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Neria (film)

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

{{Infobox film

| name = Neria

| image =Neria poster.jpg

| caption = Movie Poster

| director = Godwin Mawuru

| producer = John Riber
Louise Riber

|story=Tsitsi Dangarembga

| writer = Louise Riber

| starring = Jesese Mungoshi
Anthony Chinyanga
Dominic Kanaventi
Kubi Indi
Oliver Mtukudzi

| music = Oliver Mtukudzi

| cinematography = John Riber

| editing =Louise Riber

| distributor =KJM3 Entertainment Group{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/reviews/neria-1200431918/|title=Neria|first1=Lawrence|last1=Cohn|date=27 April 1993}}

| studio = Media for Development International

| released = {{Film date|1991|||Zimbabwe}}

| runtime = 103 minutes

| country = Zimbabwe

| language = English

| budget =

| gross =

}}

Neria is a Zimbabwean film made in 1993, written by the novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OhAiAQAAIAAJ&q=neria+1993|title=Bending Tradition to the Changing Times: The Use of Video as an Empowerment Tool in Nonformal Adult Education in Zimbabwe|first=Christine|last=Hausmann|date=3 May 2004|publisher=Transaction Publishers|isbn=9783889397324|via=Google Books}} It is directed by Godwin Mawuru and the screenplay was written by Louise Riber. It is the highest-grossing film in Zimbabwean history.LEZ, [https://ezimbabwe.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/from-neria-to-zollywood-the-state-of-zimbabwean-film/ "From Neria to Zollywood: The State of Zimbabwean Film"], eZimbabwe, 7 September 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FtRGAAAAYAAJ&q=neria+1991|title=Zambezia|date=3 May 1996|publisher=University College of Rhodesia|via=Google Books}}

The film concerns the struggles of a woman in a suburb of the capital; Harare, Warren Park, in Zimbabwe when she is widowed after her husband is killed in an accident. Her husband's older brother takes advantage of the death of his younger brother, and uses the inheritance for self-benefit at the expense of Neria and her two children. Its soundtrack, Neria remains one of the most celebrated Zimbabwean songs.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/nerianrkempley_a0a372.htm|first=Rita|last=Kempley|title='Neria' (NR)|date=1993-04-09|accessdate=2007-04-15|newspaper=The Washington Post}} The soundtrack of the film was sung by Oliver Mtukudzi.

Plot

Harare, 1990. Neria and Patrick, a married couple, both work and earn money in the city and live a modern egalitarian lifestyle. But when Patrick is killed in an accident, his family uses traditional Shona custom to deprive Neria of her property and children.The film starts showing Neria and Patrick enjoying a modern life in the city with their two children. The couple goes to visit their family in the rural where they are persuaded by Patrick's mother to stay home rather than in the suburbs away from the rest of the family. Patrick objects stating that he and Neria have built a home in the suburb and their life belongs there. Back in the city, Patrick's car refuses to start as he wants to go to work, he then uses the bicycle instead. On his way from work his bicycle is hit by a truck and he dies on the spot.

Cast

Release

Neria was released in 1991.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FtRGAAAAYAAJ&q=neria++|title=Zambezia|date=3 May 1996|publisher=University College of Rhodesia|via=Google Books}} The VHS went on sale in July 1992.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6O3vOk5jqYC&q=neria+1991|title=Bowker's Complete Video Directory 2001|first=R. R. Bowker|last=Publishing|date=3 March 2001|publisher=R. R. Bowker LLC|isbn=9780835244220|via=Google Books}}

Neria won the Best Soundtrack award from South African station M-Net in 1992.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tEoUAQAAIAAJ&q=neria+1991|title=Music Workbook: Zimbabwe Versus the World|first=Fred|last=Zindi|date=3 May 2003|publisher=Zindisc|via=Google Books}}

Neria was released in the United States in 1993, which is why it is sometimes erroneously given the date of 1993.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VtKm-e94lAUC&q=neria+1993|title=Africa Development|date=3 May 2010|publisher=Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa|via=Google Books}} The Chicago Tribune gave it two and a half stars.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-11-12-9311130175-story.html|title='NERIA' WORKS BETTER AS AFRICAN FABLE THAN ART MOVIE|first=John|last=Petrakis|website=chicagotribune.com}}

Neria Remake 2024

A [https://www.herald.co.zw/neria-remake-premieres-today/ remake] of the film, titled Neria 21, was released in March 2024 on Rawsoot Studios' YouTube channel. The new version reprises the theme of the challenges and injustices women face, though now in the context of the 21st century and the modern digital age. {{Cite web |last=projects |first=Webdev-Fintech web |date=2024-03-18 |title=“Neria21”: A powerful modern take on women’s struggles |url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/neria21-a-powerful-modern-take-on-womens-struggles/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Chronicle |language=en}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • {{IMDb title | id=0107670 | title=Neria }}
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV6aQiUTEq8 Neria] on YouTube

Category:1991 films

Category:Zimbabwean drama films

Category:Films shot in Zimbabwe

Category:1990s feminist films

Category:Films set in 1990

Category:1990s English-language films

Category:Films by Tsitsi Dangarembga

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