Washington: Chiwetel Ejiofo is set to star in his directorial debut.
The Oscar-nominated actor’s untitled directorial debut has started its production in Malawi and it has been adapted from the book ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’ written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
The autobiography tells the life-changing story of how the author helped save his village as a 13-year-old by constructing a wind turbine from bits of scrap metal, old bicycle parts and wood.
Potboiler Productions’ Andrea Calderwood will produce the film with executive producers, Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King.
Ejiofor on the movie said, “William’s story represents what has to be the future in countries like Malawi: developing countries, overflowing with beauty, and with potential [that] simply needs access to opportunity in order to be fully unleashed. William’s determination and inventiveness created something that not only meant the end of the ‘hungry season’ for his community, it also catapulted him into a future where all his potential could be realized.”
“I want this to be a film that allows people to see that Malawi, and the world, will be all the better for everything William and those like him are able to contribute when they have the opportunities they urgently need to carve out their own extraordinary destinies,” the ’12 Years A Slave’ actor stated.
The film follows the story of 13-year-old Kamkwamba, played by newcomer Maxwell Simba. He is thrown out of the school he loves when his family can no longer afford the fees. Sneaking back into the school library, he finds a way, using the bones of the bicycle belonging to his father, Trywell, played by Ejiofor, to build a windmill that saves his village from famine. The emotional journey of a father and his exceptional son at its heart, William’s tale captures the incredible determination of a boy whose inquisitive mind overcame every obstacle in his path.
The key themes from the film aim to raise awareness around environmental sustainability and the power of education.
In addition to Ejiofor and Simba, the film cast includes, Lily Banda, Noma Dumezweni, Aissa Maiga, Joseph Marcell and Lemogang Tsipa. (ANI)