Project dldl/ድልድል Premieres Docudrama ‘Tidar’ (‘Marriage’) in Addis Ababa

Projectdldl  – 09/12/2023

Read detailed Report at :https://projectdldl.org

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: Project dldl/ድልድል held the film premiere for its docudrama ‘Tidar‘ (‘Marriage’) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on December 4th, 2023. The event coincided with the International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, aiming to raise awareness about domestic violence and the role of the Church in addressing it.

Over 80 guests attended the screening at Vadmas Cinema, representing diverse backgrounds from women’s rights organizations, faith-based groups, embassies, educational institutions, and Ethiopia’s filmmaking community.

The film tells the story of Genet, an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian woman facing domestic violence in her marriage. It follows her as she seeks solutions within her community while remaining faithful to her religious beliefs. The story is a composite of real stories collected by Dr. Romina Istratii during her research in northern Ethiopia.

‘Tidar’ aims to:

• Evidence the experiences of women like Genet.
• Raise awareness about the need for clergy training in responding to domestic violence.
• Promote helpful theological teachings on marriage and relationships.

The film is a collaborative effort between Dr. Istratii, UK-based production company Exile Pictures, and Ethiopian production company Kurat Pictures. Yidnekachew Shumete Desalegn directed the film with an all-Ethiopian crew. Funding was provided by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under Dr. Istratii’s Future Leaders Fellowship grant.

The premiere was a celebratory and engaging event, despite production challenges like political unrest and the pandemic. Guests enjoyed coffee, popcorn, and traditional Ethiopian bread before the screening. A lively Q&A session followed, with Dr. Istratii and Yidnekachew Shumete answering questions about the film’s motivations, aims, and content.

‘Tidar’ is anticipated to be released open-access in 2024, making it widely accessible to communities in Ethiopia and beyond. This accessibility is crucial for raising awareness and fostering meaningful dialogue about domestic violence within Ethiopian communities and the Church.

The film’s combination of personal stories, theological teachings, and engaging storytelling has the potential to encourage positive change and empower individuals and communities to address domestic violence.

Watch Now – Trailer of ‘Tidar’ (Marriage)

Source: projectdldl