admin
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka TV Column
It is another week and I pray that you are all well. First things first, Big Brother Africa is back although yours truly still thinks it would have been better if Endemol South Africa had cancelled this year’s edition dubbed Hotshots.
Of course, the reason being that there isn’t time for such a reality show.
The full length reality show takes about three months but after fire gutted Sasani Studios, the traditional venue, they cut this year’s edition to just 63 days.
Secondly, they pre-empted the show by revealing the housemates which killed the thrill that comes on the day of the launch.
And I foresee panic in the house as there is going to be marathon evictions. There is not enough time for housemates to learn and know each other.
What this means is that housemates would be acting for the cameras without showing viewers their true colours.
In other words the whole thing is fake.
And then Zimbabwe which has over the years been a strong contender in the show took off to a rather not so convincing start.
JJ’s act was good and unique in his own way but then there was something wrong with Butterphly’s opening act.
She lacked that sting which unfortunately is synonymous with her show on radio.
But let’s not rule her out of the game after all the show is based on popularity votes and if she survives the chopping board this weekend then we are home and dry.
Still on Big Brother, it was great to see former Zimbabwean housemates Wendall Parsons and Hakeem Mandaza at the launch.
Elsewhere, the Zimbabwe International Film Festival opened with a classy act, “Camarada Presidente” directed by Zimbabwean filmmaker Mosco Kamwendo.
The film is based on the real life controversy surrounding the death of Samora Moises Machel, a village boy who rises to become a daring guerilla strategist and liberator. It screened to critical acclaim.
What makes it so poignant is that Machel is not depicted as an unrealistic hero but a real man with love interests and political rivals.
ZIFF has always been the yardstick for quality filmmaking in Zimbabwe and it produces a number of interesting short films, animation, Zimbabwe calabash shorts and feature films.
These films are produced each year but they don’t make it on our national broadcaster,ZBCTV.
And yet it is ZIFFT’s vision of becoming “a society that enjoys and celebrates a dynamic film culture.”
Consequently, according to Nigel Munyati, who is the founder and executive director , ZIIFT primary ad most critical mission is to support the creation of a viable and sustainable film industry.
For instance, we have films such as “Ndodzokera Here Kujeri?”, “Tichaona”, “My Dream” and “From Rural to Ramp” that have been produced for ZIFF 2014 but surprisingly we don’t get to watch them on the small screens.
Another important aspect is for both ZIFFT and the ZBCTV to forge an alliance whereby the national broadcaster screens films made by ZIFF for a wider audience.
There is enough content coming from ZIFF and ZBCTV should make use of that good stuff. It should not take ages for the two organisations to come together and put those signatures on paper.
However, I am told it will come down to the issue of money.
But money has always been there since ZBCTV viewers pay their licenses.
In fact, ZBCTV can commission ZIFF to produce films on its behalf so that each year when the festival comes there is always new stuff on television.
One good thing about ZIFFT is that it has a catalogue of films which have been produced over the years and there is no way they would not satisfy the local market.
Until next week remember this is television and its real.
Feedback: [email protected]
Online Reporter