A Documentary on the Political Struggle of One Man and One Archipelago – is a film rich in historical insight and imagery. Journey to the State House: The Life of Seif Shariff Hamad depicts the long and winding story of one of Zanzibar’s most dedicated politicians.
Brimming with accounts from politicians and observers alike, the film paints an insightful backdrop to the sheer political magnitude of Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad being elected into power by the Zanzibari people in 2010.
The film is a celebration of his personal determination and participation in bringing peace to Zanzibar, and serves as an eye opener to those unfamiliar with the history of Tanzanian and Zanzibari politics. Although topics discussed within the film are political, the film’s producer and director, Javed Jafferji, stresses that the overall aim is not so much political, as it is “a celebration of one man’s exceptional life and struggle, and the emphasis is on the importance of peace in Zanzibar.”
Passionate about the story that he felt needed to be told, Jafferji and his team at ZG Films and Media House worked tirelessly for six months to document the referendum and general elections in Zanzibar which would change its political history forever, and to collect never before seen photographs, film and interviews for this fascinating documentary. Jafferji chose to tell this story so that Zanzibaris would spread the news of this monumental shift in Zanzibari politics further a field, to “spread the good news of what is happening on the islands.”
Following Maalim Seif for five months on the concluding leg of his twenty-two year long struggle from political outcast to becoming the very first 1st Vice President of Zanzibar, the 50 minute documentary covers not only his political life but his personal life too, from his happy childhood to his regrets as a father and husband.
During almost three years as a prisoner of conscience (soon after being unexpectedly ejected from the Zanzibar government as Chief Minister as well as from CCM, the sole legal political party at the time, in 1988), and due to his own enduring commitment to the politics of the nation, both he and his family suffered greatly over the years.
Filled with remarkable accounts from Maalim Seif, his wife and those around him, together with fascinating footage of him meeting face to face with the people of Zanzibar and participating in iftar during the holy month of Ramadhan, the viewer gains a more complex sense of who the man himself really is.
The world premiere of Journey to the State House: The Life of Seif Shariff Hamad will take place with special guest, Hon. Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad, at 8:40pm on June 19th at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (venue: Old Fort).
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