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| Bi Kidude during her lifetime. Picture taken by Muhidin Issa Michuzi. More coverage of Bi Kidude by this blog CLICK HERE |
‘I Shot Bi Kidude’ recounts the dramatic final months in the life of the world’s oldest
singer, Zanzibar’s Bi Kidude who died last year at a reported age of 102.
The film is yet
to be completed, but this hasn’t deterred the programmers in Durban who invited Andy
to screen a version as soon as they heard that the film was being made.
“Bi Kidude played in Durban, and it is fantastic to share the new film with people in a
city with such a strong connection to her, and to Zanzibar,” says Andy.
‘I Shot Bi Kidude’ tells the tale of Andy’s friendship with the legendary singer, from their
first encounter in 2002 up to her funeral in April 2013.
His acclaimed first film ‘As Old
As My Tongue’, won numerous awards and is regarded as the seminal work about this
extraordinary performer.
“When I heard rumours that Bi Kidude had been kidnapped, I thought ‘somebody
should make a film about that!’ And then I realised that I had all the archive, so it might
as well be me! We’d stayed in touch, but I hadn’t seen her for about three years,” says
Andy, who persuaded South African cinematographer Natalie Haarahoff to join him as
they captured Bi Kidude’s final moments.
“She was always someone around whom
stories grew, and her final years were no less extraordinary. She was even kidnapped
and taken away from the music which fuelled her life.”
When Andy heard that Bi Kidude had died he knew he just had to be at her funeral,
due to take place the following day. Dropping everything, he travelled to Zanzibar,
arriving in the nick of time to film the extraordinary scenes as the whole island came to
a halt to honour this amazing woman.
“This film is my account of that day and what happened in the months beforehand. It
completes Bi Kidude’s story. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about whether to make this
film, but there are some myths which need to be set straight. Bi Kidude was a larger
than life character and this film is for everyone who knows the value of true friendship
and believes in the power of music.”
‘I Shot Bi Kidude’ (work in progress preview) screens with Andy Jones in attendance.
19 July at 17:00 Elangeni Hotel.
22 July at 10:00 Luthuli Museum;
22 July at 17:30 Suncoast 6;
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Andy Jones on +44 7960 393785:
andy@radiofilm.co.uk
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