Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ZIMBABWEAN author-turned-filmmaker Amos Chinodakufa, the mastermind behind the movie “The Kairos 5,” has revealed the obstacles he faced to bring his vision to the big screen.
The film, which has since gained international recognition and is now streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video, was shot on a shoestring budget using guerrilla-style tactics.
Shot over two months in Johannesburg, Chinodakufa wrote the script for “The Kairos 5” in just 10 days.
The Kairos 5, follows a group of men involved in a high-stakes heist that spirals out of control when their wealthy target unexpectedly dies in their custody, plunging them into a dangerous web of deceit.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Chinodakufa said the journey was marked by daily scheduling challenges with actors, whose availability often conflicted, requiring constant adjustments to the production schedule.
“At one point my own vehicle, critical for transporting actors and equipment, exploded mid-production.
“The incident was captured on camera and can be seen on YouTube.
“Despite this setback, we remained undeterred, pouring my heart and soul into the film.”
He self-funded the film, assembling a cast of dedicated volunteer actors who shared his vision.
The film was shot on a single Sony ZV-E10 camera with a kit lens, and Chinodakufa took on multiple roles, including cinematographer, sound engineer and production designer.
“After failing in my first attempt to break into the film industry, I went back to my IT career thinking I’d left film behind for good.
“But some years later I began to be haunted by the fact that I had abandoned the creative gift God had given me.
“So, I then began to up skill through self-study, attending industry conferences, and making short films, after which I then tackled The Kairos 5, a micro-budget feature shot using one single Sony ZV-E10 camera with volunteer actors.”
Chinodakufa’s decision to use the Shona language for dialogue was a deliberate choice, driven by his patriotism and desire to stand out in the crowded global film industry.
“I chose to use the Shona language for dialogue because I am a patriotic Zimbabwean and as a way also of standing out in the crowded global film industry.
“I adapted quickly to low-budget conditions by mastering guerrilla shooting techniques − like creating DIY ND filters from polaroid sunglasses when proper gear wasn’t affordable − and using resourceful editing methods to deliver a reasonably polished feature despite extreme constraints,” he said.
Chinodakufa is the founder of Chinoz Productions, a company focused on producing action-adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, and epic ancient-African films and television shows, most of which will be written and directed by him.
