By Patience Kutadzaushe
When one hears of the words “tozeza baba”, they hum the song by the late music icon Oliver Mtukudzi.
However, of late, social media is awash with posters announcing the forthcoming movie Tozeza Baba, which is set to be premiered on December 18 at Ster Kineor Joina City at 3pm.
Standard Style reporter Patience Kutadzaushe (PK) caught up with the director of the movie Oscar Lwalwe (OL), who spoke about the inspiration behind the movie and challenges faced during its production.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
PK: Many people have heard about the upcoming movie. We would like to congratulate you on the movie that will be premiered on December 18. Tell us a bit about Tozeza Baba.
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OL: Tozeza Baba, to me is a social lifestyle movie, which has a story of a boy who tries to develop his father’s bottle selling business by selling them on the internet. Mufaro, the boy, fears his father since he acts brutal to him, his mother and little sister as well as people in the community. The film looks at many aspects such as epilepsy, gender-based violence, innovations, family and love in relationships.
PK: What inspired you to come up with the movie idea?
OL: My inspiration for this film comes in many ways, even personal experiences too. The whole idea came about when some people witnessed fathers in some societies not relating very well with their children, especially sons. Fathers create their own expectations to their sons and how they should shape their lives. I might not have existed in the old ages, but modernisation has changed a lot of aspects such as sons carrying on the father’s legacies or inheritance. Many fathers try to earn respect in their homes through brutality and violence. The idea of empowering women and children in societies also inspired me.
PK: In connection with the 16 Days of Activism, how do you relate your movie?
OL: The father (Joseph) in the movie is violent to his wife and children. This is an element which needs to be looked at in families and protest against violence in families. Some men use violence as a way of earning dominance.
PK: What are the challenges that you encountered in the production?
OL: Film makers have challenges or lack platforms to sell or showcase their films for profit. We are not all privileged to attend film schools for knowledge which most of us lack. The biggest resource is knowledge, cameras, lights and sounds comes second. We lack facilities such as television stations to buy what we make. Most of us depend on Youtube which is for those who can afford to buy. We lack funds to produce quality products. We lack award ceremonies for films only, just like the Oscars Awards and British Academy Film Awards. If we can have these, it will create motivation for films production, since we will be recognised.
PK: What is your advice to other film makers or the people in general?
OL: I would like to advise film makers that a film is an artwork but in motion. You can create a painting with limited paint or brushes, but what matters more is the knowledge and technique to make that painting look impressive. Film makers must know that we are not on the wrong path, this is our journey, it is just different from others.
PK: Tickets, are they still available and where do people get them?
OL: Tickets for Tozeza Baba, the movie, are available from the producers. Contact them on 0719839003/0782323552. It’s a race and I promise everyone will enjoy.