Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
HIS international breakthrough is a remarkable tale of a rough diamond unearthed in Honde Valley, refined in the United States and polished in Canada.
He has now begun shining on the international stage.
For a quarter of a century, filmmaker, director and actor Moses Matanda has toiled for fame and fortune.
While fortune may still be catching up to his fame, he has, however, remained resilient and focused.
He is now basking in the glory of his latest film, “Chinhoyi 7”, which, as a work of his creative genius, recently received critical acclaim.
The award-winning movie chronicles the story of the seven Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army guerrillas who were the first to fight against the Ian Smith regime, heralding the beginning of the Second Chimurenga, which ushered in Zimbabwe’s independence.
The film, which premiered on March 16, 2018, was sponsored by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Tawanda Sarireni was the producer, while Major (Retired) Special Matarirano was the military adviser.
Last weekend, the movie won four accolades – Best International Film, Best Story, Best Male Actor and Best Producer — at the Rivers International Film Festival that was held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
At home, however, Matanda remains the proverbial prophet who is not accorded the honour he deserves.
The only people genuinely celebrating with him are those in the film sector and his fans.
In a wide-ranging interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, he vowed to change the narrative as he shares his story of resilience and hard work.
“We are very excited about this achievement, which means a lot to us in the film sector,” he said.
Tawanda Matanda (left) in “Call of Duty”, featuring as a Russian soldier.
“I submitted it this year and I was glad when it was nominated for the third Rivers International Film Festival, where we met other producers from France, India and Nigeria.
“After bagging those awards, it became a reality for me that we do not need to look at our poor backgrounds if we are to achieve an international breakthrough.
“For someone who came from Honde Valley, penetrating the world through this production is a life-changing experience to be cherished for years.”
He believes “Chinhoyi 7” has not only thrust Chinhoyi but Zimbabwe onto the world map.
“This triumph was a giant stride towards promoting economic growth through film. Many people around the world are now asking, ‘Where is Chinhoyi and what makes it tick?’
“Some tourists we met in Nigeria have been eager to learn about the place called Chinhoyi, while others want to come and see the famous caves and the sacred site where the Battle of Chinhoyi was fought, near the provincial heroes’ acre.”
Correcting misconceptions
Inspired by the Land Reform Programme at the turn of the new millennium, Matanda, who was already overseas at the time, created “Chinhoyi 7” to correct misconceptions.
“When I was in the United States and Canada studying film, my colleagues were disgruntled about land reform, as they preferred to call it ‘farm invasion’.
“I had to approach my brother-in-law, the late Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Sibusiso Moyo, who also referred me to the current Vice President, General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga, as well as the late President Mugabe, who gave us the green light to start working on it. With all these blessings, we could not afford to fail,” he explained.
With his success being celebrated internationally, many people are eager to know who this man behind the phenomenal movie is.
“I am 55 years old now. I attended Samaringa Primary School in Honde Valley and proceeded to St Augustine’s Mission (kwaTsambe), where I finished high school in 1987.
“From 1989 to 2000, I worked at Air Zimbabwe as a traffic officer before I left for America, where I studied broadcasting and acting until 2010.
“In 2010, I moved to Canada to study Film Art Production and returned home for good in 2015,” he narrated.
Despite spending much of his time overseas, he remained in touch with his family, producing several movies.
In 2006, he starred in the movie “Call of Duty” as a Russian soldier and appeared in the “Prison Break” series between 2007 and 2010.
Matanda was also the co-director of “Dead End”, which premiered in 2015, as well as “Eagles in this Heart”.
He will also be remembered for his role in the anti-stock theft drama “Operation Crocodile”, which was held in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Humble
Despite his proximity to Government officials, Matanda has remained as humble as that village boy from Honde Valley.
“I was groomed to always respect people and make fewer enemies in life, despite being well-connected.
“At the end of the day, one needs to project their name and image.
“For instance, my sister Loyce Matanda-Moyo is the Prosecutor-General and when I am caught offside, she is the one who feels more embarrassed.
“I have learnt not to tarnish my image through misbehaviour.
“I was also close to SB Moyo, but I never took advantage of him to bully people because I did not want to tarnish his image.”
The father of two indicated he had no military training.
“There are some people who think I am a soldier, but to be honest with you, I do not have any military training.
“I learnt those drills from our military adviser, Major Matarirano (Rtd), who guided us from start to finish, and I thoroughly enjoyed it as the main actor, director and scriptwriter.”
Now that he is back home, walking with a spring in his step after winning big in Nigeria, Matanda insists he still has his country at heart.
He also vowed to use film to tell Zimbabwe’s story.
From left: “Chinhoyi 7” producer Tawanda Matanda, Moses Sarireni and military adviser for the film Major ( Retd) Special Matarirano.
“Some people might not value filmmaking, but it remains critical when it comes to storytelling when properly executed.
“We can only succeed in this initiative if the stories are told in the correct manner, and we are here to ensure that we achieve those goals,” he vowed.
“The film industry is more than just entertainment; it is a powerful tool for cultural exchange, understanding and empathy. By sharing authentic stories from different cultures, we break down stereotypes and build bridges between communities.
“Cinema preserves and shares heritage, allowing global audiences to experience and appreciate diverse traditions and histories.”
He also shared the economic benefits of the film industry.
“Culturally diverse films attract a broader audience, leading to increased revenue and global distribution deals.
“Film-induced tourism boosts local economies and international co-productions create jobs and foster skill exchange.
“But beyond the economic impact, the film industry drives creative innovation. The fusion of different cultural perspectives leads to innovative storytelling and access to a global talent pool enriches the creative process.
“Cross-cultural collaborations inspire new genres and styles, pushing the boundaries of what cinema can achieve.”
He also shared the profound social impact of film.
“The social impact of film is significant. It raises awareness on global issues, promotes inclusivity and empowers under-represented communities.
“A country’s film industry can significantly influence its global image, acting as a form of ‘soft power’.
“After several productions, ‘Chinhoyi 7’ will always remain a major success story I have penned to date. It marks my major international breakthrough and reminds people of the power of storytelling.”
Matanda’s prayer is to see a united Zimbabwe that continues to celebrate diverse voices and perspectives, using cinema to build a more empathetic and inclusive world.
Matanda’s fairy tale will certainly empower rural boys to believe they can also make it to the top despite their humble backgrounds.
