The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
A POTENTIAL blockbuster movie is in the making in the scenic Eastern Highlands.
The movie ‘Vicious Circle’ is pencilled to premiere on July 15, 2021.
A mixture of renowned Mutare and Harare-based actors, actresses and newcomers in the showbiz industry, including 21 members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, have joined forces to come up with the movie.
The police officers who are part of the cast include Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector LuxsonChananda.
Diamond FM’s presenter, Leonard Tsikira, fondly known as DJ Lampy, also features in the movie.
Gospel musician Pastor Tinashe Murigo and TapiwaMarahwa are also part of the cast.
Pastor Murigo and Marahwa featured in another locally produced movie, ‘The Goodman’, which fared well on Youtube.
‘The Goodman’ was also shown online in the Montgomery International Film Festival in Bethsaida, Maryland, in the United States of America from September 18, 2019 to September 18, 2020.
‘Vicious Circle’ is based on award-winning author Stephen Mutsago’s book which carries the same title.
A contingent of actors and actresses are currently camped at the Police Training College in Vumba, shooting the movie.
The tourism sector will also benefit from the production as it will market the scenic resorts of the Eastern Highlands. Scenes are being shot from the rolling countryside, Nyanga Range’s tea plantations, the green meadows and the coffee plantations of the Bvumba Range.
‘Vicious Circle’ sees a sequence of reciprocal events unfolding, with two or more elements aggravating each other and worsening the situation as a result.
The movie, which stars Detective HOD, played by Stephen Mutsago, is a captivating and inspiring story of a dedicated police officer who religiously and bravely investigates complicated, tragic and sensitive crimes.
The more he attempts to do so, the more they become complex.
This ends up sucking in his family.
Eventually, Detective HOD busts up a well-funded criminal racket, DETROIT, which is a network of armed robbers, murderers, ritualists, researchers of crime, kidnappers and drug peddlers, among others.
The cunning and calculative cartel navigates through troubled waters and makes HOD’s life miserable despite his concerted efforts to combat their criminal activities.
The gang always devices new ways to evade police arrest, including the use of black magic.
However in the end, HOD emerges victorious and brings the culprits to book.
In an interview with The Weekender, the producer of the movie Robert Zvidzai said the crime movie also touches on deceit, romance, bravery, betrayal and honour, among other things.
He co-produces the movie with Mutare’s own jewel and fast-rising producer, IgiMatope.
“The movie also exposes rogue elements within the police force as some officers will be working in cahoots with the criminals. So basically it portrays the underground work that the police do during investigations and when they crack crimes,” said Zvidzai.
“The story has a lot of twists and turns and I know that people from across the globe will fall in love with it.
“It sends a clear message that nomatter how one runs, the long arm of the law will always catch up with perpetrators, sooner or later,” he said.
“We wrote to the Commissioner-General of the Police, Godwin Matanga, asking for his permission to use the ZRP’s human and material resources and our request was approved.
“Auditions were done in Mutare and Harare.
“We are staying as a team to make sure that we bond and understand each other better.
“The set-up of the movie is basically in Mutare, the scenic Vumba and Nyanga areas. It also includes scenes from local hotels, Fairbridge and Chikanga residential areas as well as the Dora communal lands,” said Zvidzai.
On the budget set aside for the movie, Zvidzai said the production is relying on well-wishers.
“A lot of individuals are coming on board with donations. The ZRP is offering accommodation, rifles, horses and other such things,” he said.
The movie is being shot by Matope, who is the brains behind ‘The Goodman’.
