By Decide Nhendo
A Masvingo based film producer is working on a mainstream film that is set to be a talk of the country when it is going to be premiered as it features a number of prominent local people and interesting settings from Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Speaking to TellZim News, the Speed Thrill film producer Kudakwashe Zoromera said the film was aimed at exploring problems on the African continent like surging organized crimes and corruption. It is inspired by Marcus Garvey’s United States of Africa poem and the rise of organized crime in Africa.
“Speed Thrill is a mainstream film that is going to look deeply into African problems from an African perspective. The film is going to try to investigate the rise of organized crimes on the continent as well as surging corruption cases without answers.
“The film is still at the preproduction stage and is going to be the first mainstream film of its kind, not to look down upon Neria and other films,” said Zoromera.
Zoromera said the main themes in the film included family, Christianity, crime and corruption.
“The film has themes like corruption, family and crime which are deeply rooted within institutions in most of African states,” he said.
Zoromera said through the film, he wanted to advocate for a fight against corruption and drug abuse, to paint a picture of the power of unity to African countries as well as advocate for Ubuntu.
“We want people to be aware of the effects of corruption, drug abuse, power of unity among African countries, and the value of Ubuntu in their lives,” said Zoromera.
Zoromera told this publication that the film features many artists from different artistic disciplines including boxing, athletics, acting, and soccer as well as popular actors who participated in prominent films like Gonarezhou and award-winning veteran actors.
“Actors who are going to act in this film include, international soccer player Ovidy Karuru, world-titled boxer Charles Manyuchi, and multiple gold-winning Elliot Mjaji.
“Award-winning veteran actor Jazz Marabini, Jojola of the Vharazipi fame Chris Kubvedzi, Shaun Taylor who acted on 11 pm, and actresses from Hollywood’s best Pan African award winning Gonarezhou Film.
“Musicians from different music disciplines who include veteran hip hop artist Eddie Clique, award-winning and veteran musician Frank Hari and many other artists.
“Many actors who featured on different TV series like Amakorokoza, Tiriparwendo best theatre actors and actresses like Presley Chweneyagae from Oscar award winner Tsotsi,” said Zoromera.
He said trailer shots are to be shot in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Madagascar.
“Trailer shots are to start in Zimbabwe where we are supposed to have 18 shots in Victoria Falls, Gweru, Masvingo, Harare, Bulawayo, Beitbridge, Birchenough Bridge, and Vumba with other two shots to take place in South Africa and Madagascar,” he said.
People must expect fireworks since the film is centred on people’s emotions with the producer being an experienced artist who has been in the industry since 2011 and experienced actors who have already made it in the film industry.
The film trailer is set to begin in June with production targeted for December but Zoromera said there are many challenges like lack of equipment, and it also being demanding as some sets are to be done in South Africa and Madagascar.
He said for production, nearly US$50 000 to US$80 000 is needed which is quite a huge amount.
The film producer has worked on various works of art including Chikwambo which premiered on ZBC TV and is doing other youth empowerment campaigns, and music production.
Updates on the film can be found on the Speed Thrill Facebook page titled Speed Thrill Film Project Africa and the team is looking forward to creating a website.
