Calvin Manika
THE advent of Covid-19 caused many industries to crumble and layoff the workforce in a bid to cut costs and sustain business operations. The film industry was no exception. With the prolonging period of the pandemic many players in the ‘silver screen’ the fraternity have mastered the art of working and producing films in the ‘new normal’.
Last week, our senior reporter Calvin Manika (CM) caught up with Joseph Munsaka aka Uncle Joe (JM) a Binga based renowned independent Film Producer and Director to discuss the film industry and its prospects during Covid-19 pandemic. Below are the excerpts of the interview.
C M: Briefly tell us about your stay in the film industry?
J S: My involvement in film and photography set off in the 90s while I was still at high school (Founders). I was greatly inspired by action movies that featured Jean Claude Van Damme. I used to do unedited motion pictures of Zambezi River, recording on analogy cameras. As technology advanced so was my passion and experience in the film industry.
C M: Can you briefly run us through your accomplished projects so far?
J M: To date I have produced several film projects that include mostly documentaries for humanitarian organisations like ActionAid, CARITAS, UNDP, UNICEF, KMTC to mention but a few. I have produced a number of musical videos for local (Binga) artistes, the likes of Wa Chulwa, Ishmael Mumpande. I did films like “Too Late To Apologize”, “Fresh Old Wounds”, “Brand New Second Hand” and now I am working on a big one. I do write film scripts mostly comedies and I edit most of my productions especially documentaries.
C M: What are the highlights of your career?
J M: From being a nurse crossing to the film industry; I was drawn into this industry by passion. Teco Benson, a Nigerian Producer/Director/Actor was at the centre of this transformation. I had always wanted to be behind the production of action packed movies of African texture.
C M: What is the state of the film industry in Zimbabwe?
JM: The film industry in Zimbabwe is necessarily still a work in progress. It is constantly adapting to social, political and economic conditions in search for a sustainable model of growth. Funding, distribution and profitability are still sore points. The Zimdigital through the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) once embarked on a national programme of capacity building local film producers. This was a novel move by the government of Zimbabwe. Unfortunately the capacitated, mostly novice filmmakers failed to cascade the skills in their respective places due to lack of subsequent funding.
C M: Since you are based in Binga what are the opportunities in the film industry?
J M: Binga is endowed with a lot of opportunities for the filming industry. The Zambezi River itself with all that vast body of water and stretching sand beach provides a perfect location for scenes of any movie genre. We have other several potential locations like lodges and the forestry. Traditional villages around Binga are other ideal places for shooting. Above all, Binga has seasoned actors/actresses and other production houses like Elino Studios, Zambezi Valley Films all with skilled personnel.
C M: Binga has not been marketed well locally and internationally despite its natural endowments. What is your take on that?
J M: Binga was initially not visible on the filming page in the past 2 decades, however as the filming industry gradually grew, we have been seeing Binga quite often on the big screen, although I still feel it’s not enough. We are slowly penetrating the international world.
C M: I understand last year you grabbed headlines that you are partnering with Nollywood. If you can tell us about that partnership?
J M: This is a big project, I am embarking on with my Nigerian counterpart in Enugu State. We are jointly working on a collabo-production on an action movie (THE BLACK). We have all the patience that this production requires. It may take us another 1 year to accomplish it. Although the Covid-19 impact is hitting on the production timelines, we are determined to hit our target.
C M: How has been storytelling through film during the Covid-19 era?
J M: Although Covid-19 and its accompanying lockdown regulations and conditions have adversely affected the film industry, especially the production stages, storytelling and scripting has not been totally affected. Most script writers have been busy working on screenwriting.
C M: Many filmmakers are complaining of low returns. Is it the same challenge you are experiencing? And what can be done in that regard?
J M: Filming sucks. It needs a lot of resources like money, time, humans and other material essentials. Without substantial or with little initial funding, the returns will be consequently low. And this, to a greater extent, is impacting negatively on the quality of productions. Filmmakers should advocate and lobby for funding support from established production houses, the private sector, NGOs and the government. We filmmakers should embark on collabo-productions to share not only expenses but also expertise.
C M: Piracy is a major threat in the film industry in Zimbabwe. What is your take?
J M: Piracy has far-reaching consequences. In spite of the enormous growth potential, widespread piracy is undermining the growth of Zimbabwe’s creative sector. I feel the law should get stiffer on anyone found infringing the copyright protection.
C M: Tell us about the monetization of the film industry especially locally. The industry is perceived as a space for unsuccessful people. What are ways of making money from film and the chances in Zimbabwe especially in Binga?
J M: Film is entertainment, film is business. It is high time ‘we’ Zimbabweans in the creative sector should realize that filming is a source of livelihoods like someone in Agriculture etc. Filmmakers in Zimbabwe are yet to transition from the filming industry into filming ‘businesses. We still have a situation in Binga and Zimbabwe where most actors/actresses are content with just seeing themselves on big screens and being greeted in the streets by fans. That is not enough. There is a need to transform from film industry to film business. What are the benefits from wearing flamboyant clothes hired by the Producer to take a role in a movie? Move on, make acting, directing, editing etc. a means of living. I can isolate Zim Filmmakers that have apparently made tremendous strides in the film. Robert Zvidza and Igi Matope, the producer and director of ‘Vicious Cycle’ the forthcoming movie. They are into the filming business. Mirazvo Film house and Guruuswa Film Company are really into the film business and impressive.
C M: Lastly, where do you see yourself and Binga respectively in the next 5 years?
J M: Five years from now, I will have retired from formal employment and will be full time into the filming business. Five years from today I should be signing mega filming contracts with seasoned film production houses in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and even America. I should be receiving testimonies from Binga actors/actresses citing their breakthrough into the film industry and film business through my guidance from Santa Joy Services.
