Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu
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FOLLOWING a spectacular launch at Ster-Kinekor cinemas in Harare last month, the award-winning movie, Ngoda is to première in Bulawayo on April 26 at the Academy of Music.
Charles Njagu’s concept for Ngoda the movie, inspired the creation of a narrative about the realm of clandestine diamond mining in Zimbabwe. The narrative is motivated by actual occurrences in Zimbabwe.
Through intense research, and visiting the mining areas, the writing team composed of Charles Njagu, veteran award-winning actors and directors Eddie Sandifolo and Joe Njagu came up with the fictionalised story that gave birth to the movie.
The movie which won the Outstanding screen production full-length film award at this year’s National Arts Merit Awards is set in 2006 when the diamond mining rush started in Zimbabwe.
“. . . to claim back their land, the Toropito brothers have to raise enough money to buy it back forcing them into the illegal diamond mining world. They work for a ruthless diamond dealer who rips them off their finds for low payouts. Tindo, the eldest of the brothers, accidentally finds a big diamond and decides to hide it from everyone, including his brothers and wife.
“The diamond is stolen from Tindo and news of the big stone spreads. The hunt for the diamond is on, but how do you find something that has already been stolen? Greed, betrayal and disloyalty lead to fatal consequences in this dramatic thriller,” reads part of the film’s synopsis.
The film cast is a star-studded ensemble of top Zimbabwean talent which includes Sandifolo, Elijah Madzikatire, Taurai Kawara, Charmaine Mujeri, Caroline Mashingaidze-Zimbizi, Farai Chigudu, Charles Njagu, Dalma Chiwereva, Charity Dlodlo, Lovejoy Mawoneka, Felix Machingambi, Stewart Sakarombe and Chati Butao.
The film was shot in Zimbabwe entirely with popular sites like Dzimbanhete run by Chiko Chazunguza featuring.
The film’s co-director, Joe Njagu said bringing the film to Bulawayo was a must-do and bodes well with the gist of making a film.
“When you make a film, the point of it is to get it seen by the audience. This is us making the effort to bring the film to as many cities as possible. This is also a chance to meet our audience and also for them to meet their celebrity actors as we’ll be touring with them,” Njagu said.
“I’ve been in the film sector for a while now and the big takeaway for me is that our audience is craving good local content. They want to support and watch what we make. We sometimes let them down by not giving them enough,” he said.
After its cinematic première in Bulawayo, the film will be showcased in festivals around the world and is aimed at international releases. — @MbuleloMpofu
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