Lerato Matheka
MASERU — A sequel to Kau la Poho, an HIV and Aids prevention film, is set to hit the screens next month.
The 90 minute film was shot in February and is in its final stages before its premiere.
The director of Kau la Poho 2, Silas Monyatsi, told Xpress People that viewers should brace themselves for exciting times as the film features the talented Tseko Monaheng, Candy Ramainoane and Motjoka ‘Jokes’ Ramonono.
“The production is of higher quality and features very interesting actors like Tseko Monaheng, Candy Ramainoane, Gift Leatlela from South Africa and Motjoka ‘Jokes’ Ramonono.”
Monyatsi added: “The film is still aimed at communicating HIV and Aids prevention messages and this time we are looking at issues like male circumcision, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, intergenerational and transactional sex and adherence to anti-retroviral treatment.
“The film is in its final stages and is expected to premiere end of June.”
Monyatsi said the film was made for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“(The) WHO sponsored research and script development of the film while the Ministry of Finance and Development and Global Fund’s Coordinating Unit sponsored a large part of the production,” he said.
He added that the film’s focus has slightly shifted from Letata played by Motjoka ‘Jokes’ Ramonono to Jeff and Pinkie Played by Shoaepane Sehahle and Relebohile Mafisa, a couple living with HIV.
“The drama is still high with Letata looking to search for his belongings from Jeff and Pinkie negotiating life through living with HIV.
“The film employed a total of 118 people including the crew and the cast.
“It also created a lot of business for entrepreneurs as we hired eight vehicles and engaged some caterers,” Monyatsi said.
The film’s production costs amounted to approximately M1.3 million.
“We had 11 people trained on the spot in the field of camera operations, lighting, make-up and props as capacity building for future film productions,” the director said.
Monyatsi said the film is targeting people aged between 12 and 60.
“The film is looking to impact on behaviour change and from observation and testimony, the first part of Kau la Poho had a big impact on behaviour change and voluntary testing.”
“The new film will be distributed countrywide at stakeholders’ offices and youth centres,” he said.
With the improved quality, Monyatsi hoped to see international recognition for the sequel.
“Kau la Poho 1 saw huge international recognition at different film festivals. I believe with the HD format production which is internationally recognised quality, part two will overshine the first.”
Monyatsi said he worked with Lesedi Mokhele on the first Kau la Poho which was extracted from a radio drama while this time around he worked with Lesotho Times journalist Caswell Tlali on script development.
Kau La poho 1 which was released in 2008 received international recognition and was among the African films that were shortlisted for the Zanzibar film festival in 2009 and 2010.
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