The glimmering light in Ethiopian Cinema

The framing, color composition, camera movements could definitely alter the way a picture is received by the audience. An Ethiopian cinematographer, Abirham Haile Biru, says that an understanding of the concept of film details could have a big implication in the final output. His heart is captivated with the simple beautiful stories.

One of his films entitled ‘Abouna’ (our father) got him critical acclamation and an award. The film, which was shot in Chad, Cameroon and Niger, depicts the story of two brothers: Amin and Tahir. Abouna was inspired by the plight of the unemployed in Chad, who take a difficult journey to Europe via Morocco, where some make it while others end up in being stuck in Morocco.

Abirham Haile is the man behind the critically acclaimed films like Darratt, Abatyew (the father), La Colere des Dieu, woensdag ghaktag. He was able to win many international awards including FESPACO and Venice international film festival in the category of cinematography. Having studied cinematography in Holland, he started a Blue Nile Film and Television Academy in Ethiopia three years ago. Between the academy and organizing an international film festival-Colours of The Nile – Abirham finds time to sit with Tibebeselassie Tigabu of The Reporter and talk about his experience. Read More