麻豆约拍

16 September 2021

Contains Strong Language presents a series of films highlighting the flourishing poetry scenes of Southern Africa and the UK. They explore topics relevant to young, creative people today: from finding peace in our technology-driven lives, to finding strength to keep going in difficult times, as well as seeking, and losing, love.

DigiPoems has brought together leading poets from the flourishing poetry scenes in Southern Africa and Coventry in the UK to collaborate on new digital film poems. The poets worked with digital artists on the 90 second films.

As well as new commissions, the poets and artists have engaged in a series of international performance, networking and skills sharing sessions, helping to create bonds and strengthen the sectors between Southern Africa and Coventry. The DigiPoems films and poets are to feature at the 麻豆约拍 Contains Strong Language festival in September 2021 - full details at the bottom of the page.

Note that third party videos may contain adverts.

Musenga “MessenJah” Katongo (Zambia) reflects on finding peace in our technology-driven lives.

Musenga Katongo aka MessenJah is a Spoken Word artist and three-time International and Local Poetry Slam champion. He is also the award-winning creative entrepreneur behind Colour Culture, a creative arts platform that educates the youth on Zambian culture and history through poetry. Musenga uses the art of poetry to impact and influence society and empower his fellow creatives.

Dana Chis (UK) is a passionate Multimedia Producer and exceptional animator and illustrator. She has collaborated with renowned artists and organisations such as Coventry City of Culture 2021, Angel Sharp Media-Oxford University and Imagineer Productions and her Undergraduate final media project, One New Notification, has been nominated for numerous film festivals worldwide.

Lorna Zita (Mozambique) writes on finding the strength to keep going in difficult times.

Lorna Zita is a talented Mozambiquan spoken word artist who has been declared the most Influential Voice of African Women by I, Africa. She is also a proudly black artist whose powerful poem titled African Identity, which touches on African culture and black identity, featured in the 2020 edition of DigiPoems.

Mudiwa Kimberely Marasa (Zimbabwe) is a burgeoning Illustration and Animation Artist influenced and inspired by her Christian faith. Her digital art is characterized by colour, movement and the spiritual, and invokes powerful emotions. Having pursued art from a young age and with a background in traditional drawing and oil painting, Mudiwa is a passionate and skilled creator.

Aysar Ghassan (UK) explores seeking love and connection in a socially distanced world.

Aysar Ghassan is a talented poet with a love for experimenting with new and unique forms of expression. His passion and skill in poetry have seen his work featuring in poetry journals such as Magma, Strix and Under The Radar, as well as at the 2020 Kenilworth Arts Festival. Aysar has also represented Coventry with his work in the Coventry-Cork Poetry Exchange and continues to contribute to the world of poetry as a Dynamo Mentee at Nine Arches Press.

Kudakwashe Rwizi (Zimbabwe) is a talented Artist, freelance Animator and Illustrator with a love for storytelling. Drawing inspiration from comic books, illustration and animation, Kuda uses his creative skills to tell powerful stories through media and art. Kuda spends his time searching for and consuming stories that motivate him to continue creating outstanding and impactful digital art.

Andrea Mbarushimana (UK) considers the balancing act of modern family life.

Andrea Mbarushimana is a community connector and artist with a wealth of experience in writing poetry. Her work has featured in lit-mags and anthologies and her poetry publications include The Africa In My House and Airshow, which won the V20 competition. Andrea has also appeared in the 麻豆约拍 Upload Festival and is currently anticipating the launch of her brand new pamphlet, Fatbergs, with Knives Forks and Spoons Press.

Tavonga Shumbanhete (Zimbabwe) is a 2D animator, a vocalist and foodie with a passion for the visual and creative arts. Since starting animation in 2017, Tavonga continues to hone his artistic skills with the goal of imparting his knowledge to future generations and, one day, launching his own locally-based animation studio.

John Bernard (UK) lyrically portrays how a life-threatening situation can make us question our actions.

Coventry-based poet John Bernard is an intricate lyricist and powerful poet who makes use of his skills to inspire and influence his listeners. His poems are meaningful and potent, and invigorate all those who listen to them. Through his unique and distinctive delivery, John seeks to provoke change and guide his listeners towards realising their own individual potential.

• John Bernard - Loaded Handgun for Poetry as Protest

Refilwe Bantle Wale (Botswana) is a self- taught Concept Digital Artist with a knack for interpreting ideas and concepts into astounding artwork. Her work has featured on the cover of international musical artist Nasty C’s album, and Netflix documentary Zulu Man in Japan, gaining her popularity on social media. Refilwe continues to develop her artistic skills by designing for celebrities and companies in Botswana and South Africa.

Prudence D. Dube (Zimbabwe) explores the pain and ‘pretty pink baggage’ of past heartbreak.

18-year-old Spoken Word artist Prudence D. Dube is a passionate poet, singer/songwriter, film and theatre actress and performing artist. She has won two poetry slams at the Instwasa Arts Festival, won Third Prize in the KhanyisaLit~Fest Harare poetry slam and been crowned a winner of the 2020 Battle of The Cities Poetry Slam. Through her poetry, Prudence seeks to convey messages of peace, hope and boldness whilst also championing human rights.

Eugene Ramirez Mapondera (Zimbabwe) is an accomplished animator, illustrator and multimedia designer with over 12 years of experience. Eugene is the Co-Founder of . He entered the creative industry in 2007 as a concept artist for advertising agencies such as Upton Fulton McCann and Barkers Ogilvy in Harare. He quickly leveraged his love for digital media and learnt to animate in 2D and 3D. By 2010 his reputation as a multi-disciplinary digital artist spread as far as Europe and the US where he would later work in art departments for films such as The Secret Princess (2016), and Boston (2014).

Youthful Cities: Global Words is an event featuring poets from this project and the Beirut x Coventry project in conversation, and takes place as part of 麻豆约拍 Contains Strong Language on Sunday 26 September at 13:00, at The Box, FarGo Village.

These projects are part of wider programmes of international cultural exchange taking place through Coventry UK City of Culture in partnership with The British Council.