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Film Review
The
Kitchen Party
By Lowdown Correspondent
The September media event was hosted at Gizmos, Central
Park Lusaka, and had representatives from Mondo Music and Radio
Phoenix in attendance as well as other journalists and artists.
The Lowdown had a chance to talk to the producer of the movie,
Anna Musonda Phiri, about how they got the sponsorship to make the
28-minute film ‘The Kitchen Party’.
“Sithenge Film Fund of South Africa and the Dutch
organization HIVOS awarded the Euro 5000 grant, but the whole
production cost was approximately US$10,000. Without the help of
well-wishers and the generosity of the Visual Arts Council editing
unit, the film would not have been possible.”
The ‘Kitchen Party’ is more than a short film about the
challenges for young, unmarried women in Zambia. It is about an
intrepid cast and crew who are showing all the signs of going
places. The writers of the script are first-time filmmakers Milumbe
Haimbe and Samba Yonga. Samba spoke to The Lowdown about
some of the messages in the movie.
“If you are determined to live outside the box, you CAN.
Madison is the central character who wants to be a rock star. The
film portrays the social pressures she faces from her family and her
general [mostly female]* community.” *Viewers’ Note
Madison is played
by 22 year-old Julia Kaseka and it is a convincing act. Both her
and her ‘best-friend’ played by Leonisa Mumba leave you with no
doubt that something is going right with female actors. I had to
ask Julia if she was really the one singing in the movie and she
was! Sincere Zambian viewers of this screenplay, will appreciate
that Cherise’s well broadcasted dramatic win on “Big Brother Africa
2004” was no ‘one-off’ but a reflection of a wider reserve of less
publicized talent at home. Scenes in the movie ring disturbingly
true for all Zambian artists. Leonisa, who has written scripts for
the local TV series, Kabanana, has the right words “I think people
don’t identify with the arts. But maybe it is very personal and
creative. So it’s just up to you.”
The reader may be pleased to know that both actresses are
staying with their dreams; stretching across careers in public
relations, acting, modeling, singing and fashion design.
Sithenge hosts an annual Film Market event in Cape Town and
‘The Kitchen Party’ will be shown there this November. If you are
interested in knowing more, Samba can be contacted on Email at
syonga2001@yahoo.com
and Anna thru Cel: 095 781-898.
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October
2006