Maputo has enchanted many artists to the point of being the setting for several works. This is how the Brazilian filmmaker Ariadine Zampaulo made the city of acacias the stage for one of her productions.
With Mozambican actress Maria Clotilde, Zampaulo co-wrote the screenplay for “Maputo Nakurandza.” The title is a declaration of love for the Mozambican capital; after all, its literal translation from Xichangana is something like “I love you, Maputo.”
Starring Domingos Bié, Maria Clotilde Guirrugo, Salvado Mabjaia, Fernando Macamo, Eunice Mandlate, Luis Napaho, Silvana Pombal, Malua Saveca, Sabina Tembe, and Paulo Zacarias, the work brings to life a story based on daily life in Maputo, as suggested by the synopsis below.
“It’s dawn in the capital of Mozambique. Young people leave the nightclubs, and in the backyards, women begin their day. A man runs, a woman arrives from a trip, a tourist walks, a worker takes public transport, and the Maputo Nakuzandza radio station announces the disappearance of a bride.”
The project, which is also a kind of cinematic tourism in Maputo, was born in 2017 during a university exchange program for filmmaker Ariadine in Maputo. It arose from her fascination with the capital and the strong presence of local poetry and literary gatherings.
The 60-minute production has gained recognition in prestigious international screenings, including the Marseille International Film Festival (FIDMarseille), the Berwick Film Festival, and the Tiradentes Film Festival. It also had its television and commercial premiere on platforms such as Canal Brasil. It also won the Special Jury Prize at the Rio Film Festival.
(By MozaVibe)
