The Last Fishing Boat wows Blantyre movie lovers

The Last Fishing Boat, a Malawian movie released 10 years ago, came back to life on Saturday evening to an impressive crowd at Jacaranda Cultural Centre in Blantyre.

The event also marked the launch of Malawi Movie Nights, an initiative by Filmmakers Association of Malawi whose aim is to help filmmakers screen and launch their movies locally.

Speaking after the movie’s screening, The Last Fishing Boat’s writer and producer Charles Shemu Joyah said he was hopeful that the cinema culture will come back to life in Malawi.

“In other countries, movies are watched at cinemas where people go, pay and enjoy the movie together as a group. Here in Malawi, people watch movies from laptops and they just share for free. This is what is killing the industry,” he said.

Joyah said the fact that Malawians still find his movie relevant and enjoyable today, 10 years after it was first released, speaks volumes of the talent and potential that Malawi has.

He disclosed that he has four scripts whose shooting and production awaits funding.

“I am currently in talks with several potential funders. Once we have everything on paper, I will let you all know of our next project,” he said.

The movie maker also hinted that he is in talks with some giant movie streaming companies to have his movies online to make them more accessible.

During the screening, patrons also asked Joyah if he has plans to make The Last Fishing Boat 2, to which he replied no.

In a separate interview, one of the patrons, Rhoda Chimphonda, who attended the event with her children, said it was refreshing to watch the movie once again.

“I last watched this movie 10 years ago. And I don’t think I watched it with the level of understanding I have now. I have enjoyed myself,” she said.

In an earlier interview, Fama general secretary James Kitchen said they will be helping local filmmakers screen their movies as one way of promoting the industry.

“We are delighted that Fama is embarking on one of its ambitious projects called Malawi Movie Nights. Malawi needs this to help filmmakers not only to screen their movies, but also make money,” he said.