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Bruce Ndlovu
After tantalising local audiences with some erotic scenes last year, the Selmor Mtukudzi-powered Zimbabwean movie, Escape, has failed the test in Zanzibar, after it was stopped from airing in that country because of some of its scenes which were deemed inappropriate.
The filma��s scheduled showing at the prestigious Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) was stopped at the 11th hour, after the powers-that-be at the film showcase felt that some of the steamy scenes in the film crossed the lines of decency.
Bringing thousands of visitors to Zanzibar each year, ZIFF is one of the largest multi-disciplinary art and cultural festivals in Africa. It exhibits films from Africa, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, USA and Asia.
The 20th edition of ZIFF started on Saturday last week and runs until 16 July.
According to showbiz website Gemnation, the festivala��s directors were happy to keep the film in the running for the main competition, although it would not be shown on its screens because of the erotic content in it.
a�?Escape is a cinematic achievement and it shows what can be done when a creative collaboration across cultures works well.
a�?The film is a very special piece of work and I am sure the festival director is happy to have it, the controversy around erotic scenes notwithstanding,a�? said the festivala��s chairman Martin Mhando.
This is not the first time that the movie has stirred the horneta��s nest. Eyebrows were raised about the scenes involving Selmor Mtukudzi and Jose Marques, as some thought they broke some taboos in Zimbabwean film where sex scenes between couples are a rarity.
The film also received criticism from Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe (WFOZ), who felt that it continued the film tradition of portraying women as sex objects.
Online Reporter