Highbrow finally screens home

There is potential for the film industry and what needs to be done is just to tighten a few screws that are loose, said one movie fanatic after the premiere of Highbrow, a film by Chaz Munthali at Icon Theatre, formerly Cine Cinema, in Blantyre on Saturday night. The premiere came barely a day after the film screened at Bingu International Convention Centre in…

There is potential for the film industry and what needs to be done is just to tighten a few screws that are loose, said one movie fanatic after the premiere of

The premiere came barely a day after the film screened at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Friday night.

The highly anticipated Cashgate story movie, which created a buzz with its trailer, comes home having premiered in United States of America already.

Powered by Nico Group which ahead of the premiere pumped K10 million into it, the red carpet premiere attracted an impressive audience in Blantyre.

“I last watched a movie here when it was Cine Cinema but it was a foreign film. I am happy today I got to watch a local film on a big screen which was good. I watched a movie which is different from the Nollywood style,” Gilbert Zulu, said.

He said the team also needs to work on a few technical glitches of sound that nearly haunted the movie experience at the beginning.

The premiere attracted the presence of some of the actors including 11- year old Emmanuel John Munthali and Yolanda Katsonga, who was also the host.

Patrick Mhango, who is the lead actor playing budget director, said he was honoured to play the role.

“I feel the positive energy with the support tonight,” Mhango, who also starred in Fatsani, said.

Ben Wandawanda, who was the executive producer, also described the premiere as a great experience.

“It was all different, especially coming after Covid. It was amazing. Actors did a great job looking to the fact that, for others, it was the first time,” Wandawanda said.

Chaz, as the director, said he produced the film on Cashgate not to demean anyone but for entertainment purposes.

“It’s been amazing in both Lilongwe and Blantyre. I am thankful for the support. As for the film, let people do the judging,” he said.

Shot and edited by Essim M’bwana, the film, which takes us back to 1980s before moving to the present, rekindles memories of Cashgate which took place at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.

There is drama, action, romance and suspense in the film that tells the story of a young budget director in Malawi Government. The position makes him many enemies and tests his relationship with his wife and friends.

The position brings him into the world of politicians and businessmen, who want to maintain the status quo. He is then forced to either join or fight them.

The film, which also features actors such as musician Bucci, comedians Nya Uyu and Mr Broken English, Fawzia Osman, Joyce Mhango Chavula and Edwin Chonde utilised local music including Kalimba’s ‘Sometimes I Wonder’ and Trumel’s ‘Hero’.

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