By Burnett Munthali
The highly anticipated Malawian film The Gunless Soldier is now expected to cost around MK20 million, movie director and producer Joyce Chavula announced on Monday. Initially budgeted at MK15 million, production costs increased due to various additional requirements during filming.
Inspired by true events, The Gunless Soldier features a cast of 68 people, including 6 main actors, 12 supporting actors, and 50 extras. The film tells the compelling story of a young girl seeking revenge for her mother’s death, joining a group on a mission to track down and confront the killer.
Among the main cast are some of Malawi’s notable actors, including Ashukile Mwakisulu, Kelvin Ngoma, Edwin Chonde, Mphatso Chikuni, Neria Chikhosi, and newcomer Lillian Sangano, who takes on a lead role in her film debut.
Chavula, who also plays a role in the film, shared updates about the production’s progress, stating, “We are currently in the final stages of editing and working on the technical aspects. As for the premiere date, not yet, but hopefully before the year ends.”
The increase in production costs reflects the complexity of bringing this dramatic story to life, with Chavula noting that additional expenses were incurred to meet the high standards the team set for the project. Despite the challenges, the director remains optimistic about delivering a powerful cinematic experience.
Behind-the-scenes images from the production, which have been shared, offer a glimpse of the hard work and dedication of the cast and crew as they push toward completing the film. The Gunless Soldier is poised to be one of Malawi’s standout films, with its release eagerly awaited by local audiences.
