The framing, color composition, camera movements could definitely alter the way a picture is received by the audience. An Ethiopian cinematographer, Abirham Haile Biru, says that an understanding of the concept of film details could have a big implication in the final output. His heart is captivated with the simple beautiful stories.

One of his films entitled ‘Abouna’ (our father) got him critical acclamation and an award. The film, which was shot in Chad, Cameroon and Niger, depicts the story of two brothers: Amin and Tahir. Abouna was inspired by the plight of the unemployed in Chad, who take a difficult journey to Europe via Morocco, where some make it while others end up in being stuck in Morocco. Abirham Haile is the man behind the critically acclaimed films like Darratt, Abatyew (the father), La Colere des Dieu, woensdag ghaktag. He was able to win many international awards including FESPACO and Venice international film festival in the category of cinematography. Having studied cinematography in Holland, he started a Blue Nile Film and Television Academy in Ethiopia three years ago. Between the academy and organizing an international film festival-Colours of The Nile - Abirham finds time to sit with Tibebeselassie Tigabu of The Reporter and talk about his experience. Excerpts:

Why did you call the festival ‘Colours of the Nile’?

Mehari Brothers: adding touch in contemporary Ethiopian music

Addis Ababa- January 15, 2012- Ethiopian music history witnessed several short lived, but in one way or another extraordinary bands. After the military orchestra at the end of 1950s and the beginning of 1960s, introduced modern musical sounds for, several privately owned bands started to emerge here and there. Especially during the golden era of the Ethiopian music, the 1970s have seen bands that transformed the sound to a timeless melody.

Among these bands, many still remember Roha band. This band, for many, is answerable for shaping the entire Ethiopian modern music in its own rhythm. Considering its significant role in the over all Ethiopian modern music history, there are contradictory opinions about the band. Some blame Roha band for controlling the Ethiopian music industry in its golden era, monopolizing and limiting the sound only to its own. The 1970s Ethiopian music, one way or another was fashioned to the Roha band style and sound only.