When the trailer for Chiwetel Ejiofor’s new film, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, was released, Malawians were split on whether to take issue with the Chichewa they heard.

As the cast included many actors from outside Malawi, some viewers were annoyed at the poor standard of their Chichewa, which makes up large parts of the film.

Others said the important thing was that they tried to make the film an authentic portrayal or rural life in the country. Chiwetel shared his thoughts with Focus on Africa’s Paul Bakibinga.

Ejiofor told BBC Focus on Africa’s Paul Bakibinga that the actors’ sensibilities were more important to him during the casting process than their familiarity with Chichewa.

Quote Message: It was more important to cast people who fit the roles very well… than just having people who could speak Chichewa well.

It was more important to cast people who fit the roles very well… than just having people who could speak Chichewa well.

Quote Message: I would say reserve judgement until you see the whole film in its entirety, and bear in mind… we’re trying to tell this story as authentically as possible.”

I would say reserve judgement until you see the whole film in its entirety, and bear in mind… we’re trying to tell this story as authentically as possible.”

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is released globally on Netflix on 1 March.

Source : BBC