Zimbabwean Movie On Anti-Poaching To Premiere In Kenya [VIDEO]

A Zimbabwean-written, directed, and produced anti-poaching film Gonarezhou The Movie, produced by Tariro Washe, is set to premiere in Kenya on Friday, November 3 2022 at the Westgate Mall, Nairobi.

Gonarezhou The Movie, written and directed by award-winning director Sydney Taivavashe raises awareness against poaching, human trafficking, and human-wildlife conflict. This production showcases Zimbabwe’s filmmaking talent whilst highlighting real social issues.

It was produced in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. The film’s awards include Best First Feature at its World Premiere at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles and was an Official Selection at the prestigious Monaco Streaming Film Festival in May 2022.

Promo poster for 'Gonarezhou: The Movie'. /COURTESY

About

Gonarezhou: The Movie is a crime story of a young man called Zulu who joins a notorious armed poaching group after a series of misfortunes in his life. In the chaos that ensues, he finds love and must navigate out of this highly charged environment to meet his fate, good or bad.

The story was inspired by the killings of 300 elephants by poachers using cyanide in 2013.

The film, shot in Zimbabwe in 2019, is produced by Zimbabwean Producer, Actor, and Conservationist Tariro Washe, who also stars in the movie as Sargent Onai. 

It boasts an all-star cast that includes Tamy Moyo, Eddie Sandifolo, Tendaiishe Chitima, Tinashe Nhukarume, Charles Mzemba, Jackson Chavhanga, Courage Murambadar, and Tawanda Mazvanya.

“Gonarezhou: The Movie is meant to raise awareness of cruel acts against wildlife in Africa with a purpose to instill a sense of responsibility and fear to those who might be considering poaching as a way to gain quick riches," The Film Director behind the movie, Sydney Taivashe opened up on the inspiration for the film.

Gonarezhou The Movie (GTM) won the Best First Feature Film Award at the 2020 Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. GTM was also a finalist at the 2020 Flickers’ Rhode Island (USA) International Film Festival and has been nominated for National Art Merit Award's Outstanding Feature Film 2022 (Zimbabwe). Recently, GTM was selected for screening at the prestigious Monaco Streaming Film Festival 2022.

The Premiere

The premiere presents an opportunity for dialogue, interaction, and networking between young people, conservation stakeholders, and local filmmakers on how the shaping of narrative can be mutually beneficial.

This event will be divided into two; the movie screening and a panel discussion. It will be attended by an invited audience that includes guests drawn from the Kenyan and Zimbabwean Governments, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Zimbabwe Nationa Parks, and Wildlife Management Authority, conservation organizations, human-wildlife conflict activists, filmmakers, journalists, media personalities, and influencers.

According to the organizers, this premiere will take place at the Westgate Cinema. Doors will open at 5.30 pm for the safari-themed red-carpet event, at 6.15 pm there will be opening remarks from the Cabinet Secretaries who will be present and then the movie screening will begin at 6.30 pm.

After the screening, there will be a panel discussion from 8.00 pm to 8.30 pm to reflect on the African Solutions to African Conservation Problems followed by closing remarks and a vote of thanks at 8.40 pm. Those in attendance will also take a sneak peek at Washe’s upcoming new film.

To wrap up the evening there will be a session of networking and press interviews as the guests leave at their pleasure.

Tariro and Director Sydney. /COURTESY