Country’s only ‘Special Effects’ dies

Many Rwandans, if asked about Steve Ntasi, would retort, “Steve who?” And if the truth be told, many never heard the name. But he was famous in Rwanda’s film industry.Ntasi died on April 8, from King Faisal Hospital where he was admitted for one week. He had been battling with breathing difficulties. He was 39 and single.He will be buried on Wednesday at Remera Cemetery. Ntasi was born in 1972 in Goma, DR Congo and served the Rwanda Patriotic Force (RPF) from 1992 – 2001. He was a freelance filmmaker at Rwanda Cinema Centre. Speaking to The New Times, the Director Rwanda Cinema Centre/Rwanda Film Festival Event, Pierre Kayitana, said Ntasi was the only Special Effects in the country and was also an Assistant Director in the Art Department. Ntasi worked on many memorable movies including, ‘Shooting Dogs’, ‘Sometimes in April, ‘Shake Hands with the Devil’, ‘Zone Turquoise’, ‘Africa United’ and Award-winning feature documentary, ‘Kinyarwanda.’ He was considered as a hardworking and social person by many who worked with him. Ntasi also worked on a film in India and in Uganda. “We, film people, will never forget him ... I m really so sad to a point that I can’t even think straight,” Kayitana blogged on Facebook. Rwanda Cinema Centre’s Associate Producer and Art Director, Jolie Murenzi, who worked with Ntasi on six movies, including ‘Shooting Dogs’, ‘Africa United’ noted that he was not only a colleague but a great friend. “Ntasi had a big heart. He talked to everyone and was a great script writer. All filmmakers in Rwanda and abroad we are mourning Steve,” Joile said. Jacques Rutabingwa, a filmmaker said: “Steve helped me in my movie ‘‘Isugi’ and he was a close friend because we shared the same interest to develop the country’s film industry.” Gospel artists sympathize with Rwandans. Ends

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Country’s only ‘Special Effects’ dies