Cook Off

When single mother Anesu (Tendaiishe Chitima) is secretly entered into a reality television cooking competition by her son, she must overcome the disapproval of her mother and the rivalry of professional chefs. She also finds love during the competition.

• Tendaiishe Chitima as Anesu
• Fungai Majaya as Milly Ann
• Tehn Diamond as Prince
• Tomas Brickhill as JJ
• Jesese Mungoshi as Anesu's grandmother
• Shingai Shoniwa (cameo appearance)
• Sylent Nqo

The principal photography of the film commenced in 2017 when Robert Mugabe was still the president of Zimbabwe. The initial days of the shooting procedure of the film was disrupted by regular power cuts and the production team was forced to hire power generator for the shooting.{{Cite web|title='Cook Off': The Zimbabwe film that defied all odds to reach Netflix|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/05/31/cook-off-the-zimbabwe-film-that-defied-all-odds-to-reach-netflix.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=The Jakarta Post|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Cotterill|first=Joseph|date=2020-07-03|title=The Zimbabwean romcom and Netflix: 'Now it's Africans telling stories'|url=https://www.ft.com/content/be04b6b1-d4ef-48d4-a9de-0df596c9345e|access-date=2020-10-05|website=www.ft.com|language=en-GB}} The film budget was limited to only food and bottled water for the cast and crew members. The daily budget limit was estimated around $20 equivalent to 18 euros which was insufficient to meet the expenditure on bottled mineral water. The film cast and crew consisted mostly of young artistes and film producer Njagu reportedly made deferred contracts with the cast and crew members instead of making an agreement for an immediate payment due to financial tussles. According to the lead actress of the film Chitima, none of the cast members had not received the payment for their work and efforts in the film.{{Cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=2020-05-31|title=Cook Off, the no-budget romcom that became the first Zimbabwean film on Netflix|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/31/cook-off-the-no-budget-romcom-that-became-the-first-zimbabwean-film-on-netflix|access-date=2020-10-05|issn=0261-3077}} By December 2020 all cast and crew had received payment in full. The film was completed with a low initial budget of only $8000.{{Cite web|title='Cook Off': The Zimbabwean film that defied all the odds|url=https://www.news24.com/channel/movies/news/cook-off-the-zimbabwean-film-that-defied-all-the-odds-20200601|access-date=2020-10-05|website=Channel}}{{Cite web|date=2020-06-24|title=Comment une comédie romantique sur Netflix a été réalisée avec 8 000 dollars|url=https://www.bbc.com/afrique/region-53166555|access-date=2020-10-05|website=BBC News Afrique|language=fr}}

The portions of the film were predominantly shot on the sets of ZBC TV's reality show Battle of the Chefs: Harare, a Zimbabwean version of the popular American reality television show Top Chef.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-02|title=Zimbabwe romcom 'Cook Off' delights on Netflix debut|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20200602-zimbabwe-romcom-cook-off-delights-on-netflix-debut-mugabe-tendaiishe-chitima|access-date=2020-10-05|website=RFI|language=en}} The film shooting proceeded in the sets of the Battle of the Chefs at a time when the show went off-air. The film director Brickhill in an interview with The Guardian revealed that the film wouldn't have materialized without the support of Battle of the Chefs sets and financial support from voluntary donors. The cast members also used the costumes, props and cooking pots from the sets of the Battle of the Chefs.

Popular UK indie rock band Noisettes was roped into feature in the soundtrack of the film. Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes band was also roped into play the cameo appearance in the film.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-10|title=Game of Thrones Star Celebrates First Zimbabwean Movie on Netflix|url=https://iharare.com/first-zimbabwean-movie-on-netflix/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=iHarare News|language=en-GB}} The shooting was also delayed on few occasions as few of the cast members were unable to commit to the schedule allocated to them due to the tear gas and riots in Harare which erupted against Robert Mugabe's administration.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-30|title='Cook Off': the Zimbabwe film that defied all odds to reach Netflix|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200530-cook-off-the-zimbabwe-film-that-defied-all-odds-to-reach-netflix|access-date=2020-10-05|website=France 24|language=en}} Despite the odds and obstacles, the film production regained momentum after the infamous successful ousting of Robert Mugabe on 17 November 2017.

