‘Last Chance’ movie stirs discussion
After successfully premiering the movie Mwayi Wotsiriza (Last Chance) in October in Lilongwe, Theatre International finally screened the film at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre on Friday night.
The film attracted a sizeable audience but at the end of it all, many people heaped praise on Theatre International led by Chancy Mauluka for what they described as a mature movie with a rich message.
The film, written and directed by Mauluka, weaves its themes around sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools.
Mwayi Wotsiriza which runs for close to an hour is in Chichewa and has English and French subtitles.
In the film, a frustrated teacher played by Mauluka ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her.
The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him (teacher), but instead of being dismissed the teacher is transferred from one school to the other where he continues his habit.
The film also tackles a lot of issues among others the HIV and Aids pandemic, businesses, women empowerment and relationships.
The audience had a discussion after the movie where they shared their views regarding the issues in the film and called on the authorities to punish teachers who impregnate girls in schools.
While some sympathised with the teachers for the poor salaries they receive and the pathetic houses they live in, others had no kind words for the teachers who abuse girls saying that our systems have to start working.
Others said the country could have started made progress in solving some of these problems by now but the biggest challenge is that Malawians are good at holding workshops but failing to implement things on the ground.
Mauluka said Mwayi Wotsiriza is a tragedy that aims at awakening discussion on issues concerning girls’ rights and basic education in the country.
The Theatre International Artistic Director said having premiered it in Lilongwe, the film also screened to women parliamentarians, who have promised to take action by consulting the Ministry of Education on some of the issues raised.
Senior Inspector of Schools Chimwemwe Juwa, who represented the Education Manager in the South West Education Division, described Mwayi Wotsiriza as a wonderful movie.
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