It’s always good to hear positive stories coming out of countries racked by political and
economic crises. Here is news of vibrant filmic activity in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean director / producer Stephen Chigorimbo recently completed shooting his
new local thriller, Depraved.
“This is a ground breaking movie in terms of technical quality. I believe it is a notch
above the usual bland productions that come out of Africa,’ says Chigorimbo.
Depraved was recently previewed in Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare and has created a big
buzz locally. It also sees Chigorimbo’s long awaited return to the big screen as an actor.
Many local cinema goers will welcome seeing Chigorimbo, who rose to popularity from his
performances in Zimbabwe’s longest running soap, Studio 263, where he starred as the
original Mr Huni.
Entirely funded by the cast and crew in what Chigorimbo describes as “a unique formula
developed by the producers’, Depraved will certainly uplift the bleak mood prevalent in
the local film industry. There has been a lack of private and public support for the
industry, which has also been affected by the country’s economic melt-down.
At 115 minutes long, Depraved stars emerging talents like Angeline Ngorima, (Millicent)
alongside leading television and film actor Admire Maramba (Steven) and Chigorimbo as
Mr Banda.
This romantic thriller will keep film audiences glued to the screen with the message that
people should not get carried away by their emotions. On the first day Millicent sets her
eyes on Steven, she decides she wants him. The problem, however, is that Steven has
paid lobola and plans to marry Natasha (Netsai Mavhunga).
Shot entirely in Harare over four weeks for $100 000 (R672 000), the film was written
by Admire Maramba, directed by Chigorimbo and produced by both of them in co-
production with Mighty Movies. Chigorimbo’s Africa Sun Pictures is the production
company.
Launch dates have been slated for May / June this year in Harare with distribution plans
under the auspices of Afriwood, a new distribution company that aims to promote
African stories. The Zimbabwe-based Afriwood works closely with nine other countries
that cover all regions in Africa – east, west, north and south.
According to Chigorimbo the Afriwood brand is supported by the continental film body
FEPACI. As head of FEPACI’s Southern Africa Region operation, Chigorimbo says that
Afriwood intends to create new ways to distribute film. They will also lobby African
broadcasters to favour the airing of African films, for example, by the continent’s major
broadcasters like the SABC.
Depraved also unites Chigorimbo and Maramba who worked together in the soap Estate
Blues, produced by Maramba, as well as a television series that did well in the country a
few years ago. It follows the release in Zimbabwe of two other local films, Lobola and
Playing Warriors.
