Bulawayo writer spreads wings

AMBITIOUS Bulawayo-based writer Kudakwashe Takundwa has spread his wings into filmmaking after discovering the thrill that comes with working behind the scenes.

AMBITIOUS Bulawayo-based writer Kudakwashe Takundwa has spread his wings into filmmaking after discovering the thrill that comes with working behind the scenes.

MILTON SITHOLE OWN CORRESPONDENT

Takundwa, who is famously known as KT in entertainment circles, has a passion for the arts and culture.

His writing abilities saw him being named among outstanding 20 writers from around the globe in the 2013 Global Dialogue writing contest.

In that same year, he wrote the short film Vevani which received a National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) nomination.

He has done projects with Zimbabwe Open University students as an actor, including the short Isono Sami by Nigel Ndlovu.

He is the managing editor and founder of Urban Culxure magazine, an online publication founded last year.

Speaking to Southern Eye Lifestyle, Takundwa said his first love and passion is writing and his work had paved the way for him into the film sector.

“I have been working on my art as a writer,” Takundwa said.

“It is my first love. As I was building my dream of writing, I met different people and ended up acting, which was good. However, my passion now is behind the scenes.

“Previous productions I have done include The Bicycle Thief in which I was both actor and crew assistant.”

The 24-year-old talented artiste said he first ventured into film in 2010.

“I started film in 2010, but it was very tough for me because I knew no one and I was just moving from one audition to another,” he said.

“I got my first break in a short film, although it never made waves and it was followed by The Bicycle Thief in 2011.”

Takundwa endured and his persistence saw him co-producing the soon to premiere Qiniso with Philani A Nyoni and Thubelihle Moyo.

The film was written and directed by Lenni Mdawini for Yasibo Media and is about a journalist who investigates the death of a Bulawayo lawyer murdered by someone close to him. His wife, cousin and younger brother have their own versions of what might have happened.

“It’s a piece of art, unique and creative with talented and passionate young people who show their creative side in a different and exciting way. It’s is a must-watch for everyone,” he said of Qiniso.

Takundwa is excited about the future of the local film industry and hopes it will grow.

“The future looks bright, but we need good storylines that can sell beyond Zimbabwe,” he said. “We should pour in a lot of creativity into our work and work on collaborations.

“Let’s work together despite geographical location or language. If we can work on that, there is no limit; we have good stories, but they lack people who can work on them.”

He advised people not to venture into the film industry for fame or some celebrity moment, warning that this could only be determined by time.

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