‘The Painting’ Delves Into Horror

It’s not easy to produce an African film, particularly a horror, but Multichoice Talent Factory’s group of students got the formula right. The academy consisted of a 12-month accredited programme in film and television where students received hands-on skills and experience which they used to create films. One of them was ‘The Painting’, a scary flick that follows a Zambian family.

Naomi, a pregnant young wife, struggles to get into an art festival to have her work showcased internationally, but one mysterious day, a painting appears in their living room – one of a late great aunt, who was also known as the ‘Croc on the Rock’ due to her fierce attitude and immense love for culture. But there’s evil within this painting and it rocks the family to its core, leaving a mysterious ending and goosebumps in its wake.

There’s an underlying theme of culture versus modernity – is Naomi cursed because she cannot speak her mother tongue? Are the ancestors punishing her for it? Or is it simply a supernatural case that should be left alone?

Mozambique’s Gerson Amaral, a student of the MTF as well as a writer of the film, said the challenges included writers constantly readjusting the work. However, there were some benefits he gained from bringing the film to life: “One of the most important things we learnt was how to do things without even having money,” Amaral said. “I think that it’s difficult in the real world, but it’s not impossible. It’s not going to hinder us.”

One of the major points of the movie, which was aptly applauded, was the use of special effects, and Namibia’s own Toivo Ashivudhi, who studied multimedia in Malaysia, was responsible for them. “The concept was new and it was scary for me, but it was an honour,” he said about the experience.

‘The Painting’ premiered at Ster Kinekor in Manda Hill in Lusaka, Zambia, and media and guests from all over the SADC region were invited.

“The journey we had for ‘The Painting’ was interesting,” Berry Lwando, MTF’s director, said during a press conference. “When we asked students to propose their stories, all of them liked ‘The Painting’. What was more important was that it was accepted by the Zambezi channel,” he said.

In terms of the production, 10 students worked behind the scenes while the other 10 worked in other roles. “You rarely see horror genres,” Lwando commented. “We have aspects of computer-generated imagery and sound. We have been exposed to different skill-sets.”

Our very own Sally Jason was the producer for the film, and despite already being in the industry for 10 years, she said there was still a fair share of stress. “I don’t watch horror movies, but just being part of it… There were many emotions. I stressed so much! But it’s beautiful how we came together. We’re such a team.”

Although the film was scooped up by Zambezi Magic, it will also be aired on M-Net channels across the continent including Africa Magic, Pearl Magic, Maisha Magic East and more. The film will also be available on Showmax and the DStv Now app.

‘The Painting’ will premiere on Zambezi Magic (DStv channel 162) on Thursday, 12 September, at 21h30.

– Mickey Nekomba on social media

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