The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe Leisure Correspondent
FOR a long time, the local film sector was not doing well with very few productions coming out, but 2016 brought about a great turnaround.
Last year can be likened to the beginning of the great renaissance period, as there were numerous high quality productions with amazing story lines produced.
This momentum has spilled into 2017 as players in the sector have hit the ground running — dropping some thrilling productions.
Among those burning the midnight candle to ensure the sector grows to match and even surpass other arts genres such as music is award-winning director, Joe Njagu, who is finalising the script for “Lobola 2”.
“We are about to do ‘Lobola 2’, the movie, in a bid to honour the late veteran actress, Pretty Xaba,” said the film director and scriptwriter, Njagu.
“So we are set to begin shooting soon with the same gang blazing the screen. There are some new twists to the comedy movie, which is set in two countries, Zimbabwe and Canada, where Sean Muza (Munya Chidzonga) and his wife in part one of the movie had moved to and they now have to get back to Zimbabwe for his mother-in-law’s funeral. At the same time one of his brothers, TBone (Tonderai Hakuna), is getting married,” revealed Njagu.
“Lobola 2”, like Njagu’s 2016 award-winning movie “Escape”, will have a star-studded cast which includes the likes of Eddie Sandifolo, Sean Curtis, Jingo James, James Joni, Dalma Chiwereva, Rumbidzo Zhou, Teddy Mangava, and Alice Makaya.
Munya Chidzonga, one of the stars of “Lobola”, which was Zimbabwe’s first comic feature film, confirmed the return of the film and that they are still developing the script.
“Right now we are developing the script for “Lobola 2”. The story begins where the last one left off. So Sean Muza and his wife have come back to Zimbabwe for a funeral. The rest is still in development but it is going to be off the hook,” he said.
Chidzonga said his team always had plans for a sequel.
“The plan to do a part 2 was always there. The idea was cemented by fans who insisted on us making a second one. It just seemed like the right time to develop the second film. The process of film making is organic so when it feels right its right,” he said. Chidzonga also highlighted that fire and passion to develop the local film sector has kept him going despite the challenges filmmakers face in the country.
“The fire and passion I have for developing the local and regional film industry is equalled only by my will to see it succeed. I believe that I will not allow my environment to influence or deter me from my dreams. Come hell or high water, you got to stay positive and count your blessings. My family is an unceasing source of strength, for which I am eternally grateful,” highlighted Chidzonga. “Lobola”, was initially a seven-minute short film centred on bride price and culture clashes, it was later developed into a full-length feature film that scooped numerous awards, locally and internationally.
