories?

MARVIN: The work is generally the same.  It takes the same amount of creative energy to make a short film as it does a feature.  The process is the same.  The difference is the budget and timeline!  The elements can vary as with every project but the core items are pretty much the same.  

ROFFEKE: Being a minority - whether in terms of race, gender, etc - is challenging in any field, including the film industry. What has been your journey in giving yourself permission to create?

MARVIN: I have never operated from a deficit, my mantra has always been that I don't need permission to create.  I came into the profession with an edge so to speak.  I had confidence, career experience in other industries that support entertainment, I had a stellar resume of education at some of the best schools.  I am fluid in law, marketing, advertising and social sciences.  I am a renaissance man and ambassador of travel, food, culture and the arts. I find interest in most everything.  I say it's okay to be uncomfortable every now and then; you can learn and grow.

ROFFEKE: Any tips on fundraising for projects?

MARVIN: I was fundraising before the term became saturated.  I have fundraised for every project that I've ever done.  Every musical recording and every film has been supported by my "supporters".  Tip number one: email is the best tool at your disposal to make a real connection.  Tip number two: be authentic, people can smell a "fake" a mile away.  Tip number three: give to others.  Are you out to take someone's hard earned cash and give nothing in return.  Tip number four: Drop the word investors from your vocabulary.  People can support you and your projects, if you want an investor... invest in real estate!  Seriously, in the U.S., if you are a first time home buyer and have decent credit.  Buy a starter home with 3.5 percent down.  Put some paint on the walls, cut the lawn, pull some weeds and anything else reasonable to improve the place and then sell it in a year.  Take the cash that you profit from the sale after you pay off the loan and go make YOUR MOVIE.  It's that simple.  Skip the kissing backsides hoping that someone will fund your bright idea.  What do you have to offer them in return?  Nothing!  Hollywood in general is a closed system so you need a body of work to get a seat at the table these days.  I went to the best film school in the world, that cracked the door open for me.  I wrote my own songs and placed them in my movies, which allowed me to become recognized in the music industry.  I don't owe anyone anything and I own my work.  Now this is not for everyone... We have multiple ways of making one's career successful.  I carved my own path and forged it in the mold that I created.  I think my supporters help me with my projects because they like me.  It's not necessarily the type of music or the genre of film, it's about me continuing to produce content.  They have the joy of bragging to their friends that they know me.  I might add, make sure you can deliver on what you promised.  Integrity is everything, the one time you slip and don't come through or follow up, you're done.

So obviously I can hold a clinic on fundraising, and most people will fail miserably at it.  Set realistic goals.

ROFFEKE: In some parts of the world, rock and rock-laced music is considered "white". Your thoughts?

MARVIN: I say define this premise.  I write and style my music based on my experiences.  Rock music was taken from southern American blues and has morphed into many styles and genres.  My story is one of global travel and I never stay squarely in one musical genre.  This has likely hurt me because my initial audience of listeners may not have followed my musical journey from genres such as blues, R&B, pop, rock, psychedelic, traditional, etc.  Everything is derivative, everyone is borrowing from someone else.  I was born in Texas (the home of bluegrass/country/gospel, you name it.  I was schooled in the early years in the UK (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, they were imitators of black blues artists like, Robert Johnson, etc.) I then moved to the Pacific Northwest (the home of Jimi Hendrix, Heart, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Macklemore and Sir Mix A Lot) and then Chicago (with its robust rock and blues scene).  Then I lived in Australia and Hawaii ( each area has its own flavors and my music reflects bits of all of it.  If you sat down and listened to my entire musical catalog from beginning to end you would pick up bits and pieces as far ranging as the ear can imagine. As consumers we need to put things in baskets in order to understand them.  Some creations resonate with us on a deeper and more visceral level.  I leave it up to the individual to bond or reject whatever is presented.  I make music and create films based on my experiences and no one has traveled the specific road that I have.  However points of reference that may be common in those works to others can be enticing.  We all gravitate towards the familiar.

Marvin Glover

Review of "Red Gate Sessions" by Love Kassim

Marvin Glover introduces us to the studio where his five-man band is recording and playing live. The first song 'The Coming' has a religious vibe to it. Could be the coming of the Messiah or just the realization of oneself to a place or point in life.

As the band continues with the session, we are also introduced to the different members. The music is catchy, mellow and thought-provoking.

The second song "Four Twenty" talks about chilling, vibing and marijuana. A general banger if you ask me.

Four songs down the line and the band finishes softly and subtly.

I love this music; it will resonate with most people. It's about love, consumption and the togetherness of a people.

Looking forward to hearing more from them and hopefully they will still do live renditions.

Screenplays - ROFFEKE Official Selections 2021 (Part 2)

“Surreal” is one word that could be used to describe “Tomi Thirteen”, a screenplay by Max Sparber and Coco Mault, and “Tethered” a screenplay by Kirimi Kiage, Teddy Gitau and Blake Simpson. Tomi Thirteen, is both light and dark. It is an “anime-inspired half-hour comedy, set in a future in which all of humanity lives in giant arcologies protected by superheroes.” You can watch the ROFFEKE screenplay trailer of "Tomi Thirteen" here.

Speaking of the future, 15 years ago, Thomas Behe wrote a graphic novel about “five people’s discovery of this century’s greatest tech convergence - online communities and video mobiles.” Result? A “frighteningly accurate prediction of today’s malignant world of social media - an eerie FORESHADOWING of today’s tech-driven paranoia and online political mayhem.” Thomas submitted the “Contraband” screenplay and although it is longer than ten pages, it is selected since the themes are in line with ROFFEKE’s motto of ‘Friendship, Fun, Freedom’. You can learn more about the Contraband graphic novel here and read reviews of it here, here and here.

Both Tomi Thirteen and Tethered feature a female protagonist. In “Tethered”: “A woman tethered to her ancestors, who she had long misunderstood but not forgotten, is forced to reckon with an experience she cannot explain. You can watch the Tethered screenwriters interview here.

Another screenplay that features a female protagonist is “A short film about a metal head” by Simon X. Frederick: “A mother of two tells a bedtime story. Once upon a time, a young lady discovered the key to her heart…heavy metal.” Simon says: “…I am interested in the psychology of an individual and how society influences us.” You can watch the ROFFEKE screenplay trailer of Simon’s screenplay here.

Read ROFFEKE Official Selections 2021 part 1 here