Premiere of documentary film iThemba

Harare- The United States Embassy Public Affairs Section will host the premiere of the documentary film, iThemba in Zimbabwe at Prince Edward School in Harare on Tuesday

The film follows Liyana, a band from the KGV1 School in Bulawayo, whose eight members are disabled. However, their musical passion and fierce determination took them on a dream tour to the United States of America.

U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray, Education Sports and Culture Minister David Coltart will give opening remarks. The documentary film was directed by former Fullbright alumnus, Elinor Burkett, who will be present at the premiere along with some members of Liyana.

The film, iThemba, was shot during the 2008 Zimbabwean presidential election and the country’s economic meltdown.

The film unfolds against the backdrop of political tensions and the daily struggle to find a bank that actually had cash, to buy food although store shelves were empty, and to navigate streets pocked with wheelchair-mangling potholes.

Far from being another demoralizing documentary about Africa, the film iThemba is an overly familiar tale of woe.

Rather, this film, rife with the unexpected, is a funny, poignant narrative about eight compelling young people who refuse to succumb to the stigma of disability or the collapse of their country.