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Abidjan dreams of becoming Africa's next cinema hub - Screens - Arts & Culture
Abidjan dreams of becoming Africa's next cinema hub - Screens - Arts & Culture

Al-Ahram Weekly

time20-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Al-Ahram Weekly

Abidjan dreams of becoming Africa's next cinema hub - Screens - Arts & Culture

In the lush forests north of Abidjan, technicians were busy filming on the set of "Le Testament" ("The Will"), a comedy co-production between Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Under a large tree, village elders gathered to discuss the death of a wealthy local cocoa planter. In the film, his children return to their native village and bicker over his inheritance. Ivory Coast is hosting an increasing number of local, pan-African and international productions, and is striving to establish itself as a go-to film destination in Africa in the face of longtime dominance by Nigeria's thriving Nollywood. According to the Ivorian culture ministry, about 30 films and television series were shot in the country last year. This year, 39 other projects have been approved. Between takes of "Le Testament", production manager Shaidate Coulibaly, 31, said there was a growing number of enthusiastic technicians and filmmakers. "The sector's really developing locally," she told AFP. "The new generation wants to tell stories about their daily life, stories that represent them." "We have people who are able to oversee an entire production without needing to look elsewhere," added Adama Rouamba, the film's Burkinabe director, who has witnessed first-hand how the sector has professionalised. - 'Soft power' - Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower and a regional economic powerhouse, is banking on its youth -- 75 percent of the population is under 35 -- to take its fledgling film sector to new heights. Coulibaly, however, said private investors were still "cautious" and even though she received public funding, she had to fight to secure financing. "The credibility of Ivorian cinema is building up bit by bit, but it's a struggle," she added. The commercial capital Abidjan has been the backdrop of Franco-Ivorian director Philippe Lacote's productions since he began his career in 2022. Lacote just finished filming "Clash" -- about rivalry between stars of the popular coupe-decale dance music -- in Abidjan and the Congolese capital Kinshasa, using a predominantly Ivorian team. "It wouldn't have been possible a few years ago," he said. Ivory Coast's Minister of Communication, Amadou Coulibaly, said the government was considering setting up specialised programmes in schools and wants to "train all players in the film sector locally". At a major international convention in Abidjan recently, he said he wanted to make Ivory Coast "the hub of audiovisual content on the continent". The stakes are both economic and cultural, particularly with representations of Africa long dominated by Western countries. Earlier this year, Franco-Ivorian director Jean-Pascal Zadi shot part of his movie "Le Grand Deplacement" here, while "Eldorado", a series by Franco-American film producer Alex Berger, was filmed in the lush tropical Banco forest near Abidjan. "It's important for me to contribute to the development of Africa's cultural industry. We need to produce our own stories, quality content," said Zadi, calling local cinema a form of "soft power". His next film, an action movie, will also be shot in Ivory Coast. - Vision needed - At the National Cinema Office, Adama Konkobo described 2024 as an "exceptional year" and estimated about 20 Ivorian films were screened. In stark contrast, Nollywood -- Nigeria's massive and hugely popular film industry -- released about 2,500. In 2024, Ivorian films made up for about 10 percent of screenings in the country and six percent of the box office. Meanwhile, films produced or co-produced in the United States accounted for 80 percent of the market share, according to the National Cinema Office. "What's missing in the development of local cinema is a clear vision from the authorities," said Lacote, lamenting that the government is focusing on attracting foreign films without adequately financing Ivorian ones. "It creates jobs," he said. "But it doesn't develop national cinema." Coulibaly insisted the political will was there, and highlighted a forthcoming "subsidy mechanism" aimed at young Ivorian talent. Another obstacle to the development of a local film industry has been the country's lack of cinemas, with only 15 movie theatres, nearly all of them in Abidjan. A project to open a new cinema in Bouake in central Ivory Coast and the arrival last year of Pathe cinemas -- a chain owned by a French film production and distribution company -- in Abidjan could change the dynamic. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

Abidjan dreams of becoming Africa's next cinema hub
Abidjan dreams of becoming Africa's next cinema hub

