LAUNCH OF JOURNEY TO STATE HOUSE

This week  saw the world premiere of a film on the political life of the current 1^st Vice President of Zanzibar happen at the Zanzibar International Film Festival with His Excellency, the Honourable Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad, and a number of high-ranking ministers and ambassadors in attendance.

The film, Journey to the State House: the Life of Seif Shariff Hamad, was scheduled to be the second film of the evening but a large crowd had already come and taken their seats before the films had even started showing. The trailer of the film, shown almost 2 hours before the 1^st Vice President was set to arrive, was apparently taken as the introduction to the film itself and charged the crowd which started clapping and cheering at the sight of His Excellency on the screen.

The evening was opened by the film’s producer and director, Javed Jafferji, founder and leader of the Zanzibar-based ZG Films. “This film is about one man’s dedication and patriotism,” Jafferji said, “and about one man who tirelessly believed in himself, without losing hope at any moment, through all the trials and troubles he has faced in a political struggle that lasted 22 years.” 

Journey to the State House: The Life of Seif Shariff Hamad is a film rich in historical insight and imagery. The film 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. 

Photograph of Maalim Seif with Javed Jafferji.