‘13 MONTHS OF SUNSHINE’ LIGHTS UP ETHIOPIAN AUDIENCE
IN CAPITAL CITY PREMIERE
Film About Immigration, Coffee, and Love In America Ushers New Era of Ethiopian Filmmaking & Draws Addis Audiences in Droves in Star-Studded Multiplex Gala
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – “13 Months of Sunshine,” debut feature of director Yehdego Abeselom, made history last month by becoming the first Ethiopian-made film to play alongside such major Hollywood releases as “Enchanted,” “I Am Legend,” “The Game Plan,” and “Hitman” in its world premiere at the new state-of-the-art Matti Multiplex Cinema. Attending dignitaries included the Ambassador of Culture and Tourism Mr. Mohammed Dirrer, Laureate Artist Afework Tekle, and Mr. Habteselassie Tafese, the man who originated the official Ethiopian tourism motto “The land of 13 months of sunshine.”
Though not present at the premiere, Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis spoke with Abeselom on the phone, conveying his congratulations on the film’s success.
Described by its filmmakers as “uniquely Ethiopian-American,” “13 Months of Sunshine” explores the tensions of immigrants in a land of opportunity who discover their lives, bound up in Ethiopian culture, must compete with American sensibilities. Starring native Ethiopians Sammy Amare as Solomon and Tsion Fikreselassie as Hanna, the story revolves around their arranged, temporary marriage, lasting a year and a month, and $20,000 Hanna’s family pays Solomon to prove to immigration officials the union is legitimate. Their relationship travels from casual to serious as they learn to live with each other, but they soon find strong outside influences threaten to erode the traditions of their culture and tear them apart.
“ ‘Thirteen Months of Sunshine’ has set a new standard for Ethiopian films made in the U.S.,” says The Ethiopian American. Shot entirely in Los Angeles, the film features breakout performances from Amare and Fikreselassie and key work by American Delaine Knight, playing a talent scout who discovers Hanna and draws her into the wilds of fashion modeling.
“13 Months of Sunshine” was produced by Abeselom a year after completing Chapman University’s film program. Producers Jeremiah Lewis and Jeff Bartsch have several award winning films between them (Bartsch’s “Stained” took top honors, including Best Film, in the 2008 168 Festival, and Lewis’s “Zero Sum” and “Mosquito Man” earned him Best Director and Third Best In Show at the 2005 and 2004 Progeny Festival, respectively). This is their first feature.
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