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ZIMBABWEAN film producer, Stephen Mutsago, has combined forces with Zambian and Mozambican film-makers to come up with a movie titled “Comrade” based on the liberation struggle.
Mutsago, a police officer by profession, said working with other filmmakers — Abel Silungwe (Zambia) and Sergio Barta (Mozambique) — was beneficial.
He created the storyline and Joseph Dzatsata wrote the screenplay.
The film is set for a premiere at the end of next month at Skyview Conference Centre in Mutare.
“The idea of the storyline, both creatively and technically, was to foster a spirit of oneness among ourselves as Africans, as such we had to work as a team.
“The reason why we chose Zambia and Mozambique is because of the bilateral relations that have existed, dating back to the colonial era, when Zimbabwe had to train its cadres in those neighbouring countries.
“I felt like the Zimbabwean film industry is struggling to grow with lack of support and the absence of sound film policies while our neighbours are doing pretty good.
“Just like in the war times, we need each other, it’s like the incarnation of the liberation struggle manifesting in film,” he said.
He believes that working with Zambia and Mozambique will help the local industry up the game creatively and technically.
“We even used filming gear from Zambia since ours was a bit outdated.
“The main idea is the importance of our liberation war veterans.
“They are still in a capacity to build and defend our societies.
“Their ideas and expertise are still of importance both in politics and socio economic activities.
“With the film ‘Comrade’ we are celebrating these heroes, remembering the fallen, as well.
“We had one actress from Zambia (Penelope Chindolo) who played the role of Gamu.
“In order to relate to our neighbouring country Zambia we had to allow her to use Tonga and Nyanja.”
He added:
“The strength of our collaboration was on the crew.
“We have two directors (Abel Silungwe and myself), 02 DOPs that are Sergio Bata Mozambique and Sam Johannes (Zambia).
“The head producer is a seasoned local filmmaker and producer Albert Braun Charichafa who had his team of other producers namely Choolwe Kayumbilwa (Zambia), Enipher Murewa (Zimbabwe).
“We also had a seasoned production manager Carol Dzimwasha Zimbabwe deputised by Tiffany Kutsirai.
“The sound engineer was Adjant Handreck (Zimbabwe Eastlife Entertainment Studios),” said Mutsago.
The story is about Comrade, a liberation war veteran who used the common guerrilla warfare tactics to curb the cattle rustling dilemma that had hit the local village.
The society had hopes on him by virtue of him having served in the national army with vast knowledge and defence and security tactics.
“We did not get funding for this film, 50 percent of the budget came from myself as the executive producer while the other 50 percent was a collaborative effort of the producers, each coming up with a certain part, our foreign brothers also had a part to play to make sure the budget was met.
“It took us a month to produce the film, including pre-production and shooting. We are now in post-production.
“The film was shot in Honde Valley, Kwesha Village and Mutarazi Forest.”
Mutsago produced the film Vicious Circle in 2020, directed Smoking Gun Season 1 in 2022 for ZBC TV.
He also directed five short films and most of his recent film is a feature titled Lobengula.
He pleaded with the Government for support.
“With COMRADE I am pleading with the government to support us as we are very patriotic about owning the African story, marketing our country and also growing the economy through film.
“It’s feasible to have the Zim film Industry contributing to economic growth if we are given the platform as film makers.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter