Tuesday, 12 August 2008 - Johannesburg: Nine organisations from across Southern Africa have collaborated to produce a collection of extraordinary African films. These nine films from nine countries tell moving stories of love and hope, secrets and lies, courage and betrayal in a time of HIV and Aids. They are being televised across the continent in different languages this year at prime time and are suitable for family viewing. 

According to Harriet Perlman, head of Soul City’s regional programme, “Southern Africa has the highest HIV infection rates in the world and now more than ever we need to act together, to stem its tide. Untold, is a remarkable series of short films for TV, written and produced by local writers and film makers from this region.  It is part of a ground breaking cross border health communication project, led by the Soul City Institute, which is working with partners in eight southern African countries to tackle HIV and Aids.”

The project is the largest locally developed prevention communication programme in Africa. It has also developed and unearthed new talent both in front and behind the camera. Film makers and writers across the region attended an intensive eighteen month accredited training course in script writing and drama film production to make films that break new ground and both entertain and educate. Quality scripts with dramatic story lines have been researched and tested with the target audience.

Perlman continues, “We are aiming to stop an epidemic that involves changing complex patterns of human behaviour, in particular sexual behaviour. This is not quickly done with simple messages. Through drama it’s possible to deal with the journey of complex characters, facing complex choices whilst entertaining and educating.”

“We need to reach people with authentic, local stories: stories that jog our deepest beliefs and fears, touch our hearts, get us talking and challenge us to reflect on our own lives and the lives of the people around us. Television is an important vehicle for reaching large audiences and has the potential to contribute significantly to Africa’s development. We need to create opportunities for local filmmakers to develop their skills to tell new stories and grow the local content of quality dramas on television across the region.” 

“HIV and Aids does not respect borders,” says John Molefe, Head of Public Affairs at Soul City. “Our success in curtailing the epidemic depends on a coordinated regional response, not only to share best practice but also to ensure synergy of health messages.”

The series is sponsored by BP, Royal Netherlands Embassy, European Union, DFID and Irish Aid. ENDS

For further information, a full media summary, interviews or photographs, please call Onyx Marketing Communications: Georgina Lefifi 082 908 2555/georgina@onyxmarketing.co.za or Michelle K Blumenau 011 728 5004 / 083 273 9891 / michelle@onyxmarketing.co.za

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:

Broadcast dates in South Africa

The Untold series in different African languages are available with English and Portuguese sub-titles depending on country of broadcast. 

1.      The Test – Malawi: TBC

2.      Secrets and Lies –South Africa: TBC 

3.      A Tempestade (The Storm) - Mozambique: TBC

4.      Ulendo wa Rose (Rose’s journey) -  Zambia: TBC

5.      Batjele (Tell them) - Swaziland: TBC

6.      Rebel Rhymes - Botswana: TBC

7.      Mapule’s Choice - Lesotho: TBC

8.      Chipo’s promise - Zimbabwe: TBC

9.      Between Friends - Namibia: TBC

Programme brands  

·        Botswana: Choose Life

·        Lesotho: Phela Health and Development Communications

·        Malawi: Pakachere    

·        Mozambique: N’weti Comunicação para Saúde

·        Namibia: Desert Soul

·        Swaziland: Lusweti

·        South Africa: Soul City

·        Zambia: Kwatu

·        Zimbabwe: Action

Soul City Institute background

The Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication is a South African NGO, which uses mass media in innovative ways to impact positively on the quality of life, health and well-being of ordinary people. It offers multi-media edutainment that integrate health and development issues into prime time television and radio dramas, supported by print material and advocacy.  It also works regionally with local partners in nine SADC countries.  The regional model aims to create a regional network of health communicators, who share best practice, resources, skills and ideas across countries