‘The Letter’ tackles social issues
HIGHLY-PUBLICISED local movie, “The Letter” that is showing at Theatre in the Park offers insight into social issues that include promiscuity and alcoholism.
Based on true events, the movie narrates the story of two men who lose their jobs in the wake of the 2015 judgment that allowed companies to lay-off employees.
One of the duo Simon, played by veteran actor Emmanuel Mbirimi, works as a senior executive at a newspaper. He is fired after failing to follow his board’s directive to lay-off his subordinates.
With a pregnant “small house” and a son who needs his university fees to be paid, Simon colludes with his friend Victor to rob his former company of money from newspapers sales. They hijack a trunk coming from distribution, kidnap the driver and kill him to cover their tracks.
All this is in the eyes of a concealed eyewitness who records the murder on his phone leading to the pair’s arrest.
The star-studded movie bridges different generations in Zimbabwean films, starring veteran actor Mbirimi who played Neria’s husband in highly praised local movie Neria back in 1993.
Also from that generation is award-wining director and theatre practitioner Daves Guzha, who is the movie’s executive producer.
From more recent generations is celebrated comedian Admire ‘Bhutisi’ Kuzhangaira of the PO BOX fame, rising comedian Tinaye Wayne, renowned actress Carol Mashingaidze-Zimbizi, and Sarah Mpofu popular from her role as Tashi in yesteryear drama series Amakorokoza among others. In their generation is celebrated filmmaker Joe Njagu who directs the movie.
Though packed up during the première last Friday evening, the movie failed to attract bumper audiences at its screening the next day onwards.
It will run at Theatre in The Park in the evening till Saturday.
Entry is $5 per head.