Story by Patience Nyagato
A futuristic Great Zimbabwe animated story, which has been showing on international platforms, is set to premiere in Harare for the first time this Thursday.
‘Mukudzei,’ a futuristic Great Zimbabwe animation, currently showing on the DisneyPlus channel, will premiere at the Ster Kinekor cinema in Borrowdale, Harare this Thursday.
Co-director Tafadzwa Hove explained the animation which showcases the beauty of the country.
“The film is called Mukudzei. The reason why we chose such a story is because when Black Panther came out, Africa was proud after we were portrayed as people who are also smart and strong. But people then said it was a fictitious world. So, we had to tell our story based on a real legendary African people,” said Hove.
Co-producer, Pious Nyenyewa called for stakeholders to invest in animation and help Africa take control of its narrative amid revelations that most Hollywood animations have suggestive storylines that paint Africa as a primitive and uncivilised society.
Nyenyewa said, “There are opportunities for animators to create things that can make waves. It is underrepresented. People should have an appreciation of what it does. Most children are raised watching cartoons and that is why I think more people should get into telling the African story.”
The action-packed animated anthology draws focus to the continent’s diverse history and cultures.
