22 June 2010

Ethiopian Filmmaker Discusses Democracy and Fair Play

CO.NX webchat transcript, June 22, 2010

Yared Shumete, an Ethiopian filmmaker, answered questions regarding democracy and fair play in a June 22 CO.NX webchat.

Following is the transcript:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript

The World Cup: Democracy Is Fair Play

Guest:            Yared Shumete
Date:              June 22, 2010
Time:              8:00 a.m. EDT (12:00 GMT)

CO.NX Moderator (Gillian): Welcome to the CO.NX chat room.  Our next World Cup Program will be about fair play on Tuesday, June 22nd at 12:00 GMT. You can submit your questions at any time. After your question has been submitted, it will appear in red on your screen. During our program on Tuesday your questions will be answered by Ethiopian filmmaker Yared.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Welcome everyone! The chat with Ethiopian filmmaker Yared will begin in twenty minutes. Please feel free to introduce yourselves and tell us where you are from. I am joining you from Washington, D.C.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Welcome to those just joining us. We will begin chatting with Yared now.

Yared Shumete: My full name is Yared Shumete Desalegne.  I was born in Addis Ababa in 1982.  I became interested in film and photography when I was a child.  I received my first camera when I was 16 years old, and have not stopped taking pictures and recording images since that time.  From an early age I was hearing tales and stories from my mother which inspired me to think artistically about how to express my feelings and my experiences.  I also got involved in theater in elementary school.

Question [Thomas]: What is democracy?

Answer [Yared Shumete]: If you want me to answer this question, "what is democracy" please look at my video at:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqWFb852eDk

Q [shanthi, Chennai]: What is your valuable advice to young film makers?

A [Yared Shumete]: I am also a young filmmaker of 28 years of age.  When I became interested in film, I created opportunities to learn how to shoot film and how to tell stories with a camera -- even if I wasn't asked to do so, I was always trying to make films and videos.  Young filmmakers should not expect any miracles -- they need to create their own opportunities.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Thank you for your many questions. As Yared continues to respond, please feel free to submit more questions for him. Also, express your opinion in our poll.

Q [Praveen Menon]: Participation is key to democracy, but how can one ensure that the person who is participating is being heard, so that he does not lose interest in democracy?

A [Yared Shumete]: In life you should not give up.  Democracy has its own dynamic.  You have to make sure that when change comes, you are there and participating.  If you give up, you will not be there when the right time comes.  Film and other art forms help you to demonstrate your feelings and to accelerate change.

Francis: Francis from Antananarivo, Madagascar.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Welcome, Francis! We are glad to have you with us today.

Praveen Menon: Thank you Yared and Sarah!

HervetMada: Hi, Hervet from Mada.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Hi, Hervet, welcome! Thank you for joining us today. For those of you responding to the poll, how do you think sports contribute to world peace?

Praveen Menon: My opinion on sports being a contributor to world peace is the very example of India and Pakistan who do not see eye to eye in the political world but have friendly sporting ties which actually brings the people of the two nations together. Even the warring politicians take part when a sporting opportunity comes by.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Thank you, Praveen!

HervetMada: I think that sport does not really improve world peace; are we sure that if North Korea and South Korea will meet on this World Cup, their relationship will be improved?

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Good question, Hervet. What do you all think?

Francis: I think sports contribute to world peace by bringing different nations, different people in one special event, which is sport. For instance, Mandela has used rugby as a means against apartheid.

Q [Paulo Rogério-Brasil]: I would like to know how the environment is for filmmakers in Ethiopia now. How is the marketing and possibilities?

A [Yared Shumete]: The local film distribution is limited to theaters and cinemas -- there is a problem with copyright and piracy here.  And there are only 12 movie theaters in Addis.  But we have very interested audiences that love films made by Ethiopians about Ethiopian experiences.  (The audiences compensate for the copyright issues.)  Ethiopian filmmakers struggle, trying to make movies without resources or training, but we all support each other.  Our Alatinos Filmmakers Association is one way that we help each other by having discussions weekly about techniques and storytelling methods.

