SA slams ‘Piano Love’: ‘It should be on Mzansi Biskop’

Rapper Kwesta, whose real name is Senzo Vilakazi, made his acting debut in the film Piano Love by Black Brain Pictures, starring alongside Bontle Modiselle.

KWESTA AND BONTLE MODISELLE: LATEST ROLES

South Africans took to social media this week to criticise the Netflix’s film, Piano Love.

The Black Brain production stars musician Kwesta, former Scandal! star Given Stuurman as well as actors Bheki Sibiya and Peter Mashigo.

The latest film by Mandla N failed to impress South Africans, who revealed on social media that it should have premiered on Mzansi Biokop (DStv channel 163).

Mandla recently confirmed to TshisaLIVE that the film depicts the state of the music scene in South Africa today. 

“I had to do something nice and huge for the culture. I couldn’t find anyone to finance so I financed it myself and sold it to Netflix,” says Mandla.

Mandla also revealed that the Ngud hitmaker make his acting debut and was coached and trained to get him camera-ready.

The rapper Kwesta tells Sowetan that he initially turned down the role until filmmaker Mandla N changed his mind.

“The idea of acting has always been there. I’d always tell my friends, ‘Yazi one day, I’d like to try out acting’. But it wasn’t something I’d follow through,” he said. 

“I’d often say I’ll produce a funny movie and just act in it for the fun of it, not in a serious way, because I respect the art and the craft immensely and I wouldn’t want to disrespect it. This is why I initially said ‘no’ to Mandla when he called and told me about the script and the idea of me playing lead in his film.”

Vilakazi adds that Mandla called him two or three days after declining the role to asked if he could come to his office.

The film is a love story set in the streets of Soweto and premiered on Netflix on Friday, 23 August.

SOUTH AFRICANS REACT TO ‘PIANO LOVE’

@MhlangaLindo: “Me too I’m not done watching it. Saw only for 30mins and I was done. I’ll watch during the week at work when I’m bored.”

@KingMouze_: “That was a heartbreaking movie to watch. I so wish I could unwatch it. I’m sure we can do better than that nonsense. I forgive myself for expecting more. I believe TV writers shouldn’t write screenplays period. Writing a movie structure in an art form.”

@khanyithes33864: “#PianoLove It’s boring. It belongs to channel 163 with other Biskops.”

@kay_living_: “Finished watching #PianoLove on Netflix and I rate it 5/10. I feel it was just rushed. I really expected more. But a round of applause to “billiato” Peter Mashigo he really carried the movie to a certain extent.”