Sinar Daily

time13-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Sinar Daily

Abidjan dreams of becoming Africa's next cinema hub

RUBINO - In the lush forests north of Abidjan, technicians were busy filming on the set of "Le Testament" ("The Will"), a comedy co-production between Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Under a large tree, village elders gathered to discuss the death of a wealthy local cocoa planter. In the film, his children return to their native village and bicker over his inheritance. Franco-Ivorian director Jean-Pascal Zadi speaks during an interview in Abidjan on June 28, 2025. In the shadow of Nigeria's towering Nollywood and its prolific productions, Ivory Coast has been striving to establish itself as an attractive destination for filmmaking on the African continent. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP) Ivory Coast is hosting an increasing number of local, pan-African and international productions and is striving to establish itself as a go-to film destination in Africa in the face of longtime dominance by Nigeria's thriving Nollywood. According to the Ivorian culture ministry, about 30 films and television series were shot in the country last year. This year, 39 other projects have been approved. Between takes of "Le Testament", production manager Shaidate Coulibaly, 31, said there was a growing number of enthusiastic technicians and filmmakers. "The sector's really developing locally," she told AFP. "The new generation wants to tell stories about their daily life, stories that represent them." "We have people who are able to oversee an entire production without needing to look elsewhere," added Adama Rouamba, the film's Burkinabe director, who has witnessed first-hand how the sector has professionalised. 'Soft power' Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower and a regional economic powerhouse, is banking on its youth -- 75 percent of the population is under 35 -- to take its fledgling film sector to new heights. Coulibaly, however, said private investors were still "cautious" and even though she received public funding, she had to fight to secure financing. "The credibility of Ivorian cinema is building up bit by bit, but it's a struggle," she added. The commercial capital Abidjan has been the backdrop of Franco-Ivorian director Philippe Lacote's productions since he began his career in 2022. Lacote just finished filming "Clash" -- about rivalry between stars of the popular coupé-décalé dance music -- in Abidjan and the Congolese capital Kinshasa, using a predominantly Ivorian team. "It wouldn't have been possible a few years ago," he said. Ivory Coast's Minister of Communication, Amadou Coulibaly, said the government was considering setting up specialised programmes in schools and wants to "train all players in the film sector locally". At a major international convention in Abidjan last month, he said he wanted to make Ivory Coast "the hub of audiovisual content on the continent". The stakes are both economic and cultural, particularly with representations of Africa long dominated by Western countries. Earlier this year, Franco-Ivorian director Jean-Pascal Zadi shot part of his movie "Le Grand Deplacement" here, while "Eldorado", a series by Franco-American film producer Alex Berger, was filmed in the lush tropical Banco forest near Abidjan. "It's important for me to contribute to the development of Africa's cultural industry. We need to produce our own stories, quality content," said Zadi, calling local cinema a form of "soft power". His next film, an action movie, will also be shot in Ivory Coast. Vision needed At the National Cinema Office, Adama Konkobo described 2024 as an "exceptional year" and estimated about 20 Ivorian films were screened. In stark contrast, Nollywood -- Nigeria's massive and hugely popular film industry -- released about 2,500. In 2024, Ivorian films made up for about 10 percent of screenings in the country and six percent of the box office. Meanwhile, films produced or co-produced in the United States accounted for 80 percent of the market share, according to the National Cinema Office. "What's missing in the development of local cinema is a clear vision from the authorities," said Lacote, lamenting that the government is focusing on attracting foreign films without adequately financing Ivorian ones. "It creates jobs," he said. "But it doesn't develop national cinema." Coulibaly insisted the political will was there, and highlighted a forthcoming "subsidy mechanism" aimed at young Ivorian talent. Another obstacle to the development of a local film industry has been the country's lack of cinemas, with only 15 movie theatres, nearly all of them in Abidjan. A project to open a new cinema in Bouaké in central Ivory Coast and the arrival last year of Pathé cinemas -- a chain owned by a French film production and distribution company -- in Abidjan could change the dynamic. - AFP

Dune Awakening Swordmaster guide- Builds, best abilities, tips, tricks, and more
Dune Awakening Swordmaster guide- Builds, best abilities, tips, tricks, and more

Time of India

time07-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Dune Awakening Swordmaster guide- Builds, best abilities, tips, tricks, and more

