Knowing about Hollywood movies is important for most of you, nothing new. You may also know many other foreign movies like those in Bollywood and Nollywood. But elsewhere in the world a film industry is just as impressive as the ones mentioned above but even more unknown to many of us: Swahiliwood or Bongo Cinema – The Tanzania Movie Industry.
Swahiliwood, or the Bongo cinema, has been producing films on par with highly acclaimed films from other countries for a decade. In fact, Tanzania films are currently receiving international acclaim and are gaining popularity in countries in East and Central Africa.
To introduce you to Tanzanian movies, we bring you some of the best must-see movies.
Swahiliwood: Top Must-See Tanzania Movies
Darwin’s nightmare
Darwin’s Nightmare is a European-produced documentary film filmed in 2004 and 2006 was nominated for Documentary at the 78th Academy Awards. The film shows the environmental and social impact of fishing in the country. After knowing this, the Tanzanian government tried to ban the film as it portrays the government negatively. However, the aim of the film is to show the negative effects of this industry as a whole. This masterpiece is one of the many films that prove that films are media of information and change.
Hatari – A classic film from Tanzania
This movie is perhaps the most popular Tanzania movie out there. Although produced by an American, this film beautifully paints the wonders and landscapes of Tanzania. This cinematic beauty is directed by Howard Hawks and the Duke John Wayne.
Maangamizi: The old one
Maangamizi is a 2001 American and Tanzanian drama drama directed by Martin Mhando and Roh Mulvihill. His outstanding performance was rightly recognized at the Pan African Film Festival premiere and has been screened at over 55 film festivals around the world. The film focuses on the character of Dr. Asira, who faces the contradiction between Western medicine and traditional East African spiritual beliefs when a woman claims to have been entered by a shaman’s spirit. This film is perfect for anyone who wants to revive their spiritual side.
Bongoland 1 & 2 – One of the best Tanzania movies
This realistic film easily made the Bongoland series featured on this list of top Tanzania films. The film is mostly in Swahili, but also has little English. Essentially, it shows that national pride matters and that Tanzania is a country worth living in.
bongo 2
Fungu la kukosa
https://youtu.be/hY5-kqz7nws
This film has all the elements of drama almost perfectly. And it has grit, excitement and thrill all rolled into one. The story is about Rita who moves to the city to look for Kabwe, his son’s father. After Kabwe rejects her, Rita has her thoughts about leaving the baby in a dump, but the two are taken in by a drunkard named Dimoso, who Rita eventually fell in love with. When the baby is hospitalized, Dimoso becomes stressed about money and hit by a vehicle. The driver, Mirate, agrees to pay the hospital bills for Dimoso and the baby.
However, it seems that Dimoso and Mirate are starting to have an affair. Meanwhile, Rita gets a job from her childhood friend, Raita, with whom she also begins an affair. Kabwe, the baby’s father, tries to win Rita back, but when Rita rejects him, he has a magician cast a spell on her. At her marriage to Raita, the spell infuriates Rita.
Augua
Another great film in Tanzania is Augua. Amani, Uledi and George are fast friends who all share their personal affairs with each other. However, when it comes to spirituality and lifestyle, Uledi separates from his friends. While Amani agrees to become engaged to Ummi and George to Amanda and eventually marry according to their religion and culture, Uledi breaks away from religious restrictions. And in the end this evil destroys Uledi. A drama about love and spirituality, Augua is definitely a must see.
In short, Tanzanian films have a lot to offer. The world recognized that Tanzania is just a film location due to its wildlife and scenic beauty, but they now realize that Tanzania has what it takes to make its mark in the international film industry as well. Over the years the film industry in Tanzania has continuously improved and now comes up with many great films.