ARTICLE BY: JULIET KAMANGA
Vaya is the next exciting film to hit South African screens next Friday, 27 October, 2017. The award-winning feature film, directed by Akin Omotoso who also directed the romantic comedy film ‘Tell Me Sweet Something’ will most likely blow our minds. For those who do not know, Vaya is a film about three strangers boarding a train to Johannesburg; all on separate mission they need to complete. However, they are betrayed by the people who were meant to keep them safe and they are left alone in Johannesburg to fend for themselves. Vaya interweaves three separate plots that intersect and intertwine in a gripping, deeply moving and often funny narrative about struggling for survival and dignity in the city.
The plot in itself is exciting and something new for the South African screens. Another exciting factor is the actors chosen to portray the characters, as much as every great film needs a great director, every great director needs amazing actors. Vaya is opening doors for new faces in the feature film space. Faces such as Zimkhiti Nyokz, known for her roles in Gold Diggers and Mutual Friends, Nyokz will be hitting the big screen as Zanele: a young woman, on her way to meet her mother. Zanele has big dreams for fame. She arrives in Johannesburg with hopeful eyes and promises but is met with unexpected circumstances. It will be exciting to see how Nyokz takes on such a drama filled role.
Sihle Xaba plays the role of Nhlanhla, a young man in search for wealth in the City of Gold. He is promised a job from his cousin that will lead him to riches but the job is not at all what he expected. Xaba is no stranger to the big screen as he won an award for Best Young Actor in the African Movie Academy Awards for his role in Otelo Burning.
Msimang Sibusiso, is a new comer to the industry, he portrays the role of Xolani. Xolani is meant to retrieve the remains of his deceased father in Johannesburg but they are nowhere to be found. He is sent on a search to find his father’s body and along the way he finds out about the secret life his father lead. Of all the cast members, it will be exciting to see how newcomer Sibusiso handled being in front of the camera with the likes of award-winning actor and actress; Warren Masemola and Harriet Manamela.
‘Vaya’ has caught the attention of many film lovers, nationally and internationally with the promising cinematics and talent seen in the trailer. The exclusive first viewing in Rosebank was an exciting event, and the official opening will definitely fill up the cinema.
