Umunthu
by Mwizalero Nyirenda
Malawi, 2013
synopsis
Filmmaker Mwizalero Nyirenda goes on a minibus journey with two friends who have opposing views on same-sex criminalization. They talk to outspoken public figures and everyday Malawians to debate the issue. Using the pan-African philosophy of tolerance, <em>Umunthu</em> , the film searches for an indigenous response to an issue that some in Africa label as a Western import.
about the director
Born in Northern Malawi, Mwizalero Nyirenda studied humanities at the University of Malawi. He works as a photographer, screenwriter, director, and producer. He lives in Lilongwe, Malawi. Mwiza has written four short films and directed documentaries. His film Umunthu (2013) has won the Ousmane Sembene prize at the Zanzibar International Film Festival and has been screened internationally at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, Boston International Film Festival, Harvard University and Boston University, UCLA, as well as at several academic institutions in Malawi.