ASFO | In conversation with Lionel Nishimwe
© 2023 Lionel Nishimwe | Portrait by Junior Safari
Coming strongly from his minimal cinematographic background in Burundi. Lionel Nishimwe shows us that it only takes a strong will to succeed against expectations. This is a young filmmaker whose work has garnered accolades locally and internationally. There’s passion in this artist who seeks to express himself through characters torn by their own mortality. Follow his path through our discussion.
Congratulations on the success of your short film! Can you share what initially sparked your interest in filmmaking and how your journey began?
I have always been a storyteller since I was a little boy. Growing up I was very introverted. I was not a kid who would feel like playing with the other kids not because I was not valuing them but because I had a very high sense of low self-esteem. I always felt like everybody was better than me, like in football or in any game that the kids were playing. So, the only way I would entertain myself was through drawing so I kind of developed that passion for drawing. My classmates from school noticed that talent of mine and they were quite impressed by how I could draw and for me it was something new "to be noticed" to be acknowledged for something. When I discovered that feeling for the very first time, I told myself "I am never letting go of that feeling" and I started perfecting that skill. In my teenage years I discovered photography, it was a kind of extension of drawing because I could take pictures the way I wanted them to be framed and draw them afterwards. Through photography I discovered videography and then filmmaking later in 2021. I made my first short film with a smartphone and that short film won an award for best short film at a local film festival in Burundi. I was completely blown by the fact that we could get where we were with such little resources. I made my second short film the same year and got my first international nomination at Vues d’Afriques in Montréal, Canada. That made me confident enough to make my third short film ‘Une vie en couleurs’.
Can you share with us your film and what’s it talking about? Where did the inspiration come from?
‘Une vie en couleurs’ is the story of a woman fighting leukemia during the pandemic of Covid-19. That film came from the experience of one of my friends who was fighting cancer during the lockdown. All those people who were in quarantine during the pandemic were not even able to pay respect to the loved ones and enjoy the colors of life. I wanted the film to be the voice of the voiceless.
Festivals play a crucial role in promoting independent films. Can you speak to the importance of film festivals in reaching a broader audience and gaining recognition for your work?
I have learned so much from film festivals because it's where I get to meet more experienced filmmakers. Just by sitting with them I get to learn a lot about the business; it's important to know all the ins and outs of your craft. Festivals allow you to reach directly the stakeholders of the film industry.
© 2022 Lionel Nishimwe | Une vie en couleurs
Burundi has a unique cultural landscape. How do you incorporate elements of your culture into your filmmaking and how do you navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise from telling stories that may be less familiar to a global audience?
It's beautiful that I come from a country with such a rich culture. I try to make the audience understand what it is like to have the same experience as the one you might have as a Burundian. Burundi is indeed a very beautiful country in terms of culture and landscape, but it is also recognized as one of the poorest country in the world. All those conditions affect the storytelling of local artists and make his art dependent of his situation. You have to be completely aware of your situation to be able to tell unique and truly inspiring stories. There's something universal in every experience and somebody somewhere will understand it even though you don't speak the same language. That's the magic of cinema!
Your short film addresses the pandemic and the struggle of death. What inspired you to explore these themes, and how do you believe it contributes to the cinematic narrative from your region?
I decided to make this film about disease and mental health because they are considered as taboo where I'm from. Especially mental health; the matter is not considered at all and in fact it's seen as a weakness by most. Young people are deeply affected by that. They can't even talk about it otherwise they would be bullied by their own. The film shows that it's good and okay to have someone who supports you emotionally.
Film as an art form has the power to provoke thought and inspire change. How do you aspire to contribute with art?
Cinema has the power to influence the beliefs of the people. I want the audience to be aware of the details they weren't aware of before. When cinema shows those details to the younger, we can only hope for a better future.
© 2022 Lionel Nishimwe | Laura Sheïlla Inangoma in ‘Une vie en couleurs’
Can you share some insights into the creative process behind your short film? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them to bring your vision to life?
The film was very difficult to make because I had very little money. I wasn't credible enough to ask for fundings so I asked my friends to support the project and they believed in my vision and helped me finish the projects. Some are working in medias so I proposed them to be part of the crew. Since there's less film production in Burundi than before, they were happy to help.
In what ways has your experience in the film industry shaped your approach to storytelling, and how has your filmmaking evolved over time?
By meeting different stakeholders in the film industry, you get to know what works and what doesn't work. Yet, it shouldn't be a barrier to your creativity. It just makes it more mature and compelling. I'm grateful for all the rejections I had with the films I made because I learned a lot on the way.
The current state of cinema in Burundi may be evolving. How do you perceive the growth and challenges of the film industry in your home country, and what role do you hope to play in its development?
The quality of cinema in Burundi is still very low because artist don't have role models to look up to. I want my work to promote all the artists involved in the projects I make. Allowing them to meet new perspectives in the market so that they will be able to make their own project and include other young filmmakers. East African cinema will grow thanks to support from each other.
Emerging filmmakers often face unique challenges. What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers, particularly those from Burundi or similar regions, who are looking to make their mark in the industry?
The advice I will give to aspiring filmmakers is to make movies and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Try to make the best with the little resources that you have and somebody out there will notice your talent. Get feedback on your work from professional, let it sink in but don't let it discourage you, just keep making more and better films. Don't stay stagnant, learn and practice!
© 2022 Lionel Nishimwe | Jean Rige Nkurunziza in ‘Une vie en couleurs’
As a storyteller, how do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while also catering to the expectations and preferences of a festival audience, both locally and internationally?
When making a movie I never think about distribution because then I would give myself toxic expectations and I wouldn't be true to the story I want to tell. Instead I ask myself: "how can I make the audience understand the struggle of the protagonist?". That’s it.
In the context of filmmaking, what is the current landscape of film education in Burundi? Are there film schools or educational programs that aspiring filmmakers can access to nurture their craft, and what improvements or developments would you like to see in this regard?
In Burundi there's actually no film industry. We don't have films made by Burundians on the international market. It is taken as a hobby so there's no actual film school. The knowledge you get as a filmmaker will be from the internet. But it is on the way. If someone makes it, it will show to aspiring filmmakers that it is possible to make a living as a filmmaker and thrive.
Tell us a bit about the making of your film. Any fun facts or difficulties during production?
I made my first short film with a smartphone that had a weak battery. It was constantly plugged in to a power bank during the shooting. The cable was not good enough. The phone kept shutting down. There was that boy who was supposed to be the lead actor and he didn't show up on the day of shooting. I had to find someone else quickly. So, I asked our neighbors if they would be interested in letting their 10-year-old son be in my film. They allowed me to have him as the lead and we finally made the film. It eventually won the award for best short film at FESTICAB!
UNE VIE EN COULEURS
| By Lionel Nishimwe
Sarah discovers that she has only six months left to live. Confined to her home during the pandemic with her husband Phil, the young couple will have to face their fears together.
