Film lovers in the country should next month look out for a new local film production, School Days, which chronicles the ills of teasing and bullying in school.

The production centres on the challenges learners encounter during their secondary school days because of teasing and bullying by their seniors.

A scene being shot on the movie set

A trailer of the movie has been released and it is set to premiere on May 5 at Bingu International Convention Centre auditorium in Lilongwe.

Producers of the movie say the film seeks to remind the older generation what they went through while at the same time advocating against the vice among current learners. The film has been co-produced by musician-cum-actor Kendall Kamwendo and Lawrence Nyale.

The movie depicts bullying as the central theme with the key actors exhibiting mature acting by imitating real life scenarios in schools back in the days.

The school scenes are also real schools with extras, thereby adding colour and authenticity to the movie.

The movie takes viewers to the classroom situation, dormitories and school grounds, among other places.

In an interview yesterday, Kamwendo said vandalism of school property by learners is often sparked by tendencies such as teasing and bullying.

“The issue has negative effects on both the perpetrators and the victims. Some learners have developed a mentality that they are above reproach such that when the authorities caution them, they resort to violence and vandalism,” he said.

Kamwendo said though the practice looks fun when engaging in it, it has the potential to leave long-lasting effects such as trauma on victims. He said he hopes the film will help rally all concerned stakeholders to fight against the malpractice.

He said: “After the premiere, we have planned to tour schools to screen the film. We need to show the learners the other side of the vice and increase awareness on its dangers.”

The film has been produced under the 4Kaya Films Inc. production company and its production budget is in excess of K20 million.

Some of the actors in the movie include Kamwendo, musician Rudo Mkukupa-Chakwera, Amos Filisa, Tumpe Ntaya, Desire Namachotsa, Yvonne Chanache, Brave Chirwa and Dalitso Chimombo.

In a separate interview, Nyale thanked the organisations and companies they partnered in producing the film such as Beacon Printers, Umodzi Park, SkyLine International, Hi-Fi Electronics, Mathumela Music Company, Merit Commercials and Wheel Masters. “These partners have helped us to realise our dream to produce this movie. We would like to ask others to come forward and partner us for the premiere as there are so many things we need to do to make the event colourful and successful,” he said.

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