New film dedicated to the late VP Landa John Nkomo

Two Villages Apart, a Zimbabwean film about political tolerance, peace and unity, was launched Monday night at the Harare International Conference Centre, with a moving message of forgiveness and embracing each other.

Dedicated to the memory of the late Vice President, Dr Landa John Nkomo, the film project was done by film students mostly from the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa, who worked under the auspices of the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration.

The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Professor Jonathan Moyo, said there is no better way of preaching about peace than through the arts.

He said film and music are the best medium of communicating issues that build the nation such as forgiveness and tolerance because they reach big audiences.

"It is indeed a wonderful evening for us to come and share with our artistes work they have done which speaks to a very important issue in our country. The issue of peace.

"Some of us in communication try very hard to talk about peace – its importance in nation-building, in bringing us together. But I don't think there are better people to share the powerful message of peace that artistes. I can't imagine there is a better way of communicating to us and speaking to our hearts and minds better than film, movies," said Professor Moyo.

The story is about a young cricket player, James, played by Prince Madondo, who is diagnosed with an incurable heart ailment and recoils to his rural home.

He sets out to train the villagers the game of cricket as a way to keep his dream alive, but finds out it is virtually unknown.

While trying to train them, he realises that the youths are political rivals who hate each other with a passion following the death of two brothers Victor and Webster at the hands of unknown assailants.

The hate emanates from suspicion. The film explodes into a series of events that culminate into brotherhood, sacrifice and political tolerance as the villages find each other through cricket.

The Minister of Presidential Affairs for Harare Metropolitan Province, Cde Chikukwa, said the launch of the peace film is an initiative meant to bring lasting peace and unity to the people of Zimbabwe.

"Cdes and friends, the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration would like to encourage all stakeholders to facilitate further dissemination of the message of peace and unity through the peace film and album so that Zimbabweans at large can benefit from the lessons drawn from these two communication mediums. These two products will not be for sale," she said.

Two Villages Apart is the first for director MacDonald Mabido, editor Carol Marufu, director of photography Admire Kuzhangaira, co-producer Kuda Moyo, line producer Morebrian Marara and Production Manager Lucky Aaron, all students from the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (ZIFTESSA).

The Health Advisor to the President and Cabinet, Dr Timothy Stamps, also graced the event.

Several film makers, producers and actors attended the film launch. They include Marian Kunonga, Rufaro Kaseke, Pretty Xaba as well as musicians Baba Manyeruke and Pastor Haisa.