Mthabisi Tshuma
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
THE second screening of the Widower scheduled for next week in Harare is set to be followed by a film conversation on how Zimbabwean films can meet the international market.
The conversation, under the theme “Enhancing Zimbabwean Films to Greater Platforms”, will bring together filmmakers, cast crew and members of the public for discussion and networking.
The panelists are Praise Murenje, Kuzivaishe Bayela, Manuel Matsinte, Sam Gondongwe, Tafadzwa Ranganai, Robert Chiyama, Omega Chikaka, Forward Musaamba, Portia Chasi, Mista Brown, Brian Kugara, Oscar Lwalwe and Ray Mtandazo Moyo.
Widower writer Oscar Lwalwe said the second screening is meant to help the industry understand how best Zimbabwean films can meet the international market, while also bringing the film industry together and enforcing collaborations.
“The conversation will help understand how best Zimbabwean films can meet the international market. The screening will bring the film industry together and enforce collaborations amongst us.
“The first premiere was at SK Joina city, last month, which brought filmmakers together again. We were not able to create a discussion from the cast to the public and we felt that some questions have to be answered this is why we are screening it again so that public will have a chance to meet the cast and crew led by the producer Portia Chasi who will be a panelist too.
“Other panelists from the cast and crew of Widower will be Praise Murenje, Samuel Gondongwe, Omega Chikaka, Forward Musaamba and Prosper Seva. The event we assume will be fun and will enforce lots of networking for future projects,” said Lwalwe.
Widower is a powerful exploration of grief, the tension between modern medicine and spiritual faith, and the destructive weight of hidden family secrets.
The film brings together a strong cast, with Malcom played by Praise Murenje, Theresa by Omega Chikaka, Rebecca by Lamia C Muza, Mary by Munashe R Goromonzi, Mr Dhudhu by Mapfumo Katsaya, Tendai by Joice Dutuma, Maidei by Cecilia Simeon, Fiona by Felistous Tizola, and Simba by Samuel Gondongwe.
Behind the scenes, the production team is led by Oscar Lwalwe as executive producer and writer, with Portia R Chasi serving as producer. The technical team includes Foward Musaamba as director of photography and director, Prosper Seva as assistant director and set designer, Wendy Phiri as script supervisor and continuity lead, Dadiso Totohwiyo handling makeup and special effects, Marian Bwititi as costume designer, and Clinton Place as lighting technician and on-set sound recordist.
Producer Chasi said the Chitungwiza-shot film draws from human experiences centred on love, loss and emotional suffering.
“The story was inspired by several life events. The writer witnessed a close friend who lost his wife at a young age, and society expected him to move on quickly simply because he is a man,” she said.
