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
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.
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