HARARE – Hollywood A-listers Danai Gurira and Forest Whitaker are being tapped for a propaganda film on Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa, state media reported on Tuesday.

Production of ‘The Rise of Emmerson Mnangagwa’ will begin in June, the film’s producer Tatenda Gate told The Herald.

“We’re just finalising on the budget and the shooting will begin next month. Danai and Forest will be coming down a week before the shoot. We have Asha Stuart from United States, who’s a scriptwriter and will be able to help us on research,” Gate is quoted as saying.

Kenny Gasa, who is based in the United Kingdom, is listed as the film’s director along with cinematographer Gunnar Orn and Stefania Vignisdottir.

“The feature film is about the fight for independence in Zimbabwe focusing on President Mnangagwa’s journey from his days as a young man, getting involved in anti-colonial politics through his time as a freedom fighter and evolving into a politician leading government in a new Zimbabwe,” Gate said.

Gate said the film is being bankrolled by corporates, who were not named.

The documentary, if it materialises, will follow on hagiographical books that have been written about Mnangagwa since he came to power in a military coup in November 2017.

Mnangagwa is keen to project himself as a popular leader, and coverts outside endorsement. Aides in the information ministry hope the books and film will sanitise Mnangagwa and offer a different reading of history.