The Sunday Mail
Zollywood. . . Adoration Bizure (left), Rairo Gunguwo and Mudiwa MutandwaZURE
Tinashe Kusema – Leisure Writer
IN three days time, Zimbabwe will make the much hyped, much talked about switch from analogue broadcasting to digital terrestrial television (DDT).
While a lot of questions continue to be asked about the migration, one undeniable fact is of the benefits for local filmmakers. It is with this thought in mind that this column will periodically interview both old and new filmmakers, with the hope of trying to get their products to the people.
If you take a stroll through Harare’s central business district, you will likely notice posters of the movie “Deception”, which Ster Kinekor premières on June 27.
After weeks of coming across these posters, I decided to track down the writer, screenwriter and star of the film, Adoration Bizure, a mission made easy by the fact that it merely involved going down a flight of stairs in Herald House to the offices of our sister publication, H-Metro.
The following are extracts from a brief chat between Tinashe Kusema and Adoration Bizure, on his movie, aspirations for film-making post-digitalisation and his views on the industry as a whole.
Q: We have known each other, both professionally and personally, for a couple of years now, but for the benefit of the readers can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
A: My name is Adoration Bizure and I was born in 1987. I grew up in Budiriro (in Harare) and went to school at Southerton Primary School, Marlborough High School and eventually Lifelong College where I studied Journalism. I am employed by Zimpapers.
Q: Where does the film-making come in?
A: Well that’s actually a funny story. From as early as I can remember, I have also been a storyteller and I actually remember how people would gather and listen to me as I told them my stories, real and fictional. These were basically folklore but I soon started to create my own as time went on.
Later, I then ventured more and more into film and today Tyler Perry is my favourite filmmaker.
Q: Tyler Perry, why?
A: To me Tyler Perry is the best filmmaker of all time and I have watched every single one of his films. He was actually the inspiration behind my first production “Deception”. I want to be the Tyler Perry of Zimbabwe.
Q: Bold words my friend. Personally I believe Tyler Perry does his best works when he is dressed as a woman – that Madea character. Can we expect to see you in drag in one of your films?
A: Oh no, never. I see him as an outright story teller. He is not into fight scenes, CGI and all those things.
He dramatises social ills that ordinary man go through and paints a story with them. That’s what I take from him, that’s what I want my legacy to be.
Q: So what is the bigger picture here?
A: Well, what I want to do is not only entertain but inform and teach from my films. If one person walks away having gotten something from my film then I will have done my job.
Q: Ok, let’s talk about “Deception”. Is this your first production?
A: While Deception is indeed my first film, I have actually written three others. One is already done and starts production in October and another I’m still polishing up.
Q: Tell me more about the film.
A: Well the film tells the story of a pastor from the rural areas who gets promoted and has to move to the US to minister there. However, before he can go to there, he has to pass through Harare and get mentored. It is there where all hell breaks loose and we follow the trials and tribulations he goes through.
It took about 10 months to make and we shot it in Zimbabwe and the US. We have a lot of talented actors and actresses in it, among them (musician) Mudiwa, Charles Mzemba, Dzidzai Sithole and Hildah Mabu while there are some cameos by Prophet Passion Java from Kingdom Embassy and the dethroned Miss Zimbabwe Emily Kachote. Music was provided by ZimPraise.
Q: You opened the door, we might as well go through it. How much did it cost and is it not weird having to work with Miss World Zimbabwe, given that you were the one who broke the story of her nude pictures, which cost her the crown?
A: I got to know her through a friend and eventually we became friends, though I don’t know if we are still friends after that article because we haven’t communicated at all since the article came out.
I hope she attends the Premiere and other public events.
The reason I wrote that story was because it was the right thing to do and I had to prioritise my profession as a journalist than our friendship.
The article had its consequences but my intention was not to ruin her reputation as I hold no ill-will towards her.
Q: Back to the movie. You wrote, directed, produced and starred in “Deception”. Walk us through the process.
A: It started a year or two ago when I was in the US on assignment. I was taking pictures with this expensive camera when a man approached me enquiring about it and whether or not I was also into film. I said yes on the spot and we kept in touch and he later offered to fund my film.
“Deception” had always been in my plans and so I started perfecting the script with the help of Farai Mungoshi, who is credited as a co-writer. Production took about ten months.
Q: Digitalisation is upon us, what do think the future holds for our local film industry?
A: To be honest, I think the future looks very bright. We have the talent, the writers and the material, all that is left is sponsorship. The corporate sector needs to play their part and help the industry.
That said, filmmakers should also play their part and one way is to form a union whose mandate will be to monitor local filmmakers and help new players.
I was fortunate enough to be well-funded but many others are not and that really does a disservice to the industry.
