Tafadzwa Muzondo’s short film Hanya Naani? 1 is a reverting story of how non-conformity to changing life dictates the tragic end for some people.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
The film, taken from the artist’s Workplace Threatre production with the same title, was screened last week for a small audience that included the media, for a review before the final cut.
In the story, the protagonist, a fun-loving Lovejoy — a qualified electrician — fails to take advice given on positive living after getting infected with HIV.
Despite all the advice given by friends, he continues to sleep around until he dies of Aids.
The film is a theatre play transformed into film, thereby enhancing creativity as the directing captures different aspects and gives a lot of attention to detail.
Technical director of the film, Marian Kunonga said she found it very easy to work with theatre actors for the film.
“I just stood there watching the action and shooting. It was not difficult at all for the actors to remember their lines and the dialogue ran smoothly,” said Kunonga.
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Choice of music compliments storyline
In the film, Lovejoy disregards the importance of HIV and Aids programmes without realising that the attitude compromises his efficiency at work.
Following a fierce argument with his workmate Clever after he accuses him of labelling him an infected person, Lovejoy starts hallucinating about his numerous escapades with various women resulting in him touching a naked live wire.
After the incident he becomes seriously ill but denial leads him to accuse his pensioner father of bewitching him.
The protagonist’s role is expertly executed by award-winning Everson Ndlovu whose presentation is superb.
Muzondo double casts as Clever Mutasa (Lovejoy’s father) while Ndlovu casts as Lovejoy and Mudhara Kede Banda, a Malawian.
The other two characters in the three-man six-character film are played by James Jingo Mukwindidza who plays Vhuramayi, a neighbour to Mutasa and Lovejoy’s supervisor at work.
Compliments should go to the make-up artist who did an excellent job in transforming the characters although there are a few apparent glitches.
The costume designer also did a good job while the storyline is touching and is complemented by the music chosen for the three scenes of the film.
Music used includes Oliver Mtukudzi’s Ronga Dondo, Brezhnev Guveya’s Dzimbahwe and Sithabile Mahubaba’s Nyarara.
The theatrical and cinematographical fusion is expected to be ready for the market by month-end but Muzondo said they would first take it to different stakeholders who may be interested in working with it. “From the feedback we have had from the experts who have watched it, I think it is vital we engage different stakeholders due to its international appeal,” said Muzondo.
He said they would now be working the final cut basing on the contributions made by different experts as well as purring subtitles.
