Malawian actor hits Netflix

The past few years have seen films about post-apocalyptic life or stories taking the centre stage. Netflix, for instance, has and continues to rely on such storylines.

For many film lovers, Bird Box which stars Sandra Bullock and premiered in 2018 comes to mind as a successful post-apocalyptic line.

About two weeks ago, a new story in the genre, Love and Monsters, debuted on Netflix.

Among the actors featured is Malawi’s Pacharo Mzembe based in Australia. He plays Ray, a survivor of a monster-apocalypse.

Together with the protagonist, American actor Dylan Obrien, Mzembe fights to survive the monsters after they took over.

“In the film I play the role of a survivor alongside Obrien in a colony living underground hiding away from the monsters,” he said in an interview from Queensland, Australia, where the paramount pictures movie was mostly filmed.

Two days after the Oscar-nominated film for the Best Visual Effects was premiered on April 14, it was trending in Portugal. It was at the forefront of the streaming platform.

“For me it’s an adventurous love story about a man’s quest to reunite with his ex-girlfriend after they were separated by a monster-apocalypse where mutated animals take over the earth,” said Mzembe.

Arguably, what makes the film more special is that it mixes the typical elements of this narrative with a light love story between two teenagers who have since grown up.

According to www.netflix.com, Love and Monsters is rated 13+. The 109 minutes long film is classified as Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

“Seven years after he survived the monster apocalypse, lovably hapless Joel leaves his cozy underground bunker behind on a quest to reunite with his ex,” reads the film’s synopsis on the Netflix website.

While the film has missed out on the Oscar as The Tenet got the trophy on Monday, Mzembe is still excited about the production’s feat.

“I am happy it was recognised at that level. It is the effort that counts. Having been nominated means we did well as a team,” he said.

The actor is also basking from the glory of a recently released Australian show, Wakefield.

He narrated: “It is a psychological mystery series that premiered in Australia on April 5. In the series, I play an anxious doctor who finds his time at the clinic very confronting and overbearing.

“In total there are eight episodes which delve into themes of mental health for both the patients and the staff of the facility. I’m hoping it goes for another season.”

As Mzembe is playing the not so confident doctor, he is rubbing shoulders with actors of international acclaim, including Rudi Dharmalingam, Geraldine Hakewill, Mandy McElhinney plus an impressive collection of Australian actors.

“There is much content, including regarding mental health, which covers the themes and topics featured in the series,” he stated.

Outside of acting and filming, Mzembe’s focus is youth empowerment through different projects.

“I have established a creative brand which I hope will be the catalyst for the many personal projects I want to accomplish in giving back for all the blessings I have received,” he said.

While at it, the actor says he does not forget his roots in whatever he does.

Mzembe added: “I represent Malawi on and off the set through sharing the meaning of my name and my experiences of family visits in Malawi.”

Currently, the actor is working on a production about Malawi for his new home and the world to see.

Mzembe said: “To date, I have not filmed anything in Malawi outside of personal videos. However, I do have a few projects which I have developed into scripts and would like to film back in Malawi which cover my origins and those of my parents.

“My ultimate dream is to produce a film in Malawi about Malawi featuring Malawians. I hope my career can continue to grow in the desired direction where I can have the stature to engineer collaborations between Malawians and filmmakers in different parts of the world.”