MATABELELAND

Chris has always believed his family is cursed — ever since his father’s brutal murder in 1983, when President Robert Mugabe orchestrated the massacre of over 20,000 people in Matabeleland, a region in southwestern Zimbabwe. Nearly four decades later, Chris, an immigrant in neighboring Botswana, struggles to support his massive family as he grapples with unpaid wages from his job, leaving him stretched thin and often absent. His girlfriend, Dumi, loves him but warns that their relationship can only continue if he finally commits to marriage. A political shift brings hope when Chris meets Shari, a woman who conducts exhumations; with her help, he can finally give his father a proper burial and lift the curse. As Chris embarks on a journey to honor his father’s memory, he faces a profound question: Will this reburial grant him the closure he has sought for so long, or will it force him to confront the consequences of his own choices? MATABELELAND is a rare yet vital exploration of vulnerability in African manhood; a personal story of how historical violence ripples through generations, shaping families, relationships and identities; and an urgent reflection on the ongoing journey toward healing. (Note courtesy of Bigger Motion.) DIR Nyasha Kadandara; PROD Sam Soko. Zimbabwe/Botswana/Kenya/Canada, 2025, color, 77 min. In English, Ndebele, Shona and Setswana with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Run Time: 77 Minutes

Opening Date: Friday, March 20, 2026

Genre: Documentary

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