Zimbabwean filmmaker, Melgin Tafirenyika believes that for the
local film industry to grow and realise its full potential, there needs to be a
lot more investment and he is not talking about the financial aspect alone.
Tafirenyika believes that the filmmakers themselves need to possess
the passion, the requisite drive and more importantly, be willing to invest their
time and energy as well if the industry is to take that next step.
"It is no secret that we need money but lets not forget
how vital that 'undying passion' for the arts industry itself is.
" Everyone talks about investing money in film, that's all
good and well but what are we the filmmakers doing to make our market a fertile
ground for that investment?
"We have to invest our time and energies in each and everything
we do and be willing to put in that little extra effort if our film industry is
to grow", said Tafirenyika.
The director/producer/actor said this on the sidelines of a brand
new movie that he is putting the final touches to, titled 'My First Boyfriend' and
which is set to be released in early 2017.
"On this film I worked with Jefferson Musera, Tendai
Maduwa, Jasper Mandizera, Takura Murapa and Beauty Nkomazana, to mention a few.
"The movie itself was inspired by everyday life and experiences.
Collen (one of the central characters), who is and has been living in a sexless
marriage with Cindy decides to bring his first girlfriend Bridget from high
school to come and live together as a tenant. No surprises for guessing what new
turn of events unfold as a result of this one misinformed dicision", said Tafirenyika.
According to the director-producer, the film explored quite
a variety of themes centering on today's relationships, most of which touched
on abuse, trust and faithfulness.
The filmmaker singled out perfomances by Vimbisai Maruta, who
plays 'Bridget' and Jude Dutiro who plays a young suitor in the movie as ones to
look forward to.
Having estsblished himself as a filmmaker of repute on the continent
and beyond, among his most treasured moments, Tafirenyika counts being able to work
and rub shoulders with some of the best names in film during his stint at South
African soapie, 'Generations', as being top of his list.
"Some of the highlights of my career include the invaluable
experience I got from being on the set of ......and shooting 'Generations' (one
of the longest running soapies in South Africa and a favourite of many across the
African continent), shooting Dstv adverts and the emotions I went through whilst
writing and putting together my first film (l Will Marry Myself) back in 2012.
"I also treasure being nominated twice for Zimbabwe Achievers
Awards 2014/15 , l won 3 medals on the National Model Championship, l also scooped
2 awards for the Best Commercial Model and Best Fitness Model, l was also awarded
with Best Male Entrepreneur of the year in 2016", he said.
And as to which encounters were the most memorable, Tafirenyika
said,
"Over the years, I have worked with a lot of people, from
'Simi', a Nigerian singer, to Skenjani from the movie 'Jelusarema' and many
more.
"I value each and every one of these encounters and experiences
as they have gone a long way in making me the man and filmmaker that I am today".
Melgin Tafirenyika is a model,actor,writer, producer and
director. He studied Drama in South Africa where he also went on to be involved
in behind-the-scenes work for quite a number of tv shows and adverts.
To his credit he has written and produced a number of movies,
sime of which include 'l Will Marry Myself', 'Deep Thought', 'Sour Milk', 'Love
Is Not Enough' and 'My First Boyfriend', among others.
Local film fans will be familiar with 'I Will Mary Myself' and
'Sour Milk' which did relatively well and established Tafirenyika as a force to
reckon with on the local film landscape.
Tafirenyika runs his own production company called Light
Image Productions which was founded in 2004 and is based in the dormitory town
of Chitungwiza.
This is the same production company that the director said was
behind another forthcoming production titled 'Big Scar' and film fans can look
forward to seeing it on the big screen in the not-so-distant future.
On a parting note, Tafirenyika said that his words of advice
to anyone out there who has a dream or a goal they wanted to attain was;
"I tell people that if someone can do it you can also
do it. The only thing that can stop you from becoming who yu wanna become is
yourself!"
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