A powerful new short film titled “Rise” has made history as the first from Zimbabwe to qualify for Oscar consideration. Its inspiration is even more remarkable: the true-life story of Tobias Mupfuti. As a homeless child in Victoria Falls, Mupfuti turned to boxing for survival, a decision that transformed his path. Now 38, he runs the Victoria Falls Boxing Academy, offering shelter, schooling, and training to underprivileged children. The film, starring Tongayi Chirisa, vividly portrays this journey from despair to hope. Its global festival success, including 19 awards, and historic Oscar milestone spotlight not just an individual’s resilience, but the burgeoning potential of Zimbabwe’s film industry to tell its own profound stories.
The Guardian
