A new Malawian film State of the Nation Address (Sona) is set to premiere in three of the country’s cities next month.
The production team says the premiere in Lilongwe is slated for November 27 at Bingu International Convention Centre followed by Mzuzu on November 28 at Chisanga while for Blantyre, the venue and date will be.
In an interview, production manager Daudi Shaibu said the plan is a continuation of their tradition of taking films to audiences in different parts of the country.
“We want these premieres to be more than just film screenings. They will be opportunities for audiences to meet the team, experience the film together and celebrate the work that has gone into producing Sona,” he said.
Shaibu said the movie is about 90 percent complete in both production and post-production work.
“We have been running the two processes concurrently, which has helped us move the project forward efficiently. At this stage, we are mainly working on finishing touches,”he said
Shaibu said the remaining work includes capturing additional images and reviewing scenes to ensure they meet the director’s vision and set quality standards.
He said fans should expect a bigger and more improved production, adding it is a strong and relatable story that touches on real issues in society.
“We have put a lot of work into the production, and we believe audiences will see the growth in our storytelling, production quality and overall presentation, said Shaibu.
The production has taken the actors to Malawi Parliament, where some scenes were recently shot.
In an earlier interview with The Nation, production director Eziaus Mkandawire said the belief at 4Kaya Films is to create something which gives a real impression rather than just imitation.
“In Welcome to Maula Prison we made a deliberate choice not to recreate a prison bAnature of a prison. Parliament works the same,”he said.
The movie Sona derives from Sona, a State of the Nation Address that is delivered in Parliament by a sitting President.
Apart from Welcome to Maula Prison, 4Kaya Films is also credited for producing School Days, which has most online streams.
The movie is being produced by a seasoned filmmaker, now Mndolera Constituency parliamentarian Kendall Kamwendo and Lawrence Nyale.