Q [Ali Eid]: Can sports contribute in achieving the global peace?

A [Yared Shumete]: Definitely!  Sports show people coming together and playing in the same place.  Even if both sides struggle to win, they play in a friendly manner, peacefully.

BAFANA BAFANA!: Hervatmada and Yared, I think that's a nice idea but I think sport is a sport and the world is a more tough place.  But I think we should continue with world sport.

Q [IRC Antananarivo]: Hi I am Jaona, librarian from Antananarivo Madagascar. What is the best way to acquire democratic culture and that of fair play mainly during and after the electoral process? Thanks.

A [Yared Shumete]: This process has to be started from childhood.  We have to teach our children to treat each other fairly and with respect.  As my short movie shows, children instinctively know the unwritten rules of democracy, which is based on their moral sensibility.

Q [BAFANA BAFANA!]: What about football in your country? Is it most popular?

A [Yared Shumete]: Football is VERY popular in Ethiopia, but we are better known for running and track and field.

hery zo: Hery Zo from Madagascar and student.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Hi Hery, welcome! We are glad you could join us.

Francis: I think, in order to improve relationships between people, we should start with a neutral thing. What else is better than sport to do so!!!!

Francis: Football is popular in Madagascar but we have a bad team; we've never reached any international contest.

HervetMada: During the Cold War, sport did not prove that sport will contribute to peace. When USA and USSR met, it was like an indirect war. The chess competition: chess was a source of patriotic competition between the USA and USSR during the Cold War.

HervetMada: We are by nature small; we do not really exceed on sport.

hery zo: I totally agree of the fact sport can promote peace.

Q [Cairoirc]: Do you consider politics a fair play

A [Yared Shumete]: I don't think politics is always played fairly.  In my personal opinion, we need to think separately about politics and democracy.  When you think politically, you are focused on self-interest but if you think democratically, you will play fairly.

BAFANA BAFANA!: I agree with you. There is a difference in democracy and politics.

hery zo: Democracy can be played fairly, particularly in developing countries.

Q [Praveen Menon]: Tell me Yared, what inspired you to make "Democracy is Fair Play"?

A [Yared Shumete]: Before I was thinking of making a short movie about democracy, I was planning to make a short film about my childhood.  When I started thinking about democracy in response to the announcement of the 2010 Democracy Video Challenge, then the idea came to my mind of the child's game and the concept that "even if you are not on top, you are still in the game."

hery zo: I consider the major role that is played by the international community to spread democracy, and it is seen that the States are encouraged to follow the rule.

Q [Paulo Rogério-Brasil]: How can the internet help democracy and human rights? By the way, I'm already in your page on Facebook.

A [Yared Shumete]: Welcome to my Facebook page!  Connecting with people on the internet is similar to meeting people through sports competition.  The World Cup in South Africa has brought together many different teams and nations to exchange good cultures and democratic practices.

Francis: I don't know how it's like in Ethiopia but here in Madagascar, if you're not on top, you're likely at the bottom.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): If you are enjoying this program, be sure to join us Wednesday, June 30 at 12:00 GMT for a live program with Coach Onalfo of the DC United soccer/football team. We will be broadcasting live from his stadium.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): In just a moment, while Yared continues to answer questions, we will play his video "Democracy is Fair Play."

Q [Paulo Rogério- Brasil]: Can you explain to us more about your organization in Ethiopia?

A [Yared Shumete]: You are asking about the Alatinos Filmmakers Association?  Alatinos means genuine or truthful in the ancient Ethiopian language called Ge'ez.  This association was established five years ago and we are still having meetings once a week to discuss filmmaking and creating connections with local and international filmmakers.  We meet at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Addis Ababa (the Russian Embassy gave us the space freely).  We set a topic for each meeting.  For instance, in the next meeting we will have a discussion with an Ethiopian-American, a woman filmmaker who is internationally known, Professor Salem Mekuria.  We will show her film, “Deluge,” and then discuss it with her.

hery zo: I enjoy talking with another fellows from another countries, and the conversation can greatly help us acquire something new.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Thank you, Hery!

