Henry BJ calls for waivers on filming equipment

ACTOR and comedian Henry ‘BJ’ Phiri has called on the Government to consider introducing duty waivers on entertainment equipment in order to boost the entertainment industry.

Henry BJ has also advised musicians and actors to consider telling the Zambian story in their acts.

The actor-cum-filmmaker who is famous for his role in Kabanana said the Government should introduce waivers such as those on agricultural equipment.

Henry BJ who is just finishing working on his second movie Black Dollar after his award winning I Am Not A Witch said that is the only way the film industry will be boosted to international standard.

“Because I wanted the production to be of international standard, I had to hire a camera and other equipment from the United States, it was very expensive. We need a waiver on these things the same way we have on agricultural equipment.

“Zambia’s film industry has very huge potential to grow and in order for it to do so, we need the support from the Government. Otherwise, without the support, we won’t be doing much. Film has the potential to grow this economy,” he said.

He says quality standards are everything in film.

“Because of my role in I Am Not a Witch, I was once changed from economy to business class on an Emirates flight when they found out that I was the one behind the movie. They did that because they appreciate quality standards and that is how it should be,” he said.

Henry BJ said local television channels should also be empowered so that they replicate the gesture to local content makers.

“For as long these local channels are not empowered as much, content creators will continue running to the likes of Zambezi Magic which would later translate into monopoly. We need to build the capacity for local channels to support local content,” he said.

On music, Henry BJ said musicians are not telling the Zambian story.

“It’s not just about I love you this and that, let us promote and portray our culture in our music. These days, you can tell a song is from Nigeria, Zimbabwe or Namibia just from the production. That is how it should be in Zambia too.

“Even in film, it should be the same too. We have the Victoria Falls that we can market in our movies and the likes. The idea is we are better placed to tell the Zambian story than anyone else. We don’t have to leave that responsibility to other people. That is how our friends in other countries are doing it,” he said.