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A FIRST: Filmmaker Ntshavheni wa Luruli is fast becoming a force in the film industry.

 After I was turned down several times I decided to make a feature film from a novel of the same title 

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His film Elelwani, the first feature film in Tshivenda, is one of the most unlikely success stories in filmmaking this year.

The film will "open" The Durban International Film Festival. It is the 33rd edition of South Africa's largest and longest-running film festival.

The ground-breaking premiere takes place next Thursday. The film deals with the collision between modernity and traditionalism.

How did the movie come about?

"Elelwani was one of the four novels by renowned author Dr Titus Maumela that I wanted to adapt fortelevision," Luruli says.

"But after I was turned down several times I decided to make a feature film from a novel of the same title."

Luruli was also inspired to do the film because he feels that not only is Tshivenda marginalised in films but feels that the Venda people have always been treated as underdogs .

"We grew up despised and spat at by other groups in South Africa," Luruli laments.

"We were called names and deemed worthless. Unfortunately, this trend continues (even) today.

"Many Venda and Shangaan people were killed during the xenophobia riots," he says.

Luruli adds that making the film was not a stroll in the park.

"I did not have a script when they started production. The crew was absolutely terrified.

"Then we were rained out during the shoot. It was literally raining every day in Venda.

"The local Venda people were very generous in helping us with everything we needed, especially his majesty King Kennedy Tshivhase, who allowed us to shoot at his royal residence, which is unheard of. So to him I say, long live the king," Luruli says.

He says it was not easy to translate written narratives into film, but praises popular actress Florence Masebe, who plays the main character for carrying the film excellently.

"Luckily, she is a Muvenda, and she understands the culture very well," wa Luruli explains. "She was my choice right from the start.

"The rest are a mixture of actors and non-actors, since there are no Venda stories that are told that could help cultivate a professional acting experience."

Luruli adds there are virtually no theatre, television or movie drama scripts in Tshivenda, there is a small pool of experienced professional Venda-speaking actors.

"A handful have been able to get some kind of acting experience in a local soapie.

"So I mixed the experienced ones and non actors.

"They all did a fabulous job. You've got to see the film. The cast isabsolutely great."

Comments

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Wed Jun 19 03:17:06 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 13, 2012

nono85y8

Wow cant wait to watch it... At least Venda people will get recognition from everybody.
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Jul 13, 2012

kataleya

thinking paying for mavhenda movie ga ke tlhanye
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Jul 13, 2012

DJWinner

They must provide english subtitles or else nobody will understand it. I can't wait to see Venda ladies, abo Beyonce.
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Jul 13, 2012

imbabazane

Victim Mentality. Venda is a small Language......live with that. Small languages are the First to Die, so Venda is going to Die in about 4 generations, reality of life. Even Jesus Christ's Language, Palistinian Aramaic died.
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Jul 13, 2012

Chieftancy

@kataleya
thinking paying for mavhenda movie ga ke tlhanye
Stay blessed & Sane !!!!!!

@comtsotsi
Im sure this movie is about Witchcraft.Been to Tzaneen once and i will neva go back again.Kuyathakathwa Laphaya

Little knowledge is dangerous get your facts before you pen down nonsense who told you that Tzaneen is in Venda ??????

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Jul 13, 2012

MyPot

Vho sathane habe ni do vhalavhala badi hanga ani lowi ngeno magegulu a KZN asa kandwi mitshila, vhathu vha KZN na Gauteng na hothe hothe yanu fela ha mbokota hangei. nazwino zulu achi nga fi ngori ri ca di toda dzi receptionist dzisa koni english ca dzi department dzashu..............zulu speaking only
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Jul 13, 2012

MyPot

comtsotsi

Im sure this movie is about Witchcraft.Been to Tzaneen once and i will neva go back again.Kuyathakathwa Laphaya
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
mxm.....we dont know you, u might be one of the strongest and very scary that people dont even make friends with you.
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Jul 13, 2012

t-naslerethe

Whatever u r smoking is taking its toll on you ga re loyi ,u'r bloody agent
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@comtsotsi
Im sure this movie is about Witchcraft.Been to Tzaneen once and i will neva go back again.Kuyathakathwa Laphaya.
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

iPhone4

Another Muvhango?
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Jul 13, 2012

Vendablood12

@iphone

if it is then what???

we all know the most blver of witch craft are zulus. and most gays are tswana. deal with that first b4 u act all beta and very usefull while u not. ur girls are fighting for us like they want to touch jesus's cloth or something nxa
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