(Image via Funcom) The Swordmaster class in Dune: Awakening is the melee powerhouse. He excels in close-quarters combat with deadly precision. The Swordmaster can turn players into a whirlwind of precision steel. It is perfect for those who thrive in battle's heart and prefer resilient survivability or aggressive dueling. The guide here covers the best Swordmaster builds, essential abilities, and some tips and tricks to dominate Arrakis sands and become an unstoppable force. Dune Awakening Swordmaster optimal build Balanced Swordmaster will thrive on the mix of defense and offense. For raw aggression, give priority to The Blade tree for the raw damage. Boost Long Blade Damage (15% boost at the max rank) and Blade Damage for maximized strikes. Then unlock the Dance of Blades (50% damage can increase after the kills) for chaining the skills into the carnage. Pair it with Foil to have extra survivability during the duels. Foil is the parry counter, which has the enemy damage for 10 seconds. It's essential for the duels. Tip: Pair raw aggression with The Will for better survivability. INSANE SWORDMASTER TROOPER BUILD GUIDE - Dune Awakening If endurance is important, blend The Way and The Will. Deflection, the dart-blocking stance, can block the ranged threats, while the Reckless Lunge (post-lunge 50% damage reduction) helps cut the incoming damage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New York: Gov Will Cover Your Cost To Install Solar If You Live In These Zips SunValue Learn More Undo Additionally, sustain with the Disciplined Breathing and Field Medicine. You will outlast the foes via attrition. Equip Adept Rapier, the high single-target damage, or the Kaleff's Drinker (faster strikes) for the melee. Keep Karpov 38 as the ranged backdrop. For armors, Hollower Stillsuit will offer hydration management and solid protection without any mobility penalties. Best abilities for Swordmaster in Dune Awakening Knee Charge is the fight opener. It can close gaps and stagger the enemies—325 damage and 10s cooldown for free hits at max level. It can be used defensively and aggressively. Retaliate, on the other hand, punishes the attackers with bleed stacks and auto-parries. It's ideal for trading blows. Dune: Awakening — Schools of the Imperium | The Swordmaster Crippling Strike can cripple mobility and drain the enemies' stamina for crowd control. Against the groups. Eye of the Storm against groups unleashes devastating AoE spins (at max rank, yields 140 damage). Ensure to keep Inspiration (35% melee buff teamwide for 23s duration) ready. The teamwide damage of Inspiration can damage buffs and can turn the raids into routs. Some passives like Prescient Strike can double the hits after abilities. Thrive on Danger, on the other hand, offers bonus healing at a low HP. It further enhances Swordmaster's endurance and lethality. Dune Awakening tips and tricks for Swordmaster build and combat Parry timing is an important key. Master Foil and Deflection to punish the enemy attacks. Watch for the telegraphed strikes. Stamina management is necessary. Use Optimized Hydration (25% extra stamina) and Disciplined Breathing (20% faster regen) to stay mobile. Use Desert Conditioning for reduced dehydration penalties and choose General Conditioning to expand the pool. Do not exhaust. Disengage with the dashes if you feel overwhelmed. Kite using Knee Charge. Bait the enemies and then dash in for the stagger. Then, follow up Eye of the Storm for a burst damage. Medkits will be lifesavers. Field Medicine offering 20% extra healing ensures stability within prolonged fights. Master timing blocks to ensure triggering Retaliate. It's not just for button-mashing. Use it against the ranged foes. Use cover for close distance and then knee charge into the melee range. Essential weapons and Armor for Swordmaster For the weapons, Adept Rapier, the Long Blade excels within reach and damage. Pack the Karpov 38 pistols for distant threats. Make sure to switch when the enemies start to kite you. For armor, choose a Hollower Stillsuit. It is non-negotiable. Its lightweight balances mobility and defense while hydrating players in the middle of the fight. Farm the schematics at the Dewgap Gateway. Survive on Arrakis sands mastering Swordmaster Always carry the medkits apart from the sidearm like Karpov 38. Field Medicine can boost healing by 20%. Also, use the Optimized Hydration to stretch the water further. Swordmaster stamina can win duels with ease. Engage with 1 enemy at a time. Swordmaster can definitely shred the solo targets, but the class struggles with the mobs. So, lure stragglers with a pistol. Then, eliminate them in the melee. Note: For the early-game gear, the Scavenger Set is a viable alternative till you can unlock Hollower Stillsuit. Swordmaster rewards aggression and precision. Build the class as per your playstyle—relentless survivor or glass cannon. Leverage parries and use Inspiration for amplified team damage. But do not neglect positioning or stamina. With some simple tactics and the right build, you will carve legends into the Arrakis' dunes like a true Ginaz warrior. Once you do, claim victories with ease onto the sands.

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