Matabeleland to Make AFRICAN PREMIERE at ENCOUNTERS South African International Documentary Festival

 

A hauntingly personal tale of love, legacy, and loss, Matabeleland, directed by the talented Nyasha Kadandara, is set to captivate audiences with its African premiere at the prestigious Encounters South African International Documentary Festival.

This feature-length debut delves into Zimbabwe’s tumultuous history, focusing on the 1983 massacre in Matabeleland that claimed over 20,000 lives. Decades later, the unburied spirits of the victims cast long shadows over families, including that of protagonist Chris Nyathi.

In 1983, Zimbabwe witnessed one of its darkest chapters under President Robert Mugabe, as more than 20,000 people were massacred in Matabeleland. Among the victims was the father of Chris Nyathi, a 60-year-old Zimbabwean immigrant in Botswana who is haunted by his father’s unburied spirit. Chris believes his family is cursed, a belief that has strained his ability to provide for his 17 children and compromised his relationship with his girlfriend, Dumi.

Set against a backdrop of political upheaval, Matabeleland chronicles Chris’s journey to secure his father’s burial and break free from the shadow of his family’s painful legacy. With themes of love, masculinity, and resilience woven through its narrative, the film offers a deeply personal lens into Zimbabwe’s complex history and the enduring impacts of generational trauma.

"This film offers a nuanced, deeply personal perspective on a misunderstood region, presenting Zimbabwe beyond the usual focus on politics or the ever-struggling economy. Through Chris’s story, I hope Zimbabweans can confront our history, seeing in his struggles a mirror of our collective trauma and resilience, particularly for those from Matabeleland who have long felt unseen."
– Nyasha Kadandara

Amidst the decades-long tension between the Ndebele and Shona people of Zimbabwe, Matabeleland takes on a unique, deeply personal perspective. Directed by Nyasha Kadandara, a young Shona filmmaker born in Bulawayo, the film captures the complex nuances of identity, belonging, and reconciliation. As someone who straddles both worlds, Kadandara brings a thoughtful, insider’s view to a story rooted in the history of her own dual origins. Her storytelling lens bridges the divide, guiding audiences through a journey of understanding and healing.

Matabeleland is a powerful product of Pan-African storytelling, with Nyasha Kadandara directing under the banner of LBx Africa, a production company celebrated for award-winning documentaries like Softie (Sundance 2020), No Simple Way Home (Berlinale 2022), and Free Money (TIFF 2022). The collaboration between Zimbabwe and Kenya underscores the film’s unique ability to explore universal themes while remaining deeply rooted in regional identity.

With its african premiere now behind us, Matabeleland is officially out in the world, a film that challenges audiences to rethink Zimbabwe’s history beyond stereotypes. The premiere is just the beginning of the film’s journey, as it continues to spark vital conversations about identity, justice, and reconciliation.

Encounters South African International Documentary Festival Screenings & Q&As

·        Cape Town:

o   Ster-Kinekor V&A: Sat, 21 June, 3:30 PM

o   Bertha iSiv: Sun, 22 June, 4:00 PM

·        Johannesburg:

o   The Zone @ Rosebank: Sat, 28 June, 5:30 PM

Watch the trailers HERE

About the film:

Chris, a 60-year-old Zimbabwean immigrant struggling to support his large family, believes he’s cursed by his late father’s unburied spirit. When he falls for Dumi, who pushes him to fully commit, a political shift back home forces Chris to face his past, question his faith, and reckon with the legacy he’s built.