PRODUCERS of the forthcoming feature film titled Chinhoyi 7, which chronicles the Battle of Chinhoyi that ignited the Second Chimurenga in 1966, are in Chinhoyi today where there are expected to film the war scenes of the movie.
WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
Speaking to NewsDay, on behalf of the film director,the production assistant Paul Mutseyekwa said they were pleased with the shooting progress which he described as going according to plan.
“Tomorrow (today), warplanes will fly over mountains in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, and gunshots will be heard in the forests in a ‘repeat’ of the Chinhoyi Battle as we will be filming the war scenes of the movie,” Mutseyekwa said.
“We have already shot some of scenes in Concession, Mashonaland Central, Harare central business district and Mufakose mainly showing the brutality that was happening in urban areas and farms between blacks and whites during the war era, but the main scenes of the real battle will be shot tomorrow (today).”
Mutseyekwa said the film was meant to correct misconceptions about the country’s liberation struggle by telling the story from a Zimbabwean angle.
“Chinhoyi 7 is a Zimbabwean project which is aimed at articulating the true history of the country through a film as we believe there are various stories of national interest which are yet to be told by way of movies,” Mutseyekwa said.
“The content of the film would also help to market the nation as a safe tourist destination and correct wrong images that have been portrayed by the Western media.”
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The film is being shot using latest technology at different sites of the country to portray different events of the war that include Domboshava, Victoria Falls, Mutarazi Falls and other tourist destinations.
The two-hour-long film which will feature actors, Julian Shaw from Britain and Cynthia Stone both from Canada, is being directed by Zimbabwean international film maker Moses Matanda.
The film will also feature gospel singer Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave as Sarudzai, a housemaid working at a Rhodesian army general’s house, poet Albert Nyathi as the late uMdala Wethu Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Edmore Sandiforo, popularly known as Chabvonga in the television drama series, Tiriparwendo.
This will be Fungisai’s debut role in a movie.
All is set to be seen whether the producers of the film will release it on time after missing their intended month of August as they wanted the release to coincide with Heroes’ Day commemorations.
