The Sunday News
LOCAL film “Zola the Bicycle Thief” producer Sanelle Sibanda has finally managed to achieve his dream after securing a slot to screen the movie at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival in France next month.
The film has already been screened at the Oakland International Film Festival at the beginning of the month and this could pave the way for the movie’s international success.
Sibanda said he was happy with the approval he got from the Oakland Festival in San Francisco, America, where it was shown on 3 April while at Cannes it will be screened in May.
The America-based producer had indicated during the film’s launch in August last year that their next stop would be taking the movie to film festivals around the world and seek distribution deals.
“We are just so glad we got accepted in those festivals. It is a good exposure for our people and our country, hopefully it will work to our advantage,” said Sibanda.
The Cannes International Film Festival is an annual event held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is one of the most prestigious and publicised film festivals in the world. The invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
Cannes is one of the biggest film festivals in the world and attracts the best films hence an invitation for a screening is a big achievement on its own.
Josphat Ndlovu, who was one of the actors, said being watched by international film practitioners was a step in the right direction and said the move would open more doors for them depending on how the film is received.
“We appreciate the efforts Sanelle is making in taking the movie to different places across the world. I believe with a good reception doors could be opening for some actors. I also think this brings the spotlight to the Zimbabwean film industry particularly Bulawayo, which has not had a movie going abroad in a long time. It can prove to be a game changer in the long run for us in the local film industry and maybe attract international interest,” said the actor who played a supporting role as Mthethwa, uncle to the lead actor Zola, played by Ronald Sigeca.
The cast also includes Prince Zulu, Patrick Mabhena, the late Simon Banda and Nomvelo Khoza.
The film is about a poor boy Zola who lives in a remote village in Africa whose life takes a drastic change when his father leaves to work in South Africa and his mother dies of HIV. He is forced to live with his poor uncle, a subsistence farmer, who drinks too much. Zola gets his big break when he auditions for a dance competition. It depicts how possible it is to overcome obstacles even in the direst of situations.
Despite the setbacks, Zola and his team manage to take the crown and win the ticket to represent the country in an international dance show in America.
Sibanda, an independent filmmaker, who has written, produced and directed several feature films and short films, has also filmed America’s First Lady Michelle Obama.
