Escape: a film noir fairy tale is the first feature film by Thinking Films, a joint venture by Dr Agnieszka Piotrowska from the University’s School of Media Arts and Production, and one of Zimbabwe’s premiere filmmakers Joe Njagu. Dr Piotrowska and Njagu were also nominated for Best Directors.

The film was met with praise and acclaim when it premiered at the festival, where hundreds of people had gathered to watch it.

“Hundreds of people turned up to watch the film. The festival organisers had no option but to hire another cinema to accommodate the crowds but many people were still turned away,” said Dr Piotrowska.

“Even some members of the production team and the cast and crew had to sit on the cinema’s stairs it was so packed.  People clapped during the film and we got a standing ovation at the end.”

Zimbabwean critics described the film as ‘a revelation both because of its content and style,’ with local media also praising the film for its bold storyline and excellent performances from the cast.

Find out more about the reaction from Zimbabwean media here:

• ‘Escape’ sets a new standard for Zimbabwean films – Zimbo Jam
• Huge excitement at ‘Escape’ première – Harare News
• Escape producers eye international market – NewsDay
• Selmor speaks on ‘Escape’ erotic scenes – Daily News

The film went on to be nominated for several other awards at the festival, with many of the cast being named Best Actor and Best Actress.

Escape follows Charles, a mixed race man in his twenties who discovers that his mother lied about his father’s true identity. On her deathbed, she urges him to go to Zimbabwe and find his father. The audience follows him to Harare, where he becomes caught up in an intriguing tale of love, lust, mystery and murder.