Two films were launched in Malawi on the sameday on Saturday in its commercial city of Blantyre one from its renowned actor Michael Usi who is popularly known as Manganya titled Manga the international cook and another from Escape Communications titled Campus.

This was a good development for the country which continues to struggle in the music industry and is yet to break the international market.

But the questions raised were do the films have quality or else they were there just to make up numbers?

Director of the film Campus Allan Ntata boosted before the launch that his film was equally good and that it would be the first real production for the country.

Malawi recently also produced a movie titled Seasons of a Life by Shemu Joyah which did well and won awards at the Zanzibar Film Festival.

However despite that many of its films have failed to find their way on the popular Africa Magic Channel on DStv where Africans watch films showcased by Africans.

But watching Campus from the word go it showed that the film has potential and was well produced.

The audience sat attentively as they followed every scene and at some point they would clap hands and at some point they would remain quiet.

The film runs for almost 90 minutes and is set on the University of Malawi's Chancellor College in Zomba.

The film highlights several issues which happen at university campuses among them romance, demonstrations, bullying, sex and alcohol abuse.

It is a film which would change the lives of the youth in Africa and revolves around main actors Dereck Nyasulu who stars as Brian, Moses Gwaza who stars as Eric and Mwai Msungama who is a troublesome student.

Brian has a girlfriend who he insists to have sex with to prove his love but things turn to be difficult forcing him to turn to other girls. Eric also has a steady relationship but is caught up in a trap when he attends a party, gets drunk and ends up sleeping with another girl.

This puts Eric in trouble as the girl he slept with tells his girlfriend the whole issue bringing confusion in their relation.

Then there is Mwai who is a troublesome student, he takes the law in his own hands and is a ring leader. He is always in the forefront when it comes to demonstrations but the end sees him failing in his studies and getting arrested.

What attracts the audience in the film is the storyline, perfect pictures, good sound and the seriousness of the actors.

“If Malawi can produce more of such films then we are in the right direction. We need films and not episodes. This film is even much better than Nigerian films,” said Michael Sitima.

Campus has sound tracks done in English by Ntata and flows well with the scenes.
As for Manganya’s film it has been shot in four countries namely Swaziland, Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania.

The film revolves around Manganya who leaves his country for greener pasture but after spending years in different countries he achieves nothing and decides to go back home.

It’s film which tells Africans that home is best.

So far Manganya has four films to his credit namely Dr Manga, Manganya in Action, Living on Perfume and Manga the international cook.