‘Inkabi’ (The Hitman), written and directed by AFDA alumnus Norman Maake, premiered on Netflix on March 13. The film was one of six micro-budget projects supported through a joint film fund by Netflix and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).
Maake collaborated with fellow AFDA alumni Chuanne Blofield as the cinematographer and Tongai Furusa as the editor for ‘Inkabi.’
The inspiration behind ‘Inkabi’ came from the real-life stories of Zulu hitmen from the rural villages of Natal. These men often leave their villages with dreams of becoming Maskandi musicians but end up turning to a life of crime as hitmen instead.
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In an interview with The Citizen Newspaper, Norman Maake expressed the importance of authenticity in the film, highlighting the relevance of the theme of hitmen in South Africa due to prevalent issues of violence in the country.
The story of ‘Inkabi’ follows Frank, a retired hitman who decides to start afresh as a private taxi driver. He forms a bond with Lucy, a young woman working at a dubious downtown casino. When Lucy witnesses a murder, she becomes the target of the killer, leading Frank to protect her at all costs.
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The film stars Tshamo Sebe as Frank, Michelle Tiren as Lucy, and features actors like Dumisani Dlamini, Muzi Mthabela, and Kenneth Nkosi.
Norman Maake, known for his previous works like ‘Home Sweet Home’ and ‘Soldiers of the Rock,’ made his feature film directorial debut with ‘Inkabi.’ The film presses into themes of loyalty, friendship, and the harsh realities of a world where violence and crime intersect.
