ILMMAKER Willard “Slimaz” Magombedze’s forthcoming production, Nhodo, follows the storyline of sacred places.
Through camera lenses, Slimaz seeks to remind people that sacred places still exist in the country despite the destruction and building taking place in such places.
The film’s title is derived from nhodo, a traditional African game in the family of draft.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style Slimaz said the film was an epic production that revolved around six teenagers that went into a scary forest in search of a waterfall for a photoshoot. A girl once disappeared in that forest.
The girl, who disappeared troubled the teenagers, forcing them to play nhodo if they wanted to make it out of the forest alive. So, they had to play nhodo or disappear.
Slimaz said he was motivated by stories he heard while growing up of people disappearing in forests, mountains and caves.
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“Resonating with the film Nhodo will be easy since the story we are telling is very common and we decided to tell it through visuals. We want the people of our country to understand that sacred places exist in Zimbabwe although they are destroying these ecosystems,” he said.
Slimaz noted that lessons to be derived from the film are specifically for the young generation to appreciate, respect and acknowledge sacred places and other aspects of African culture.
He said the film also educated people who take things lightly while encouraging young women to be careful around men.
This is depicted in the film when Garikai pursued Panashe to look for Chido with the intention to rape her.
The cast of the film that was shot in Domboshava include Tina Pfumbwa, Sam Zinyemba, Rufaro Masimba, Clive Mtukudzi, Nellisa Mudzengi, Rujeko Chari and Kimberly Ndlovu.