Two films produced by students at the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy for Southern Africa can be seen this week and next on DStv, allowing Zimbabwean viewers to see the work created by new industry creative training at part of the MTF initiative.
The films are The Painting and Savannah Skies, produced entirely by the students of the MTF Academy in Lusaka, which includes two Zimbabweans, Nobert Mapfoche and Rutendo Mahofa.
The Painting is a horror film conceptualised and written by Nikita Mokgware and directed by Emanuel Goncalves. The storyline involves a pregnant abstract painter who lives with her husband and son and who is struggling to sell her work because they are not ‘African’ enough. One morning she discovers a painting in her house of a woman in full traditional Bemba attire with all the cultural trappings, and this sets the scene for the story. The film stars award-winning actor Leo Simukoko, actress and poet Chitalu Kaibele, as well as Barbara Mwaramidze and Sweddy Mwansa alongside a number of budding Zambian actors.
Savannah Skies is a romantic drama conceptualised and written by Ludmila Mero and Muchemwa Sinkala and directed by Joshua Kafumukache. It is set around a young woman who, after being left with little or no choice, is forced into marriage to save her father. She has to navigate her way in a new household, defying her conniving mother-in-law as she pursues her education and learns of an unconfessed love that has been with her all along. Well-known Southern African faces such as famous former Kabanana actress Phenny Walubita who plays the main antagonist role will be seen on screen as well as Angela Nachilongo and a number of new faces. Both productions were filmed on location in Zambia.
The Zimbabwean students in the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy were involved in the creation of Savannah Skies, Nobert Mapfoche as producer and post-production supervisor and Rutendo Mahofa as first assistant director and marketing director.
DStv’s Zambezi Magic will premiere the films this week and next, with The Painting screening on Friday October 18 at 9pm, repeating at 8pm on Sunday October 20. Savannah Skies airs on Friday October 25, also at 9pm and also with a repeat, this time 8pm on Sunday October 27.