The comic element
in Ethiopian Cinema

By Alemayehu Seife Selassie

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ever since Shewaferaw Desalegn popped into the Ethiopian cinema scene ten years ago, he has managed to capture his audiences’ undivided attention. Now after years of success at 32, he has acted in the majority of the popular Ethiopian films. Starting out his film career cast by the BBC TV and local NGO documentary production, he has been lucky enough to work with professionals. However, Shewaferaw’s acting career dates many years before his debut documentary Tim-Tim. Acting diligently in the children’s drama on ETV, and later playing at the Addis Ababa University Cultural Center, it was just a matter of time before this actor would shoot up. An Ethiopian director Dagmawi Feyisa has played a major role in Shewaferaw’s acting. “I took my high school classes at the then Entoto High School now Technical School. Our school is a great school. Other than the academic lessons, it also provided sport and other extracurricular activities. It gives you opportunities for developing your skills”, Shewaferaw explains. Joining the theatre group at a young age this actor was reaching out to be found. And as the school asked for an assistant from the Addis Ababa University, Dagmwai was assigned to train the theatre group Shewaferaw was in.

“After he saw us acting, he said, come and join the Addis Ababa University Cultural Center when you finish high school. And so I did”, Shewaferaw said. After his performance at the Addis Ababa University Cultural Center Shewaferaw got his first job at the Mega Cultural Institute which was responsible for making the lion’s share of dramas on ETV. For the natural actor Shewaferaw, this was a lucky break. This was a great opportunity for him to work in the TV dramas Man Gedelat? Ayitwa, Bezi Menged Ale and Fozia. Working with the writer of one of the longest running radio drama Abiye Zergaw, Solomon Alemu, Shewaferaw has taken part in Kel Tsedal educational TV drama. After getting acquainted with the public with these TV dramas, he was spotted for his debut feature film Man Yawtaw?. As opposed to the few Ethiopian films made four decades ago, the burst of recent films gave only few actors a chance to pop out and shine on silver screens. But Shewaferaw was among the lucky ones to take part in the majority of the major films. Starting out with acting scenes that required a loud-voice and other demands of stage acting, this actor has faced a bit of the stage influence.
“On my first two three films the stage influence was a bit obvious. We did not take any training on film acting. It was simply with common sense that we acted”, he reminisces.

Filming as any new industry was coming with lots of challenges for the makers in Ethiopia. And the challenge was also presented on the actors. For Shewaferaw taking part in his first film was simply exciting. “We were all focusing on the production not the payment and we took a great lesson acting in that film.” This actor is very optimistic that the Ethiopian Cinema is growing in its production quality. “You can see the improvement of our directors like Tewodros Teshome from his film Kezkaza Wolafen, Fikir Sifered and his latest Key Sihtet”, he said. Taking part in two recent films where one demanded a serious role and another hilarious one, Shewaferaw was in for a challenge when he took part at Yifelegal and Ashenge films. But he states that he has enjoyed the experience. “It is not difficult if you are used to acting”, Shewaferaw said, “But, I enjoy comedy acting more.” Having been blessed with the audience’s love, most of Shewaferaw’s acting were appreciated. This actor considers the support of the people as something most valuable. “I am really amazed by our country’s art and sport supporters. Even when the soccer is down, you see supporters filling out stadiums and that shows you how much they support you”, Shewaferaw said.

“We have made films which were supposed to be labeled as crap. But the audience has seen them and showed us their support. Because the audience knew that we would get better tomorrow. And the audiences are the most influential element in our improvement.” As most parents in Ethiopia Shewaferaw’s were no exception in wishing that he would end up being a doctor, an engineer or a pilot. “It is not that the profession is any less respected than the rest but it is just that the society was not aware. But my parents never shun me the support that I needed.” Shewaferaw states.

Now this actor makes his living from acting. And he considers how the life of acting is like saying, as simply a good one that hopefully will improve a lot in the future. But he straightforwardly states that he does not want to say how much he gets paid.

“There are many payments that you get from the society. When you get into a taxi, or go to some cafés you see that someone has paid your bills. There are times where you would be given priorities when there are people waiting in line. And you feel really proud that you are an Ethiopian”, he explains. Growing up Shewaferaw has never wanted to be anyone else but himself. But he has found characters that he admires in the Hollywood films. Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy are the two actors that he really admires. “Maybe it is because I like comedy”, he explains. When asked which Ethiopian actor or actress he admires the most he responded by saying that all deserve to be praised for they are working in a situation where the means is simply unavailable and equipment not provided. Shewaferaw has enjoyed working with the young Ethiopian directors who in his view have their own qualities. “They are open. They create opportunities for the actors to express themselves and try things out in their own way. When you see films such as Siryet which by the way is not a film I have acted in, you cannot help yourself but give a standing ovation for the director Yidnekachew Shumete. The same respect goes for Paulos Regassa who made great visual effects and scene selections in Ashenge and Henock who made Yewendoch Guday.” Shewaferaw has the desire to direct a film. But he feels that he is not ready for that task yet. “I personally think that a great actor would be a great director. So now I am focusing on my acting. But there would be time where I would be directing.” The current project that this actor is engaged in is the Bahirdar Millennium celebration project. Being a part of the Wubshet Assefa Promotions where he works with his colleagues, Wubshet Assefa and Fitsum Asmelash, this actor will fly to Bahirdar today to start his public relations work. Shewaferaw is the Bahirdar Millennium Project Manager. And the plans he and his colleagues have set include promoting the city that is labeled as one of the seven major places that the Millennium Committee has chosen to celebrate the festival. “We are planning on having a great festival and we are hopping that next to Addis, the celebration is going to be the biggest one in the country. We would have a carnival, a soccer match, a torch lighting ceremony, a film festival and many more. We want to make the celebration free for everyone. Our celebration will kick off the beginning of September.” For Shewaferaw the current project has more significance for him as he is also using it a means to reach out to the talents around the country. “We are aware that there are many talented armature actors in the regions as well. We are reaching out to have them involved in our programs and we also want to create new team so that would work with us and chair our branch there”. This actor states that he is also enrolled in a major film that would be the biggest in the Ethiopian film history. The concept of coming back to the TV screen is something which brings a long sigh, “I would want to do that currently there are two companies that has won auction so if they call me with a good script, I would act. But it has to be a good script. It is great to work on TV because you would reach the audience that is unable to come to Cinemas. But just because of that opportunity you don’t have to act in all.”

June 8, 2007