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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE much-hyped premiere of feature film Qiniso did not live up to expectations as it failed to impress owing to a glut of technical glitches.
Scores of people thronged Bulawayo Rainbow City 1 on Saturday night and left disappointed and wondering what they had just watched. Those in the crowd included the principal director of culture in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, Paul Damasane who had come to support his daughter Nomashawekazi who was part of the cast.

Everything from the advertising of the movie on Twitter and the buzz it created, to the glitz and glam of the red carpet and the set up was spot on, but there were numerous technical hiccups.

Firstly, the movie showing began two hours late as organisers battled to get sound and picture as two DVD players and a laptop packed out. Secondly in those two hours the packed auditorium was subjected to the unbearable baking heat as there was no air conditioning. The show was oversubscribed as some of the people in the auditorium who were seated along the aisles were asked to move to Rainbow City 2 so as to watch the movie from there. However, when they moved there the movie was not screened and some resorted to drinking alcohol while others left in a huff.

When it came to the movie, the concept and story were good but the film makers made mistakes in filming, directing, editing and story telling.

Those who were “lucky enough” to watch the movie could not believe that they had paid $5, some $10 to watch a poorly edited and shot movie.

The story line is an intriguing investigation into the murder of a prominent city lawyer Nkosana who was involved in a love triangle with his wife Nanette.  His wife’s sister Zanele are involved and all witnesses to his murder.

However, poor lighting, video filming, scene selection, sound and props contributed to the disappointing final product.

After the premiere Damasane although commending producers for coming up with a noble idea for a film pointed out that they missed the mark on the basics of film production.

“I know we’re doing things on a smaller budget but Nigerians are operating on much smaller budgets. They’ve only mastered the skill of post shooting editing which is what’s lacking with us. There were some points that needed to be re done,” he said.

Damasane urged producers to create content that could make it on the international market.

“Whatever you’re doing should have a mention at these international African film festivals. I’ve watched Tsitsi Dangarembwa’s films, the stories are very simple but it’s the quality of the technical aspect of the production of the movie and that gets her that exposure,” he said.

Damasane said he was worried that filmmakers in the country were not planning for a future by creating quality productions as television was going digital in June.

“What’s worrying is that there’s a future that we don’t seem to be planning for. The future is TV going digital. When we’ve so much talent and not creating content that to me is worrying,” he said.

Damasane was impressed with the turn-out as it showed that there was a market that needed to be tapped.

One of the actors Philani Nyoni (Nkosana in the movie) who doubles up as the publicist for the movie said they were aware of the technical challenges of the movie and would improve in their next showing.

“We’re aware of the technical mishaps during the premiere and in the movie. We had financial constraints in coming up with the movie and the technical support,” he said.

Asked on the fate of ticket holders who were told to watch the movie in Rainbow City 2, Nyoni said they could come and seek refunds at Rainbow cinemas as from today or come another day and watch it.

“They can come forward to the movie house with their tickets and we will hear them out. Others can come and watch it as it’s screening everyday for the next two weeks there,” he said.