Israeli-born film Director, Dan Wolman, credited with 45 years of film production talked to Cameroon Tribune after the projection of Gei Oni in Bamenda.

What is the film Gei Oni all about?

Gei Oni is a film that basically tells the story about what Israel is today. It is about the roots of Israel. It is also the personal story of a woman who was traumatised, moved from Russia to Palestine and is forced to marry a man. She is uncomfortable in the marriage with a secret she has been keeping. They become true lovers only after she makes public her secret.

What impact can Gei Oni have on the Cameroon society?

This is about a woman who believes in her role which requires faithfulness, caring and motherliness and at the same time, a woman with a lesson that women must carry a strong character and fight for what they deserve. Also remember that the setting has to do with Israeli or Jewish people who had a lot of enemies but managed to emerge as a powerful people and nation. It is also a lesson for brotherly Cameroonian people to move from strength to strength.

What can Cameroon’s film industry gain from your 45-year experience in the sector?

Perhaps, I should share Israel’s experience with you. In effect, actors of Israeli’s film industry took time off to demonstrate as they caused parliament to adopt a law lifting the film industry which, according to us, is as important as dance and theatre. It was against this background that the Israeli government now budgets about 20 Million US Dollars for the sector annually. The money is disbursed through special Foundations to young film producers.

Our government invests huge sums of money in the sector which is also a way to tell the world that Israel is not only about war. Remember that in the last three years, Israel, the small country of seven million people lined up in a row, finalists in the race for Oscars for the best foreign films.

How did you size up the audience at the event launching the film festival in Bamenda?

I was surprised at the reaction of the audience. They were very much into the film and they were excited, reacting and laughing. At a point I was at a loss why they were laughing at a man in the film who was trying to forcefully make love with his wife. I think it is a tragedy and the reaction of the audience was interesting.