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): That was Yared's film for the Democracy Video Challenge. What do you think of it?

Paulo Rogério-Brasil: It will be wonderful if we can share our contacts to those who are here and maybe everybody can get Yared's page on Facebook.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Yes, please feel free to share your contact information with one another here. Also, check out the CO.NX Facebook page and "Like" us!  You can continue today's discussion there and connect with over 100,000 people around the world.

Paulo Rogério- Brasil: If someone here would like to know more about Brazilian independent/ethnic media, have a look on my organization’s page - Instituto Mídia Étnica - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Star-Project/98927762814?v=info#!/group.php?gid=11874368759&ref=ts.

hery zo: Inspired from soccer, we notice that most of the time players from western nations rarely do accept the fair play. This remark can be proved as well in international relations.

hery zo: This is an unprecedented opportunity to share precious ideas and positions via movie or film, and I praise Yared for his courage.

Q [shanthi, Chennai]: What modern techniques are you planning to improve the film making?

A [Yared Shumete]: I'm working on storytelling styles more than on specific techniques.  The developed countries already have taught us a lot about technique, but we have many untold stories to share with the world here in Africa, especially in Ethiopia.  Hopefully I will come up with new storytelling approaches in the future.

Cairoirc 2: The world cup this is boring is it because of the political problems around the world.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): What do you all think of this comment from Cairo? Is the World Cup unimportant because there are so many difficult political problems around the world?

HervetMada: I think that because of political problems, people around the world need to be entertained. And particularly for Africa, it is the first time that a World Cup take place here; however, the problems are all over Africa - genocide, coup, HIV/AIDS, hunger.

Francis: We cannot eliminate problems, but sometimes we need entertainment. People need to be entertained.

BAFANA BAFANA!: I disagree. The World Cup will always be exciting and no politics will matter!

HervetMada: You are right Francis.

hery zo: Personally, I think the World Cup will urge leaders to settle crises and find common ground when they notice that supporters and players from different nations can sit peacefully side by side.

Yared Shumete: In conclusion, I would like to thank the State Department for inviting me to be part of this webchat and for initiating the Democracy Video Challenge.  I also want to thank my friends who helped me when I was shooting my film, Democracy is Fair Play.  The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia helped me a lot to become a winner by publicizing my film and encouraging me.  The Ethiopian media and journalists, especially the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency, FM radio stations, newspapers and magazines, were also really helpful.  And finally, I appreciate all those who voted for my film.

BAFANA BAFANA!: Ok, thanks to you all goodbye for today!

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Thank you for joining us, Bafana! Please sign up for our newsletter to learn about more CO.NX programs: http://eepurl.com/gtS7.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Congratulations to Yared and the other winners of this year’s 2010 Democracy Video Challenge!  The six contest winners were announced yesterday, and you can see all of the winning videos on the Democracy Video Challenge Facebook page (www.facebook.com/democracychallenge).

hery zo: Hope (to) talk to you soon.

Lingo.L: Hey all!! Woo it's been a while, how's everyone doing? And yes, sports can definitely contribute to world peace. Like music, it's an international language that connects everyone together.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): A big thank you to Yared Shumete for giving us his time today and sharing his thoughts on democracy, fair play, and sports. Please remember to join us for our final World Cup program on June 30 at 12:00 GMT back in this room. Learn about our other programs by signing up for our newsletter (http://eepurl.com/gtS7) and choosing to "like" our Facebook page: http://co-nx.state.gov.

Paulo Rogério-Brasil: Thank you, Yared and the U.S. State Department!

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): This web chat is now closed. Continue the discussion on the CONX Facebook page: http://co-nx.state.gov. Let us know what you thought of today's program and what your thoughts are on democracy, fair play, and sports.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)