The film had its debut release in a homemade cinema at the rooftop of the New Ambassador Hotel in Harare on 31 December 2017 and was later released at the Reps Theatre.{{Cite web|title='Cook Off' movie premiers on high note|url=https://www.herald.co.zw/cook-off-movie-premiers-on-high-note/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=The Herald|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=2020-07-27|title=Cook Off, ZBC ink screening deal|url=https://thezimbabwedaily.com/news/500562-cook-off-zbc-ink-screening-deal.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=The Zimbabwe Daily|language=en-US|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001121451/https://thezimbabwedaily.com/news/500562-cook-off-zbc-ink-screening-deal.html|url-status=dead}} Soon after its theatrical release, the film was screened at various international film festivals held in South Africa, Netherlands, US, Botswana, Kenya, Swaziland, Belgium and New Zealand. The film was officially selected for premiere at the Nairobi Film Festival (June 2019), Cambria Film Festival, Rotterdam International Film Festival (January 2020), Seattle International Film Festival (May–June 2018), Afrika Film Festival (May 2019), Bushfire Festival (May 2019), Auckland New Zealand African Film Festival (February 2019), Zimbabwe International Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Silicon Valley African Film Festival (July 2018), Cannes Festival International du Film Pan-Africain (April 2019) and at the Durban International Film Festival (July 2018).{{Cite web|title=Local film goes to Durban festival|url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/local-film-goes-to-durban-festival/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=The Chronicle|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=#DIFF First post-Mugabe Zimbabwean film to premiere in Durban|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/diff-first-post-mugabe-zimbabwean-film-to-premiere-in-durban-16157019|access-date=2020-10-05|website=www.iol.co.za|language=en}} It also became the first Zimbabwean film in 22 years after Neria to have officially selected at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.{{Cite web|date=2018-01-15|title=Zimbabwean Movie, Cook Off selected for the International Film Festival Rotterdam|url=https://www.creativeloop.co.zw/2018/01/zimbabwean-movie-cook-off-selected-international-film-festival-rotterdam/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=Creative Loop|language=en-US}} The film was opened to generally mixed reviews from critics.{{Cite web|last1=Zvomuya|first1=Percy|date=2020-07-07|title=Film Review {{!}} Cook Off|url=https://www.newframe.com/film-review-cook-off/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=New Frame|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125113618/https://www.newframe.com/film-review-cook-off/|url-status=dead}} The film had its London premiere at the Mayfair Hotel on 27 July 2019 and also featured in BBC World Service.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/cook-off-movie-set-for-uk-premiere/|title='Cook Off' movie set for UK premiere|date=3 July 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Zimbabwe's first post-Mugabe feature film - to premiere in the UK|url=https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-166840.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=Bulawayo24 News}}{{Cite web|date=2019-07-04|title=Zimbabwe: 'Cook Off' Movie Set for UK Premiere|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201907040212.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=allAfrica.com|language=en}}

It was reported that the American streaming platform Netflix during mid March 2020 sealed a deal with the filmmakers in order to obtain the streaming rights of the film for an undisclosed record price.{{Cite web|last=Zimoyo|first=Tafadzwa|date=2020-05-11|title=Zimbabwe: 'Cook Off' in Milestone Netflix Deal|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202005110327.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=allAfrica.com|language=en}} The director also refused to disclose the amount regarding the Netflix deal.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-11|title=Zimbabwe's Award-Winning Film 'Cook Off' On Netflix Screens|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202005110232.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=allAfrica.com|language=en}} In May 2020, the filmmakers confirmed that the film would be released in Netflix platform in an official announcement in Twitter.{{Cite web|last=Leandra Engelbrecht|date=2020-05-26|title=South Africa: Netflix to Stream Zimbabwean Rom-Com 'Cook Off'|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202005260791.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=allAfrica.com|language=en}} It also marked the first instance where Netflix acquired a Zimbabwean film.{{Cite news|date=2020-05-27|title='Cook Off' heats up: Netflix debut a triumph for Zimbabwe film|work=Christian Science Monitor|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2020/0527/Cook-Off-heats-up-Netflix-debut-a-triumph-for-Zimbabwe-film|access-date=2020-10-05|issn=0882-7729}} The film made its debut in Netflix on 1 June 2020 after two and a half years since its theatrical release in Zimbabwe. It also became Zimbabwe's first feature film to be released via Netflix.{{Cite news|last=Dzirutwe|first=MacDonald|date=2020-06-01|title=Zimbabwean film industry makes Netflix debut with 'Cook Off'|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-film-netflix-idUSKBN23821E|access-date=2020-10-05}} The film was deemed as relatively unknown by most of the Zimbabwean people until its release in Netflix.{{Cite web|date=June 2, 2020|title=Zimbabwean film Cook Off debuts on OTT. We also have nice stories, says producer Joe Njagu|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/story/zimbabwean-film-cook-off-debuts-on-ott-we-also-have-nice-stories-says-producer-joe-njagu-1684648-2020-06-02|access-date=2020-10-05|website=India Today|agency=Reuters|language=en}}

The television rights of the film was bought by the state channel ZBC Television and the film made its television debut on 11 August 2020.{{Cite web|last=Darmalingum|first=Yuveshen|date=2020-07-31|title=Zimbabwe's First Movie On Netflix "Cook Off" to Be Aired On ZBC|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202007310280.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=allAfrica.com|language=en}}

The film received few awards and nominations at film festivals. It bagged a total of four awards at the film festivals, including two each at the 2020 Cambria Film Festival.{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=News|title=Cambria Film Festival announces winners|url=https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/cambria-film-festival-announces-winners/103142/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=pasoroblesdailynews.com|date=11 February 2020|language=en-US}} and Zimbabwe International Film Festival.{{Cite web|last=Marunya|first=Kundai|date=2020-02-12|title=Zimbabwe: 'Cook Off' Bags Two More Awards|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202002120213.html|access-date=2020-10-05|website=allAfrica.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title='Cook Off' bags two more awards|url=https://www.herald.co.zw/cook-off-bags-two-more-awards/|access-date=2020-10-05|website=The Herald|language=en-GB}} The film also received two National Arts Merit Awards presented by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in 2019.

• Tanyaradzwa
• List of Zimbabwean films

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|id=tt7981318}}
• {{Netflix title}}
• http://cookoffthemovie.com/colibri-wp/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808150110/http://cookoffthemovie.com/colibri-wp/ |date=8 August 2020 }}

Category:2017 films

Category:Zimbabwean comedy films

Category:2017 romantic comedy films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:English-language Zimbabwean films

Category:English-language romantic comedy films