(August 2020. From my journals; The Escape to Africa during a pandemic and divorce. Previous post: https://secondchapternomad.blog/2023/03/31/zanzibar-dreams-part-4-stone-town-nightclubs-prison-island-giant-tortoises-nakupenda-island/)
https://www.expedia.com/shop/second-chapter-nomad/africa (small commission if booked through me)
Day 40 – The Music Video
This has become a personal challenge and mission to film something in Zanzibar. Making my visions and dreams a reality. I couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s turning out. “Pole pole”, go with the flow, respect the culture and ways of doing business, letting the local partners take the lead. Definitely padding extra time into the schedule.
Met the film crew from Dar es Salaam on the sunset ferry. Welcome coconuts – drank the coconut water. Sampled “Zanzibar pizza” at the market. Devine. Unlike anything I’ve ever had.
Prepping at Tembo Hotel. The staff gave us full reign.
We all got on the “Meet Me in Zanzibar” dhow to go film on Nakupenda Island. A seafood feast was cooked in the sand. The colors were vibrant and the air electric.
These photos (videos on Instagram) really moved me. At the end of a long day, racing against the darkness, the boatmen/cooks whipped out their instruments and played on the journey back from Nakupenda Island. Everyone, cast and crew, danced over the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean. So joyous. Even the girls that started in full Muslim coverings had discarded the head scarves and robes and were twerking (haha). Life is hard here, with daily wages less than $10. Yet there is beauty and joy. These same boatmen upon landing on the sandbar went to their separate areas and practiced some yoga-like exercises. They were at one with the land, the sea and the sky.
This was a magical day that I’m confident will transfer to the screen. I couldn’t be happier.
Day 42 – Wrapped the music video shoot. What a challenging, magical, satisfying experience crossing cultural and language barriers, creating something beautiful. Six locations, probably at least 25 cast and crew at various points, additional staff and community members eagerly in the background. High end camera, even a drone. Including footage from Hope from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari. Can’t wait to see the finished product. Filming in Africa – Tanzania and Zanzibar specifically – can be done! Here are some photos from Prison Island and Stone Town.
Last night culminated with a beach bonfire complete with local musicians, including instruments such as “qanun”, oiled up male dancers doing flips and playing with fire. My hotel was “base camp”. Loved watching the musicians warm up in the outdoor lobby, sipping on coffee. Most likely have never “crossed the rope” from the beach into the resort before.
The night, and the shoot, ended with joyful, unscripted exuberance.
Next post: https://secondchapternomad.blog/2023/01/15/zanzibar-dreams-part-6-a-local-wedding/
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