Local movie set for USA premiere
Newly premiered local film by actor-cum-filmmaker Ashukile Mwakisulu All We Have Is Us is set for a premiere in South Bend, the United States (US).
After it was premiered at Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre two weeks ago, the film will be shown in the US on July 30 at the AMC Movies 16 South Bend.
The forthcoming film premiere will happen under the facilitation of three US-based Malawians; renowned DJ E Dubs, real name Edmund Chiphwanya, Brandon Mafuleka and Wezi Msiska.
The trio said the idea behind bringing the Malawian movie to the US is an effort to create advanced opportunities for local creatives whose potential is going unnoticed.
In an interview from his base in South Bend, Chiphwanya said they have been planning to have the movie premiered in the US since April.
He said: “Ashukile is an old friend. When he started work on the movie, it happened that I was visiting Malawi. He expressed the desire to have the film premiered here. And two years later we are here.
“I briefed my two partners Brandon and Wezi and they are both excited about it. This will be a big platform that can benefit not only producers of the movie, but also other Malawian filmmakers.”
According to Mwakisulu, screening the movie in the US is a good opportunity for the production to get exposure at a higher level. The filmmaker said production of the movie cost almost K5 million.
He said: “We don’t have distribution channels here and it is really difficult for our productions to get good endorsements from companies or earn sponsorship deals. We don’t know who will turn up during the premiere, we may just get some opening.”
The film producer also hinted on listing the movie for several regional and continental film awards such the Africa Movie Academy Awards which will take place in Nigeria in October.[ Mwakisulu said he is also planning to have the film premiered in United Kingdom and South Africa.]
The movie is about two teenage girls (Elsie and Dora) who were orphaned at an early age and moved to stay with their aunt in the village. In their pursuit for a better life, they encounter different challenges which ultimately shaped their destiny.
