Vic Falls teacher, pupils shortlisted for Hollywood film

Victor Sibanda

A Primary School teacher from Chinotimba and two pupils from the same school have been shortlisted for roles in the upcoming Hollywood film starring Zimbabwean Hollywood  actor, Tongayi Chirisa which will be shot in Victoria Falls and Harare this year.

American film writer and director, Jessica Rowlands said the film is entitled Rise which represents a character rising from rags to riches. The character Rise will take the real life story of Tobias Mupfuti, owner of Victoria Falls Boxing Academy in the resort city. According to Rowlands, Mupfuti had a tough early life but later rose to success. 

“We held auditions last week in Victoria Falls, Hwange and Binga and we saw hundreds of children. In Victoria Falls we saw children from Chinotimba Primary and Mosi High School. We carried out auditions at six schools in Hwange before we proceeded to Binga where we held auditions for 50 boys. We were impressed by the talent and potential we found in Matabeleland North,” said Rowlands who is also a renowed Hollywood scriptwriter.

 She added that every candidate who auditioned got the chance to act with the famous ZBC TV actor, Eddie Sandifolo.

“We now have a shortlist of a handful of names that will be part of the film. One of the teachers at Chinotimba Primary School has been shortlisted after impressing in the auditions. We have two boys from the same school who are in the final stages. Their chances of landing the lead role are high.

 Screen tests and acting are taking place over the coming weeks to come up with the final decision. I cannot give names now because we are finalising. I will come back to you once we have arrived at the final stand point,” said the soft spoken US based screenwriter who is temporarily resident in Victoria Falls for the film.

In Hwange auditions were held at Vulindlela Theatre were boys from schools such as Thomas Coulter, St Ignatius, Lusumbami, Sir Humphrey Gibbs and Makwika Primary contested. Rowlands said that she got help from Petros Ndlovu from Shangano Arts Festival and one Mr Kanyika.

“Joe Njagu is an established filmmaker who is famous for Netflix film ‘Cook Off’ and he will be the director of the film, Rise. Njagu and Chirisa will team up with the selected cast to bring the story of Rise to life. The film will be shot in Victoria Falls and Harare this year and it is based on the true life of Tobias Mupfuti. All the best to those who will be part of the cast in this Hollywood film which will be shot locally and will be shown across the world. What is impressive is that some of the cast will be school boys,” said the ecstatic Rowlands.

The Amended Education Act Chapter 25:04 as read with the updated curriculum policy in Zimbabwe advocates for the hands on approach to learning in schools so as to produce graduates who will be self-reliant. Visual Performing Arts is one of the learning areas in primary schools and the Zimbabwe Hollywood film, Rise  dovetails the updated school curriculum.