After electrifying audiences in Lilongwe with a record-breaking premiere, the Malawian film Welcome to Maula Prison, produced by 4Kaya Studios, continued its momentum on Saturday evening at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.
Although the screening was delayed due to technical glitches and started at 8:50 PM instead of the scheduled 7:00 PM, the excitement among movie lovers remained high; the venue was packed with over a thousand patrons, with some forced to stand throughout the screening due to limited seating.
Speaking after the event, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Honourable. Joyce Chitsulo expressed her admiration for the film.
“The film is exciting, exceptionally well-produced, and feels remarkably authentic. It’s so impressive, one might not believe it’s a Malawian production. My sincere thanks go to the production team and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) for their sponsorship. This demonstrates the success of the government’s efforts to support local artists,” she said.
She further emphasised that such initiatives underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to promoting the creative sector and uplifting Malawian talent.
Speaking to the media, Public Relations Officer for the movie, Desiree Namachotsa, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming turnout.
“We are very grateful to the people of Blantyre. The turnout exceeded our expectations to the point where we had to extend the venue setup to accommodate everyone. It shows that Malawians are ready to support local content,” she said.
She disclosed that the film cost approximately K40 million to produce and took about eight months to complete, hence stressed the importance of establishing sustainable distribution methods for the Malawian film industry.
“As Malawians, we need to support the industry by recognising that we need returns for our investments. That was why we halted the premiere when we discovered that one patron was live streaming our movie,” she explained.
The film, which was sponsored by MACRAs Universal Service Fund with k17 million along with other partners, has already generated positive feedback as audiences were seen singing along with songs from the movie, demonstrating strong public engagement.
Paul Chiwalo, one of the attendees, also praised the movie and its potential impact.
“It was exciting. After the success of their previous film, School Days, people had high expectations for this one, and it truly delivers. I believe our film industry is moving in the right direction,” he said.
The event also attracted prominent figures in the Malawian film industry, including renowned filmmaker Shemu Joyah and other notable personalities.
The tour continues, with the next premiere scheduled for Mzuzu today.
