adminEdwin Nhukarume
FORMER Tiriparwendo series actor, Pepukai Magaya, reckons the Zimbabwe film industry needs an identity.
Magaya believes the local film industry has the potential to experience a boom since Zimbabwe has the personnel and a good environment for a boom. In an interview with H-Metro, Magaya said there should be financial policies that promote the industry like in other countries.
“The Government must also introduce a 25 percent policy on arts like what is done by Iceland.
“Visual artists, musicians and film-makers must be taxed 25 percent so that the Government may have the money to fund film-makers and artists. Right now, as I am speaking, in Iceland they are funding foreign artists with 25 percent from taxes.
“I am thinking of relocating to Iceland due to the 25 percent policy.”
Magaya said if the film industry needs to make an impact, it should preserve the local culture.
“In an American film there’s no American citizen who loses the battle.
“The Stars and Stripes flag is seen waving as a sign of patriotism. We should also insert Zimbabwean values in our films. In France, Spain, Italy and Romania they respect their art, sculptor, architecture, beauty and designs on their films.
“And, in Britain they speak their language and traditions in their films,” he said.
The actor, however, said the local film industry has a brighter future.
“Zimbabwe has a future in the film industry because we have many different locations for filming. Our weather is very good for filmmaking in the sense that it doesn’t go to extreme heat waves, rain or cold like other countries in the world.
“We have actors, writers, producers, directors and cameramen based in South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand and when they return home they will be able to open film studios and this will boost the future of our industry,” he told H-Metro. Magaya is also a scriptwriter and he has featured in at least 10 films as an actor.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter