The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe
AFTER debuting at the Harare International Festival of the Arts this year, the team behind the play “Finding Temaraire”, has decided to make a film out of the theatrical masterpiece.
Piotrowska revealed that the movie was now in post-production.“It was always our plan to have the play adapted for film and we are happy with the progress made so far,” said director of the play and renowned filmmaker, Agnieszka Piotrowska.
“We started shooting in May with the same phenomenal cast as in the play, that is, Eddmore Sandifolo and Charmaine Mujeri. The production designer remains Josh Change while Obrian Mudyiwenyama, who was the director of photography on the film ‘Playing Warriors’, added his expertise on the film.
“The movie is now in post production and the same person who edited the movie ‘Escape’, Anna Dobrowodzka, is editing Temeraire.”
Piotrowska said working with award-winning playwright, Stanely Makuwe, was delightful.
“I have always wanted to work with Stanley Makuwe and so I was delighted when he asked me to direct ‘Finding Temeraire’. He said that he wanted me to bring out the bold vision that he had. I was totally bowled over by the play, which is both empowering for the female character but also has a possibility of an amazing resolution — a sense of divine grace — almost.
“I knew immediately I wanted to do it as a film — drawing from traditions such as Roman Polanski’s ‘Death and The Maiden’,” she reflected.
Makuwe was also full of praises for his director.
“I am impressed how Agnieszka Piotrowska is making it all come to life in ways which are unexpected too. She brings a level of professionalism and passion to the work, which I like a lot and which I believe people might like to learn from. I also really loved the music she commissioned, the composer and musicians are Lovedale Makalanga (ex Mafriq) and Ama Badandze,” said Makuwe.
Renowned actor, Sandifolo, says working with the team always helps bring the best out of him.
“Charmaine, Agnieszka and I have worked together before so this is a great experience. The play is very special. Agnieszka always pushes me to find emotions and areas of performance, which are new to me. ‘Escape’ was a revelation and this character, Temeraire, is again a new departure for me. It has been amazing,” said Sandifolo.
The play is set to go on a tour of Zimbabwe and Piotrowska says they are already working on other delicacies for the big stage.
“We are already working on new things. We have begun developing a storyline on the life of Dambudzo Marechera and another piece on Flora Veit Wild.
“In similar fashion with Temaraire, these two productions will hit the stage first followed by their film adaptations. Both productions should be ready next year,” continued Piotrowska.
“Finding Temeraire” is an hour-long two-character stage play set in the small mining town of Mashava. After serving a 25-year-jail sentence for the grisly murder of her newly born child, a woman must face the man that made her pregnant before she can face the world.
“She travels to the small mining town where they both lived and worked, only to find that the man is in a bad state, just like this once flourishing mining town.
