TELVISION: Hazel Friedman
IF the SABC archives contained a special section filed under MO for Missed Opportunities, Rhythms and Rights would probably occupy pride of place. Commissioned by the SABC as part of its local-content drive, this made-for-the-RDP dramatised documentary series is brimming with potential. Yet less than five weeks into this 13-part television series, Rhythms and Rights has already left a sour aftertaste in the mouths of its makers.
Directed by Oliver Schmidt, produced by Shareef Callis and co-written by Schmidt and Teboho Mutlasi, the idea for Rhythms and Rights was conceived by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) as part of a concept for developing a culture of human rights. The dramatised format of a community radio chat-show in which controversial debates are aired seemed like a good way of bringing human-rights issues such as freedom of expression, abortion and capital punishment into the homes of South Africans in an accessible and entertaining way.
The screening of the pilot was also planned to coincide with the launch of an LHR book which, according to Callis, would form part of an education campaign aimed at promoting a “national culture of respect”.
“We were promised funding and a prime- time slot, just before the news, by SABC commissioning editor Glen Masokoane, as well as the possibility of selling the series to an American network,” recalls Callis. “Instead, without any warning, the show was pushed into the inappropriate 4.30pm slot without any pre-publicity, preventing us from organising the LHR launch and precluding our target market from being aware of its existence, let alone watching it.”
Although 4.30pm is reserved for educational programmes, an afternoon, between-the-soapies slot clearly means the programme misses its targeted adult audience.
But timing seems to be one of a series of glitches marring the production and screening of Rhythms. Callis accuses the SABC of “screwing us around every bend, by promising funding, then insisting that the makers of Rhythms come up with the money required to complete the series from the Danish Embassy … Independent film-makers are at a disadvantage with the SABC because we are expected to get 30% collateral for our work before the SABC takes it on, and after that there are no accountable structures to ensure that the SABC’s funding obligations are fully met.”
Masokoane refutes these allegations and insists that Rhythms and Rights will be given a second chance to be aired at a more appropriate time. He says: “With the recent restructuring, the most suitable time slots have not always been available.”
The series revolves around a community radio station called Rhythms and Rights — and includes street interviews with the public on topical issues. With each episode lasting a mere 15 minutes, it is impossible for the series to do more than prod the surface of issues such as sexist speech or the death penalty. And the characters, played by professional actors, have little option but to stir up the debates before reducing them to sound-bites.
But Rhythms and Rights is more than the sum of its parts. Filmed by a consummate crew and skilfully acted, it taps into complex issues from which many South Africans feel alienated. And unless programmes such as this are given their due, the term “local content” might soon be replaced by “local contempt”.
Rhythms and Rights is screened on SABC 2 on Thursdays at 4.30pm