BY SHARON SIBINDI
BULAWAYO film director Dumie Manyathela says they are ecstatic after their production — Veza: The Unfolding was nominated for the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AVMCA) in the Best Movie (Southern Africa) category.
Veza The Unfolding is an action-packed thriller, which follows the lives of a police force in Bulawayo. It was premiered in November last year and was produced by Rodney Mabaleka, directed by Dumie Manyathela and written by Laura Bonginkosi.
“The team and I are truly grateful for the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards nomination, for that we owe it all to God,” Manyathela told Standard Style.
“This kind of recognition, adds value to us as a team and boosts our profiles and resumes.
“We believe that it has brought back confidence in the film and television industry not only in Bulawayo, but in Zimbabwe at large as it is seen as a benchmark in the industry and validation from African veteran industry professionals.”
He said his hope was that the corporate world would start believing and taking a leap of faith on investing in the film and television industry.
“I believe we are a living testament of the great potential we have in telling authentic, cinematic Zimbabwean stories to the world,” he said.
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“My hope is that the corporate world start believing and taking a leap of faith on investing in the film and television industry.
“Veza: The Unfolding is an action-packed thriller that follows the lives of the police force in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
“The police force’s energies are driven towards a crime ring centered around an ambitious young undercover recruit, Detective Mxolisi Moyo.
“He investigates a high-profile case which opens the Pandora’s Box. Some shocking conspiracies are unveiled.”
He said his love for action inspired him to do the production among others.
“Well, basically the inspiration behind doing Veza was my love for action, and the overwhelming urge to tell a Zimbabwean action-thriller story,” Manyathela said.
“Concept and story was birthed in 2018 with Laura Bonginkosi who’s also the scriptwriter and production manager for the film.
“It is a collaboration of an amazing, passionate team that consisted of both the cast and crew that contributed immensely towards the narrative of the story.
“Everyone came out of their comfort zones and discovered untapped skills and talents during the production. Who new that our lead actor Calvin Madula could do fight choreography? or the scriptwriter having potential to be a film producer one day? We are excited to see what they have in store for us in the near future.”
He said the themes that enveloped the film were greed, desire and corruption.
“With characters and the story being invented and fictionalised, the whole purpose of this African story is to bring about awareness on corruption as well as to promote social change and fight corruption through the use of entertainment,” Manyathela said.
“The awards ceremony will be held in Lagos, Nigeria.
“When it comes to award ceremonies, film festivals and any other film prestigious award, one can either submit their work or someone makes an entry submission of your work or you as the artist.
“It is then left to the panel of judges who will then select the final shortlist of nominees, which they are confident they embody the excellence the awards are renowned for.”
Veza: The Unfolding will battle for honours with Hairareb directed by Dantagos Jimmy-Melani, Black Dollar directed by David Kazadi and Maria Kristu directed by Paul S Willow.
