adminTinashe Kusema
Film Review
IT is estimated that more than 300 elephants were killed by poachers between 2016 and 2019 for their tusks, which are a hot commodity on the Asian black market.
In December 2017, immigration officials intercepted over 200kg of ivory at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
A kilogramme of ivory costs as much as US$1 500 on the black market.
This makes illegal ivory trade a profitable venture despite the hefty jail sentence it attracts.
There are fears that poaching activities could be much higher since cases take time to detect.
As such, there is need for aggressive anti-poaching awareness campaigns.
Film and other forms of art are an easy vehicle to push such agendas.
I have always wondered why our filmmakers do not latch onto this topical issue and come up with a compelling story.
But, I was so relieved last week when the long-awaited and award-winning movie “Gonarezhou — The Movie” was released.
The wait was worth it!
The anti-poaching awareness film, which was written and directed by Sydney Taivavashe, premièred at the Raintree, in what could possibly be the closest I will ever come to a proper red carpet movie début.
Yes, over the years, there have been many pretenders, but kudos to Tapiwa Mukoti and her team for a unique and truly unforgettable experience.
The outdoor viewing — aboard Toyota-sponsored pick-up trucks — made for a unique experience.
Gonarezhou tells the story of Zulu (Eddie Sandifolo), a once aspiring musician-cum-poacher who decides to tell his life story and poaching experience to a nationwide audience live on radio.
Upon hitting rock bottom after his music career floundered, he is tasked to find money for his dying mother.
A chance encounter with a wealthy businessman turns his life around both in a good and bad way.
Once invited into the life of poaching, Zulu falls in love with a commercial sex worker, Thulo (Tendaiishe Chitima).
She, like Zulu, is forced into the profession by unfavourable circumstances.
The two try to delicately balance their fledgling romance and dodging law enforcers.
Forgive me for some little nitpicking.
At one point, Zulu appears to move from what looks like a hospital bed and is transported to a radio studio.
The motive was for him to tell the ugly side of poaching, something that is negated by his life story.
Instead, the script writer seems to sympathise with Zulu, painting him as a victim instead of a criminal.
Also, a little more effort should go into realism.
That said, I enjoyed the movie more than I thought I would.
Probably it was because I went to the première with little knowledge about the production.
When you go for the movie, do not just do so for the Thulo/Zulu romance, but also for the commentary on poaching.
I am happy to report that almost every member of the cast puts up some top-notch performances.
Sandifolo is arguably one of the most recognisable faces in the Zimbabwe film industry.
His exploits, particularly as the central character, could very well be Zimbabwe’s answer to Kevin Hart.
By comparing him to the renowned Hart, I mean the time will come when he is the most sought-after actor in the country.
Predication or prophesy? You be the judge!
Chitima and Taivavashe deserve special mention for their solid performances.
The film has already earned rave reviews and accolades internationally, with the most notable being Taivavashe winning the award for Best First Feature Narrative at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival in Los Angeles earlier this year.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter