Meet Pascale Appora-Gnekindy | Producer | Kéa-Kwis Production

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pascale Appora-Gnekindy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pascale, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always wanted to be an independent person. My father always said that you shouldn’t rely on charity. So having my own business was very important to me. My goal was to be a role model for women in my area and show them that being a woman or having a disability is no reason to wait help for others. If you set your mind to it, you can achieve whatever you set out to do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I grew up in a poor country where there were no film schools or universities. There was no government support in this field, and I had no formal education in filmmaking before I started making films. I learnt from friends and colleagues working on different projects. Today, my film Eat-Bitter has been shown around the world and won several awards. As a woman with a disability, taking the lead in a group where men are in the majority is not easy. I’m proud that I never gave up and never felt inferior to them. I took the lead and learned how to make my voice heard.

Today, I work on various projects as a film producer and director. I initiated a film writing workshop in Bangui, Central African Republic, called Écrire à Bangui. Achieving this requires continual work and self-sacrifice. This means less time with my family, giving up hobbies and sometimes putting my life or health in danger. I try every day to achieve balance in my life, starting with what is most important and making time for myself.

Throughout my journey, I have learned that you can go fast working alone, but working with the best people makes you go further. It is also important to be in the right place at the right time with the right people, as this is the key to moving forward.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Boali, 97 km from Bangui in the Central African Republic, is my favourite place. Take the Route Nationale n°1 (RN1) north/northeast to the centre of Bangui. It takes just two hours to get there by car. The most attractive part is where we can find waterfalls, nature and fresh air. Fish is the staple food there. There are local and imported beers too. This is the best place to gain insight and artistic inspiration. You can also visit the Boali 1, 3 and 4 hydroelectric dams, which are currently being renovated.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shout-out goes to my mother, Mrs Appora Kavula Angelique. In a sense, I owe my life to her. Even now, she takes care of me, even though I grow older. My family is my greatest support, encouraging and boosting me in everything I do. I’m very grateful to have them.

The fact that I’m working in production today is thanks to my team, with whom I worked on my first documentary, Eat-Bitter. They gave me the opportunity to prove what I can achieve, and I learnt a great deal from them. In particular, Mathieu Faure, my producer, was more than a mentor to me. Although it was hard working together for more then two years, I’m very grateful to him today. He always pushes me to do my best.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appora.gnekindy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascale-appora-gnekindy-334a7354

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/pascale.apporagnekindy.3

Youtube: UC1P583Z2ao1v0ubdA0-hcLQ

Image Credits
Cassandra Ndouba