Mbuso Nwayila
Within three months of its release, Rirhandzu, a Xitsonga short film, has bagged over 10 awards both internationally and nationally.
The 16-minute vernacular film, filmed in a backyard in Tzaneen, was released in August 2021 and the global film industry seems to be smitten by the local film.
The film is about an instant encounter inspired by unpronounced love between two young people from different social backgrounds which snowballs into an incredible need to find each other despite uncertainty, prejudice, and technological challenges.
Rirhandzu’s root core of the film is how it promotes and escalates the beauty of the Xitsonga traditional attire and language. It draws a contrast between the poor and the rich, whilst showing how hope and love may triumph against all odds.
On Monday 29 November, it won the Best Women’s Film and was chosen as a finalist in the Best Film Category at the Bright International Film Festival in the UK.
Just before that, on 27 November at the ninth African Emerging Filmmakers Awards in Kwazulu Natal, the film makers won an award for Best Supporting Actor, a role played by Vukosi Mashele.
They have scooped two gold awards for the Best Narrative Short Film and Student Film categories respectively, at the International Independent Film Awards.
The film was showcased at the Himachal and Pune film festivals in India and at the Indie Short Fest, a Los Angeles international film festival.
The US audience seemed to love it as it was also showcased last month at the African Film Festival in Atlanta.
Samuel Ntsanwisi the director of the film told Scrolla.Africa that he is overwhelmed by the great reception they have received.
“The fact that Rirhandzu has been selected in festivals where the films are very artistically made is very humbling and credit must be given to everyone including our producer Samsrec Productions,” said Ntsanwisi.
“For a Xitsonga film to be taken without any questions asked, is a big deal for us and this means that the local language is growing,” concluded the director.
