Director/Producer Tom Harrad on creating Handmade in Africa
In 2019 I had the extraordinary fortune of being asked to film, direct and produce three documentary films for the 麻豆社’s Handmade strand, in Ethiopia, Kenya and Senegal. Each film traces the production of an object, made using traditional methods, from beginning to end. Filming three films in a row across Africa was an absurd privilege - a solo challenge as daunting as it was exciting. In a post-COVID 19 world, where a trip to the pub is now a mythic experience, I feel even more lucky to have been able to undertake such an adventure.
The beauty of the Handmade series of films is their observational simplicity. No presenters, no graphics, no scripts or setups. They simply depict a skilled individual, diligently bringing something unique into the world, whilst explaining the cultural significance of their actions in their own words. Whilst it was a rare opportunity to get to produce such pure, unrushed documentary for television, the most valuable part of the experience for me, was getting to know and spend time with people from communities in countries I would never usually get the chance to visit.
Because in each of the three nations in which I filmed, I was struck by the profound sense of community I encountered. In Dorze, Ethiopia, an entire village participated in the construction of a new house for an elderly widow in need. In Kenya, Maasai women on the outskirts of Nairobi use ceremonial beadmaking as a form of collective labour, helping to foster financial and social solidarity among groups. In Dakar, Senegal, a neighborhood of artisans work, pray and support one another in the production of exquisite musical instruments.
My hope is that some of this comes across in the films themselves. The focus of the Handmade films is witnessing a master craftsperson at work, using ancient techniques to produce unique and traditional objects. But for me, the real pleasure was seeing how these processes bring people together: to eat, worship, share stories, learn, play music and dance.
In an age of social distancing, watching these films back makes me appreciate not only what an extraordinary adventure it was to travel across Africa to make these films, but also what a privilege it was to meet and be welcomed by strangers, document their way of life, and celebrate the culture they share, together.
