Fumbani Innot Phiri Jnr.
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project explores the writing approach to the challenges of life for global solidarity during lockdown and isolation of which a script titled “The Wall” is produced. The script reflects on Malawian shared experiences , embodies these emotions through characters that are able to express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment, reflecting on the threats of the outside world. The writing process reflects on topics of political torture, the metaphor of isolation and insecurity with the rise of moral decadence. Fumbani Innot Phiri Jnr. uses imaginative writing based research to tackle issues about corruption, and Malawian epidemic starvation while demanding political accountability.
MALAWI | PLAYWRIGHT & DIRECTOR
Fumbani Innot Phiri Jnr. is an award-winning best co-director and three times best playwright in Malawi. He is a young dramatist, journalist, and theatre educator who has produced dramas and workshops for broadcast, stage, community, film, and schools. He is also a theatre producer, actor, director, writer at YDC Theatre. Off stage Fumban has worked widely in theatre supervision for community drama and theatre for development on socio-political issues. He has been involved in over 15 productions.
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Two youngsters Viyezgu and Zione, give a meticulous detailed account of the events of the siege, sketching out the layout of the physical wall within them, scrawling facts of political torture, the methaphore of isolation and the insecurity with the rise of moral decadence, the darkness of an unforeseen future to represent flare-ups
"They locked us down; they locked us to look for answers to these questions through this wall, these walls, what is behind them?" Viyezgu
The Actors
A special thanks to the YDC theatre actors who participated in the filming of the reading of "The Wall" by Fumban Innit Phiri Jr.
The Process: Fumbani Innot Phiri Jnr.
In the script, teh Malawian playwright introduces the audience with two youngsters: Viyezgu and Zione. These characters give a meticulously detailed account of the events of the siege, sketching out the layout of the physical wall within them, scrawling facts of political torture, the metaphor of isolation and insecurity with the rise of moral decadence, blackboards are being used as a symbolic wall, darkness and foreseen future to represent flare-ups. The imaginative front wall represents the corruption, moral decadence, isolation, solidarity, and starvation by the regime, maneuvering themselves through the tiny spaces in between. The act of remembering and recounting the events of the viral siege is treated like a game and a play, played with the utmost seriousness.
...the 12 weeks of work with CO RESIDENCY were a mix of living in the creative realm and losing the fear of solitude and depression.
"There is a fine line that separates reality and memory. Is outside desserted? That was my first reflection question I thought I might ask myself" The Wall