Ethiopia - Kenenisa stars in controversial documentary film

By Abiy Demilew

Source: Capital

One of the leading athletes of the world, and a multi-record holder, Kenenisa Bekele, has fallen into controversy over a documentary, 'Love…keeps me running,' revolving around the athlete's life.

Abiy Fekyebelu, managing director of Abiy International Film, screenplay writer and co-director of the documentary, told Capital that Kenenisa has stopped the film's premiere, which was scheduled to be screened at the launch of the Ethiopian millennium in September 2007.

According to Abiy, differences started to rise between him and the athlete after the finalization of the documentary a year ago as they couldn't come to common understanding and agreement on how to proceed with the issue of screening the documentary.

"I've only received ETB 150,000 from Kenenisa for production costs including actors' fees," says Abiy. "The film is now in the hands of the athlete for the last year, without any action and us failing to benefit from the work."

According Abiy, production took two years with around 100 actors and others involved including leading athlete Major Haile Gebresellasie, athlete Tariku Bekele, former athlete and currently coach Tolossa Kotu, singer Habtemichael Demisse, actor Yinebeb Tamiru.

Capital's repeated attempts to contact Kenenisa were unsuccessful. However, on February 27, Kenenisa told Amharic weekly The Reporter that the film 'encroaches on his current private life' and that he is dissatisfied with the production quality of the film.

Abiy disclosed to Capital, that the central theme of the movie circles around the athlete and his late wife, Alem Techale
and that everything was done in full agreement with Kenenisa.
"There was no point in Kenenisa's complaint about the quality standard of the film since the entire production was made by a team of professionals from the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) at the Sheraton Hotel," says Abiy.

"After the finalization, we have both invited guests to critique the story and production quality, and we received appreciation for the quality of work we created," Abiy recalled.

"Love…keeps me running", a two hour work, is directed by Lebanese Elie Abi AAD, with Abiy involved as assistant director.
Asked about efforts to solve the dispute through negotiation, Abiy told Capital that he was forced to address the issue in the media after negotiations failed and the athlete resorted to 'verbally threatening me.'

In a letter sealed and signed by Kenenisa and headlined Kenenisa Bekele Trading, Kenenisa solicits the support and cooperation of all concerned bodies to Abiy International Films.

"I've made this movie only out of love and respect of the athlete, not for profit," says Abiy, "But still, I need my rights respected as per the agreement."

Various attempts made to contact Kenenissa remained unsuccessful all through the week.

Capital learned a negotiation effort has been started by unmentioned artists on Saturday, before Capital went for print.