The Color Purple premiers at Joina City

Ruvimbo Zhewe

THE four Ster Kinekor movie houses at Joina City in the Harare central business district will this evening premiere The Color Purple, a film adapted from American novelist Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer prize-winning book of the same title. 

The musical drama released in London on November 20, last year was produced by Steven Spielberg, arguably one of the world’s best film directors. His production partners are talk show host Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, who produced Michael Jackson’s record-breaking first solo albums and Scott Sanders. 

The award-winning film is a captivating take on the inspirational classic, starring the luminous Taraji P Henson and the soulful Fantasia Burrino. Henson is, however, accusing Winfrey of offering low pay and poor working conditions.

“The newest musical adaptation of The Color Purple has had its awards season campaign overshadowed by accusations from its stars about poor working conditions and low pay, notably from star Henson, who said she nearly walked away from the project,” Forbes.com wrote on its website. Henson, who has acted in numerous productions, feels under-appreciated despite her compelling abilities.

Ruvimbo Zhewe of Tava Tose a management consultancy company that is a tenant in the building told NewsDay Life & Style that they are undertaking a Ster Kinekor “total business development service” involving Joina City tenants and that they had crafted a total experience for movie goers.

“The Color Purple is about the importance of women and their resilience to overcome abuse and unfair labour practices at all levels of employment. We have already created a hashtag #zimpurple where we will be opening the conversation around those issues,” she said.

 Ordinary tickets are going for US$20 while VVIP ones will cost US$30, including pop-corn and juice. VVIPs will be able to interact with local celebrities Shingai, Noluntu J, Madam Boss, Prudence Katomeni Mbofana and Jesesi Mungoshi. According to organisers, all cinemas will be fun and exciting and film lovers will have an opportunity to take photographs with the stars in attendance. They also hinted at hosting an after-party at Saints and Sinners, a nightclub within Joina City.

“This is an ideal night for a date to celebrate the end of January blues while having fun. It’s time to network and understand how women's issues have evolved. 

There are also sponsorship packages available; corporates can buy out a cinema and present their products to guests including executives and the working class,” Zhewe said, adding that the price of a ticket comes with a free parking spot at Joina City.

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