The most awaited movie of 2014 has been given the greenlight and is finally being released in Bulawayo. Qiniso features some of Bulawayo’s fiercest talents such as Lady Tshawe, Boky Enn, Anelisi Maliki, Philani A Nyoni, Thorne, Arthur Makoane, Gilmore T Moyo, Leroy M. Ndlovu and Henne Nkalanga.
The feature film was written and directed by Lenny Mdawini Sibanda, who until now has done short films, most notably She and Him which was well received in Germany. Mdawini is very confident the movie will do well, the producers have partnered with Rainbow Theatres to give it a full two-week run beginning on the 7th of February up to the 21st .
Mdawini said working with the talent was a delightful experience, “Despite any reality, when you work with the depth of passion and skill that I saw on that set, anything is possible.” Mdawini expressed profound gratitude to the crew and cast, and said the cinematographic skills of Bulawayo celebrity photographer Ernest Mackina went a long way in shaping the final product.
Qiniso is a uniquely Bulawayo project, not only in the setting but the entire cast and crew is from the City of Kings. The original score for the movie features the vocal talents of rapper Mcpotar, Jahbue, acappela mainstay Powerhouse Music who collaborated with Philani A Nyoni on an accapella and spoken word musical piece.
The story is about a journalist, played by Bokky Enn, a former model who was Miss Bulawayo Second Princess in 2012. She investigates the death of a Bulawayo lawyer, Nkosana Dube, played by celebrated wordsmith Philani A Nyoni who is murdered by someone close to him. His wife, played by Anne Maliki, a fashion designer (Litso) who happens to be the daughter of the legendary cartoonist Boyd Maliki, the wife’s cousin, played by Nomatshawekazi Damasane (aka Lady Tshawe) and his young brother have their own versions of what happened, couple that with the investigating detective’s (played by the prolific Leroy M Ndlovu) version and Sigidi’s, a nyanga and you have a cauldron of drama.
What can audiences expect? “Something different. Qiniso is a non-linear story, it borders on the fringes of art-house productions. Of course we had challenges, but the audience doesn’t care about those, the audience wants what they paid for: quality. We can guarantee that anyone who pays their $3 to watch it will probably want to catch another showing!”
The official premier will be at the Rainbow cinema at Bulawayo Centre on the seventh. Exclusively for that night, the cast and crew will be present to interact with the audience over cocktails and speak about the movie after a screening. As a bonus, there will be a special screening of an excerpt from Jane The Ghost, an upcoming film by the same media house. Tickets for the launch-night are available at the cinema for $5, but will retail for $3 for the duration of the run.
