We spoke with the creative team behind RISE about the film, its impact, and the stories shaping Zimbabwean cinema today. What emerged is a powerful picture of resilience, dignity and human connection, values that sit at the heart of this remarkable production.
Written and directed by Jessie J Rowlands, RISE follows a young boy living in a slum who forms an unlikely bond with a withdrawn boxing coach, a relationship that changes both their lives.
As Zimbabwe’s stories travel further than ever before, fastjet Zimbabwe continues to play a role in carrying these voices beyond borders. Through asambè, stories such as RISE reach travellers in transit, reflecting the film’s own journey from local truth to global recognition.
Since its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, making history as the first Zimbabwean film to screen there, RISE has been celebrated on more than 40 international stages and has garnered over 16 awards. Its young lead, Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, delivered a remarkable performance that earned him Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Award for Outstanding Actor, making him one of the youngest recipients.
Q: For readers who have not yet seen RISE, can you describe the emotional heart of the film?
A: RISE follows a young boy living on the streets and his fragile connection with a withdrawn boxing coach. At its core, it is not a story of rescue, but of dignity, about a child learning to insist on being seen, and an adult learning to answer that insistence. Their bond reshapes them both through persistence, trust and the quiet decision to care.
Q: The film is inspired by the real-life story of Tobias Mupfuti. How did you translate that into a universal narrative?
A: Tobias provides far more than boxing training; he feeds, houses and supports vulnerable children. What struck me most was that he became the person he once needed. Heroism often lives in small, consistent acts of care, and that truth is the beating heart of the film.
Q: What does boxing represent beyond sport?
A: In the ring, there are rules. Rise is safer there than on the dumpsite. Boxing serves as a metaphor for structure, discipline, and containment. Without giving away the ending, the real fight is internal. Tobias teaches Rise that the true opponent is fear itself. Boxing becomes a language for survival, identity and hope.
Q: The bond between Rise and Tobias feels deeply authentic. How did you shape that relationship?
A: Their relationship is not about rescue but mutual respect. They mirror one another, both shaped by loss. Rise gains mentorship and care; Tobias allows joy back into his life. I wanted to explore the tenderness of male relationships and how deeply transformative they can be when built on trust.
Q: With RISE gaining global recognition, what does this mean for Zimbabwean cinema?
A: It sends a powerful message that our stories matter. Visibility creates momentum, and momentum creates opportunity. I hope this opens doors for more Zimbabwean films to be funded, distributed and taken seriously worldwide.
CONCLUSION
RISE is more than a film; it is a statement of purpose from Zimbabwe’s creative community. Through the eyes of a young boy who refuses to be defined by circumstance, it invites audiences to reconsider strength, hope and human connection. Its journey from landfill to red carpet mirrors the resilience of a nation on the rise — a story that belongs to everyone. It is a proud moment for Zimbabwean cinema and a reminder that when stories are told with courage and heart, they can travel far beyond our borders, carrying meaning, possibility and pride for everyone.
Report by PAC | Images by RISE
