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| Zimbabwean Film Review |
TITLE: “Mayaya:
The Seed of Corruption” is Double the Trouble
Everyone
remembers the movie Sabhuku Vharazipi 2 and the impact it had on the Zimbabwean
community. Perhaps one man in particular
sticks out in your mind… a special man that was there for you to critique. That is what this screen adaptation of David
Dzatsunga’s “Seed of Corruption” conveys in a fun, nostalgic and controversial
kind of way. David revisits the
character ‘Mayaya’ from his play of several years ago, which he created during
his high school teaching days.
Set in the
backdrop of corruption and prosperity gospel that plagues the society, Inspector
Mayaya (Denice Rusoso) is at the helm of operations at a small town police
station. He partners with a ‘man of God’
(Kudakwashe Manhopi) in his quest for significance, power and riches. The usually
careful ‘man of God’ however makes a huge mess of things that makes life
difficult for the Inspector. Mixed up in this mess is a grave digger
(Christopher Kubvedzi) who is a hopeless drunkard but a key witness on a crime
scene that becomes the game changer for things in the small town.
Inspector Mayaya is
outstandingly played by Denice Rusoso, now a household name due to his success
on “Sabhuku Vharazipi 2.” His acting is
very mature and shows shades of emotions very effectively. Christopher Kubvedzi
does a decent job of portraying an underpaid gravedigger, drunkard and abusive husband. Both Kudakwashe Manhopi and Grace Matunhu
exceed normal acting entry level boundaries and pull off the disgraced town pastors
with surprising effectiveness. However it’s the gravedigger’s wife that steals
the show. “Mai Makodhodho” (played by Tsitsi
Magaisa) is the topical woman who alters the fate of the small town. Look for them in more movies, commercials and
TV shows to come. I guarantee you’ll see
them.
Grace Matunhu’s
character (Mai Apostle Mazvimbakupa) is strong, but didn’t get enough screen
time to fully develop. Mayaya’s
friendship with the pastor was never given a chance to develop either, probably
in an effort by the filmmakers to avoid focusing on irrelevant issues. The issue of top level corruption is
addressed, but I feel that juniour officers should have had bigger, more
substantial parts. Also, I didn’t get
the whole subplot with the pastor having bodyguards on a preaching platform and
them also being his handymen for unsanctioned church operations. It seemed like
a fictional part that was slapped on to cause more controversy. Despite these objections, the entire
production was shot so effectively that it seemed that it genuinely conveyed the
general atmosphere of the present day Zimbabwe.
The attention to detail and the accuracy of the issues are
phenomenal. I felt completely immersed
in this world and felt the full effect of this moving story. Even the ‘Karanga’ accents were much better
than average.
The message of
this film is very clear and invokes plenty of approval nods to anyone who can
identify growing up in the present day Zimbabwe. The film revolves around the scourge of
corruption, the religious phase currently characterising the country, and those
who make money through using God’s name and engage in blood sacrifices to
bolster their powers and influence. Dzatsunga
and his creative team are certainly masters at preserving their own experiences
by writing them down for others to enjoy.
I truly believe that this story is his gift, not only to the people of Zimbabwe,
but to all who wish to bring these unholy acts to an end but were too close for
comfort.
The film is
directed by a Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (ZIFTESSA)
graduate Semai T Danha, a 24 year old young woman. It is produced by Magical
Films, a strong movie production house based in Masvingo.
Most films geared
for the general audience these days depend on lame, pop-culture references and
gas-passing jokes in a patronizing attempt to entertain the younger
masses. This movie rises above all of
that to become one of the most watchable film for the general populace since Enock
Chihombori’s “Gringo the Troublemaker.”
Your date might resist going, but try to talk them into it. They won’t regret it and neither will you.
Release date 27
September 2014.
