‘Welcome to Maula Prison’ film budget swells to K40m

By Jimmy ChazamaProducers of award winning film School Days, 4 Kaya Film Production, on Monday announced the release of a trailer for their new movie titled Welcome to Maula Prison ahead of its premiere next month.According to the producers, the film’s budget stretched to K40 million, with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority Universal (Macra), Service through Fund, contributing K17 million.One of the members of the production team, Kendall Kamwendo of the Symon and Kendall music fame, who also stars in the film, said at a press briefing in Lilongwe that the movie required a lot of work.“We had a different budget when we were beginning the assignment but it increased along the way. There was just so much work but the mission was all about telling a Malawian story and striving for quality,” he said. Kendall said they were good to go and screen the movie.The producer’s communication officer, Desiree Namachotsa, who is also part of the cast for the film, said Welcome to Maula Prison is a continuation of their success in School Days, which generated a lot of views on social media. “Welcome to Maula Prison is a unique story that has been told differently. Through this f ilm, we are trying to bridge the gap between the community and those in prison.There should be acceptance by the community when prisoners serve their sentences,” Namachotsa said. Namachotsa, who is drama matron at Lilongwe Girls Secondary School, said the production of the film took almost seven months. Malawi Prison Service spokesperson Steve Meke said they were looking forward to the movie and that they accepted its shooting at Maula Prison in Lilongwe because the film depicts prison life.“We are happy to be part of this film project because it will help bring awareness on prison life and reformation and, at the same time, highlight the work that we, as Malawi Prison Service, do,” Meke said. Head of Universal Service Fund Ronald Tembo assured the creative sector of its full support.“This production falls under what we call the Local Content Development Programme which aims to advance useful content. The project has, this far, disbursed K120 million,” Tembo said.Shot at Maula Prison in Lilongwe, the film features a huge cast that includes over 100 inmates. Apart from Kendall and Namachotsa, other actors starring in the film include Tumpe Mtaya, Mphatso Machira, Amos Msekandiana and Ian Chitsekula.The film’s premieres at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on May 2 followed by screenings at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre and Chisanga Complex in Mzuzu on May 3 and May 4, respectively.

By Jimmy Chazama Producers of award winning film School Days, 4 Kaya Film Production, on Monday announced the release of a trailer for their new movie titled Welcome to Maula Prison ahead of its premiere next month . According to the producers, the film’s budget stretched to K40 million, with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority Universal (Macra), Service through Fund, contributing K17 million. One of the members of the production team, Kendall Kamwendo of the Symon and Kendall music fame, who also stars in the film, said at a press briefing in Lilongwe that the movie required a lot of work.

“We had a different budget when we were beginning the assignment but it increased along the way. There was just so much work but the mission was all about telling a Malawian story and striving for quality,” he said. Kendall said they were good to go and screen the movie.

The producer’s communication officer, Desiree Namachotsa, who is also part of the cast for the film, said Welcome to Maula Prison is a continuation of their success in School Days, which generated a lot of views on social media. “Welcome to Maula Prison is a unique story that has been told differently. Through this f ilm, we are trying to bridge the gap between the community and those in prison.

There should be acceptance by the community when prisoners serve their sentences,” Namachotsa said. Namachotsa, who is drama matron at Lilongwe Girls Secondary School, said the production of the film took almost seven months. Malawi Prison Service spokesperson Steve Meke said they were looking forward to the movie and that they accepted its shooting at Maula Prison in Lilongwe because the film depicts prison life.

“We are happy to be part of this film project because it will help bring awareness on prison life and reformation and, at the same time, highlight the work that we, as Malawi Prison Service, do,” Meke said. Head of Universal Service Fund Ronald Tembo assured the creative sector of its full support. “This production falls under what we call the Local Content Development Programme which aims to advance useful content.

The project has, this far, disbursed K120 million,” Tembo said. Shot at Maula Prison in Lilongwe, the film features a huge cast that includes over 100 inmates. Apart from Kendall and Namachotsa, other actors starring in the film include Tumpe Mtaya, Mphatso Machira, Amos Msekandiana and Ian Chitsekula.

The film’s premieres at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on May 2 followed by screenings at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre and Chisanga Complex in Mzuzu on May 3 and May 4, respectively..