Cynematik

Monica Mvula, Zambia

Yesterday, I had an exciting interview with Emily Dickinson scholar Martha Nell Smith. I woke up eager for the day because of an upcoming meeting with a film distributor. And, then, it all turned on a dime. An email from the director of BAD TIMING, Jabbes Mvula wrote about his younger sister, Monica.

She was wonderful when we were shooting the film. She let us use her car and her cell phone. A teacher with a shy smile, she helped us located children for several key scenes in the movie. She brought us the delightful Alisam Piri (see below). She was instrumental in completing the film.

We got word she died last week. “I wish she had seen the film screened and distributed in Zambia,” her elder brother wrote. Me, too. I suddenly felt the pressure of time, the weight of decisions, and the importance of completing creative projects. I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing.

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A post from two years ago … while we were in Africa.

BY CYNDI GREENING, PRODUCER, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – On Friday, we had a wonderful shooting experience. The folks a ZNBC, ZNIS and ZAMNET allowed us to use a soundproof stage to shoot the classroom scenes in the film. With all of the children there, the teacher and the policeman, we really needed the space. It also allowed us to build a lot more motion into the shots. We were able to use the dolly and the glidecam. We could have used a few more area lights. Of course all of the equipment means nothing if you don’t have good actors. We had some wonderful child actors. The children are so natural on camera; they aren’t self-conscious at all. In fact, they barely seem self-aware. One of my favorites was little Alisam Piri. I learned how a Zambian child indicates he doesn’t know what to do. I asked him to write his name on a piece of paper. He quickly complied. When I asked him to write his numbers, he turned his hand palm up and waved it from side to side. Monica, his teacher, said, “He doesn’t know his numbers yet.” He was a great little actor. We even made him cry on cue.

When they were acting, Jabbes promised them each a very special present. He gave them each a brand new MCC pencil of their very own. They were very excited with that gift. I can’t imagine American actors being satisfied with a pencil. Jabbes has been doing a good job with the actors. I’m surprised how well they take direction. He tells them what he’s trying to achieve and they respond so well. Even the more seasoned actors have been really great about giving him what he wants.