Joyah hopefulon Chilembwe biopic
After promising two movies this year, filmmaker Shemu Joyah has only managed to release, The Last Fishing Boat, still owing to his fans a movie on nationalist John Chilembwe.
In an interview with The Nation, Joyah said the movie has been delayed because it is more demanding than any of his previous endeavours. The movie will have a bigger cast and also needs more funds than other movies.
“The budget of the Chilembwe movie is at one million dollars (about K430 million) and because of this kind of budget, it has taken some time to source the funding,” said Joyah.
He said he has sent proposals to funding organisations in the USA, UK, South Africa and Sweden and is waiting for a response.
“The response has taken some time but, as you can see, I cannot do this kind of project on my own,” said Joyah.
He however, promised his fans that there is still a smaller project that he can release if the Chilembwe movie does not materialise.
“But I am optimistic about the Chilembwe movie because it is a good project, I cannot go wrong with it,” said Joyah.
Reports reaching The Nation indicate the Joyah has been speaking to South African-based Malawian actor Eugene Khumbanyiwa on the prospects of having the Hollywood star in the biopic.
Meanwhile, The Last Fishing Boat has been rated number nine on Africa Top 10 movies list compiled by MSN Africa and posted on www.africa.howzit.msn.com
