Only a handful of full-length films have been produced in the country since the turn of the millennium, despite a wealth of talent in the industry. But with an all-Zimbabwean cast of young actors, veterans of the industry, and distinguished figures in music, comedy and poetry, Cook Off has battled the odds, winning awards at film festivals before attracting the attention of Netflix. Mungoshi starred in the film Neria, the first Zimbabwean film to receive international acclaim, and has experienced the ups and downs through 40 years of independence.
Most of us learned on the job back then, we had no film school. Cook Off was only possible because of a large collaboration, financial goodwill from many parties, and the sharing of resources, including the main set, which had been used for a show on national television.
One of the messages of Cook Off is that the underdog can triumph, as Anesu takes hold of her chance to shine. She works as a cook in a place serving lunches for a dollar, but dreams of opening her own business. Her son and grandmother enter her into a reality show challenge, and, despite struggles with self-belief and an adversary out to sabotage her, Anesu grows in her craft as she battles against some top chefs.
Through all of the challenges, Mungoshi believes that Zimbabwe has much to give to the world in the arts. Her husband Charles, who died last year, was an internationally acclaimed author.
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