Suya’s film fetches over K1.7 million
Flora Suya’s latest movie, Dear Pen Pal raked K1,730,000 in auction sales during its Lilongwe premiere on Friday.
The first bid was made at K1 million by business magnet Abda Mia, wife to politician, Mohammed Sidik Mia.
Through an English auction, the film raised more as patrons outclassed each other in placing bids.
The premiere, however, was hit by a low turnout which Suya attributed to the long Easter holiday.
“The night was good but not the way I had anticipated. I was hoping for a much bigger audience but I think the holiday has had an impact as some people might have travelled.
“All the same, I am happy with the positive feedback I have received from some of the fans that came,” she said in an interview.
Suya, and her film production company, Neptunes Production, plan to screen the movie at a number of international festivals as well and contest for awards.
“After the Lilongwe premiere, I’m selling the DVDs and submitting it to international film festivals as well as awards.
“While I cannot explicitly confirm which ones, I know for sure that I will submit it to Mashariki African Film Festival, Africa Movie Academy Awards and Silicon Valley African Film Festival, among others,” she explained.
This is the second movie that Suya, mostly associated with acting, has directed after the award-winning My Mother’s Story.
Dear Pen Pal chronicles a story of two people who are pen pals. The two agree not to exchange pictures to make their first meeting exciting. When the meeting day finally comes, the man’s friend, out of jealousy, tricks the lady into believing that he is the man.
The meeting ends in sex which results in pregnancy. The two get married and 10 years later, the lady reunites with the real pen pal, now as neighbours.
Meanwhile, fans have expressed satisfaction with the film.
“The production team did a very good job,” said a patron Chimwemwe Phiri.
The movie was also premiered in Blantyre at the Underground Cinema. n
