Record-Breaking Director Moses Matanda Bags Four Awards for Chinhoyi 7 in Nigeria

By Bybit Chigumbura

More plaudits continue to pour for record breaking film producer and director Moses Matanda whose blockbuster film Chinhoyi 7 recently scooped four awards at the Rivers International Film Festival in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

The festival which also saw President Mnangagwa being awarded the Global, Socio-Cultural President of the year gong, saw the veteran cinema guru Matanda’s film which he did in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces taking home the Best story, editing, international film as well as best producer for his part.

International film critique Professor Femi Okiremuette of SHAKA University in Port Harcourt River State described Chinhoyi 7 as the actual rendition of the true African story which reminds the imperialists that although the continent has managed to forgive and move on, it cannot forget its colonial bondage past.

“Chinhoyi Seven is an award-winning movie anywhere, anytime and I was not surprised that Canadian Funding Agencies refused to fund the production, I actually would have been surprised if they had opted to finance it because it best describes how their forefathers ill-treated us, the Africans, “ he said.

The soft spoken Matanda who has had a stint in the Canadian and American film industry said beyond the economic impact, the film industry is a conduit for creative innovation.

“The fusion of different cultural perspectives leads to innovative story telling and access to a global talent pool enriches the creative process”, he said.

Matanda said coupled with President Mnangagwa’s award at the festival, the moment honours the country’s heritage.