Ethiopia: rising star of film

22 June 2011 No Comments

Samuel Getachew

By Samuel Getachew

At last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, I stood up and asked a daring question to actress Natalie Portman. I was covering the event for a local Ethiopian Canadian newspaper and knew she had recently visited the country, so I asked her about Ethiopian film making and any future plans to take some of her work there for a public showing.

While the whole room eyed me with confusion, Ms. Portman answered how much she liked being involved in charity work in Ethiopia and how much she was struck by the beauty and humility of Ethiopians that she had met on her brief visit. My question not being answered, I sat down and heard more mainstream news outlets ask such friendly questions as the name of her hair stylists, if she had a boyfriend and many similar inquiries.

The experience left me determined to expose myself to Ethiopian film making on a recent visit to my home country. I visited many cinemas and theatres and was pleasantly surprised to discover that most were always sold out with local, Ethiopian-produced movies and theatres.

Movie making is now a mainstream business there, and many talented actors and actresses are being afforded a rare opportunity to showcase unique and top notch talent. Young actress, Meseret Mebrate, of the local soap Gemena fame and dozens of films is such a person.

I was first met Meseret at a screening in Addis for Hiroshima, a movie about leading Ethiopian business people attempting to smuggle hazardous waste by exploiting many people and families along the way. Though she is a supporting character, in every scene, she is the star. Tall, elegant and beautiful to watch, she makes every part come to life.

I later find that she goes around the auditorium meeting her fans and asking for their opinion. This is rare for many stars and might be the making of Ethiopia’s greatest film, TV, radio and stage superstar. I ask her for an interview, and she grants me the privilege the following day.

As she approached in a brand new Lifan, an Ethiopian car company of which she is a spokesperson, hands were being thrown her way before she could even park. She was directed to the most privileged area, while the guards promised to clean her car while she was away.

Everyone compliments her work, calling themselves her biggest fan. “She is more beautiful in person” seems to be the universal compliment, while “I can not wait to put our picture on my facebook” is a close second. She shakes my hand and apologizes for being late for about 10 minutes. I was too taken aback with her presence to notice.

I ask her to her reflect on her journey so far. She tells me her movie career began near her neighborhood of Gebe Gabriel, where she was a member of the St Gabriel Church choir.

“I really liked the experience of being born from that surrounding and it gave me a rare fulfilled life that I still carry with me”, she tells me. In time, she was discovered and was recruited to do a starring role in the TV series, Tears of a Candle. This series exposed the stigma associated with HIV / AIDS in Ethiopia. Her brilliant performance as a rape victim in the TV series made her a household name in the minds and hearts of many people. It was even reported in a local paper how her strong performance convinced her father to often refuse to watch some of her work.

At the conclusion of the series, she moved on to star in many movies and TV shows. One notable performance was in the movie, Gudefecha where she was a love interest. Through the performance, she gained the trust and mentorship of Director Tatek Tadesse, whom she describes as her greatest mentor. She also credits directors such as Asheber Kabetamu of Gemena for paving the way for many talented actresses. In the Gemena series, where she won the first Ethiopian TV and Radio Drama ’50,000 Birr award, she has played multiple roles including a psychology student and maid.

The graduate of the Master Photography and Videography Vocational Center in photography in Addis Ababa wants to someday follow in the footsteps of directors Tatek and Asheber. With a reputation of often advising directors at movie sets, “with respect and love” she tells me, it seems the birth of Director Meseret Mebrate is nearer than expected.

She looks at the careers of great international actresses such as Julia Roberts and local talented actor Fikadu Teklemariam for inspiration. As a fan of Buna (coffee) Soccer Club, she can often be spotted in cheering them on at the National Stadium and describes soccer as an “art”. If she was not an actress, she tells me, she would have pursued a career in medicine.

With a huge diamond on her finger, I ask the question that is on the mind of millions of her fans. She laughs and tells me that she has a steady partner and the ring was indeed a promise ring. For a minute, I reflect on the kinds of questions I often heard at the Toronto Film Festival a year ago, and ask her who her stylist is. She spends about five minutes telling me the story of her stylists, the young and talented Mahlet Afework, A K A, Mafi. Instantly, I am introduced to Mafi her inspirational work and become a fan. Then again, how can I not, when the compliments and words are coming from the most talented and convincing actors in Ethiopia.

In thousands of ways, Meseret Mebrate is indeed, a true future international superstar in the making. I hope she knows that she has lots fans right here in Canada – I am one of many.

See video of Meseret’s Best Artist Win