Slimaz drops ‘Hakata’ Season 2

Dennis Chimanzi

TALENTED filmmaker and videographer Willard Magombedze — affectionately known as Slimaz in the arts industry — has dropped season two of “Hakata”.

The production is now available on his YouTube channels and is also showing on television. Slimaz reckons the series is pregnant with lessons pertaining to our traditions.

“I have noticed that current film productions are not teaching the younger generation about our culture. We have been heavily compromised by foreign influences,” said the founder of Slimaz Production.

“This production and many others that we will be releasing in future are aimed at addressing that challenge.”

Slimaz rose to fame with his drama “Tunga” that was aired on national television.

The production won the hearts of many as it aptly captured the local traditional culture. The filmmaker said it was his hope to export some of his projects.

“We first have to appreciate our culture before others do. I prioritise tradition and hope my productions will help fight negative foreign influences,” he said.

“We must export our cultural products so as to convincingly tell our story. We should not only be recipients of other people’s cultural products.”

He urged his colleagues in the industry to be innovative.

“Productions have to capture attention for them to have an impact. But this is only possible when the creators think outside the box. We have to constantly refresh existing concepts.”

Slimaz reckons it is easy for locals to export their cultural products since we receive thousands of foreign visitors annually through tourism.

“Our country is a famous tourist destination, so it is wise to invest heavily in the production of cultural products so that we can sell to the visitors. At times, there is no need to travel abroad for business; there is also a ready market here. Those who have visited the majestic Victoria Falls have seen the number of cultural products on sale there.”