Online Reporter
Laura Maposa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
BRITISH screenwriter and film director, Jessica J Rowlands, said her new movie titled “Rise,” which features Zimbabwean actor Tongayi Chirisa, is currently being shown on the New York circus in the United States.
Chirisa plays Tobias in the movie, which was released recently.
Rowlands who spent his childhood alternating between staying in London and Victoria Falls.
Rise tells the story of a young boy growing up in a Zimbabwean township who finds an unexpected mentor in a local boxer.
“The movie is about resilience, belief and becoming the person you wanted to be when you were younger.
“At its core, is a story about being seen and the transformative power of someone showing up for you, no matter the odds.”
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Jessica said Zimbabwe has always occupied a special corner in her heart.
“Rise was the most creatively fulfilling and logistically demanding experience of my life.
“We filmed entirely in Zimbabwe, with an all-African cast and crew and fought hard for every frame.
“From capturing rare cinematic angles of Victoria Falls to shooting on the streets where the true story unfolded, the whole process was a labour of love,” said Rowlands.
She said this was her first film as a director although she has been a screenwriter for several years.
“Authenticity was non-negotiable. We cast the exceptional Zimbabwean actor Tongayi Chirisa to play Tobias, and for the role of the young boy, I led an extensive search across schools in Zimbabwe.
“I found Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, an eight-year-old who lived just 100 metres from Tobias’ gym.
“He had never acted before but I trained him intensively and his raw, emotionally honest performance became the heartbeat of the film.
“Working with both trained and first-time actors created a powerful balance and it kept the performances grounded and alive.”
Rowlands was born in the UK to parents who moved to Hwange, Zimbabwe, in 1984.
“RISE is my directorial debut but l’ve been working as a screenwriter for a number of years. Directing this film felt like a natural evolution, especially for a story so close to my heart.
“It’s inspired by my close friend Tobias Mupfuti, who runs a community boxing gym in Victoria Falls.
“His journey, from surviving hardship to becoming the kind of role model he wanted to be as a child, moved me deeply.
“I grew up between London and Zimbabwe, and I’ve always wanted to honour the beauty, complexity, and emotional texture of Zimbabwe on screen. RISE is the culmination of that lifelong pull.
“Zimbabwe has very little film infrastructure so we had to make a plan every single day. But what we lacked in resources, we made up for in creativity and heart.
“One of our biggest challenges was filming a key scene on a moving train – there hadn’t been any since COVID.
“Our producer, Joe Njagu, somehow made it happen, even if it meant a 22-hour round trip in a 44-seater truck for just one scene.”
