The old saying states that behind every successful man, is a woman, at least that’s what film buffs witnessed when Phillip Chiyangwa turned up at the weekend with his wife Elizabeth at 7 Arts Theatre for the premiere of “The Gentleman”. The flamboyant businessman and his wife put on the style and stole the thunder from the rest of the cast as they strutted on the red carpet rolled out to guests as well as the cast.
Despite playing a cameo role in the film, Chiyangwa, enjoyed his moments at the premiere amid loud cheers from the audience. Liz wore an exclusive green designer dress and neatly braided hair while Chiyangwa put on a shiny black tuxedo. Chiyangwa made his big screen debut in the latest Zimbabwean film “The Gentleman” where he acted as a filthy rich businessman Mr Rogers based in South Africa. “I run Johannesburg . . .” at least that was one of Chiyangwa’s catch phrases in the film. However, Chiyangwa appears just for a few minutes at the opening of the film before he fizzles out. It was a pretty small role for a man like Chiyangwa whose art imitates life more than anything else does. “Some may wonder whether I am an actor or not, but I can guarantee you that I was born an actor. Being flamboyant is acting, standing in front of a whole multitude of people doing presentations is acting, going around the Ximex Mall and throwing money at those dealers is acting,” he once said.
Apparently, Chiyangwa’s Pinnacle Holdings also sponsored the movie and for starters it wasn’t bad considering it was hit debut on the big screen. Judging from the loud cheers from the audience a good number of people were more than happy to see more of Chiyangwa. That said, “The Gentleman” is a beautiful story told in a Zimbabwean way in major languages including Shona, Zulu and IsiNdebele.
The story is one which will leave many filmgoers with a dried up tear and a laugh. Two feuding brothers played by former Big Brother All Stars housemate Munyaradzi Chidzonga decide to put their differences aside and unite against one common enemy. The twins, Takunda and Tawana, did not see eye to eye. However, when Takunda got himself into trouble he returns to Zimbabwe from South Africa. Unbeknown to him, he was being trailed by two gangsters who happened to be his former friends.
Added to this drama, Tawana was leading a normal life with his wife up until she became an alcoholic. Later, she experienced pregnancy complications, which needed an operation but Tawana did not have enough money to cover her medical bills. At work, there was rampant corruption and Tawana as an auditor was supposed to flush out the culprits but then things got worse.
As the corrupt senior official Gombe offered him a bribe. Tawana refuses to budge but then things took another turn when Gombe hatched a plan to kidnap him. However, the cardinal mistake was that they didn’t know Tawana and Takunda were twin brothers and instead of Tawana they kidnapped Takunda.
Amid the confusion, Takunda met Gombe and he accepted the US$30 000 bribe and promised to write a good financial report. While Takunda was busy with his shady deals Tawana was being held hostage at home by two guys from South Africa who thought they had gotten Takunda. As fate would have it, when Takunda got home with the money a fight ensued and he gets killed in cold blood. Tawana survived and his wife gave birth to a baby boy who they named Takunda.
The film ends in suspense after Tawana discovered that his late brother Takunda had received the bribe.
Rufaro Kaseke, Lilian Chidavaenzi and Batsirai Masvinge produced “The Gentleman”. It was written and directed by Joe Njagu and edited by Charles Mawunga. On the star-studded cast are Presley Chweneyagae, Miss Malawi 2011 Faith Chibale, Precious Makhulumo, Patrick Mabhena, Willis Wataffi, Adiona Maboreke, Charles Muzemba, Elijah Madzikatire, Sithandazile Dube as well as Moreblessing and Mthandazo Moyo.
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