Malawian engineer William Kamkwamba has attracted the camera with his story, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Malawi24 can reveal.
London born Nigerian actor Chiwetel Ejiofor intends to direct a film based on the story.
The inspirational nature of the narrative has among other reasons attracted interest of the renowned figure in theatre, to have his input in the project.
The film is an adaptation of the 2009 book by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer which tells of Kamkwamba’s childhood in Malawi and his long-held dream of bringing electricity and water to his village.
The story further reveals how Kamkwamba as a 14 year old gathered materials to build a windmill that ended up as a source for electricity to his home in Wimbe, Kasungu.
His motivation to succeed in the energy project came as a result of reading books at the village library. Growing up, William aspired to do science but his dream was challenged when he had nobody to sponsor his education, in the aftermath of the 2002 famine that hit Malawi.
International media reports indicate The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will be produced by Andrea Calderwood. The finished project will be filmed in the autumn.
Malawi is on the list of possible locations where the film will be set. However other locations are yet to be known. It is not clear if local actors and actresses will be considered roles in the film.
The project will be Ejiofor’s debut in as far as movie directing is concerned. He is famed for his role in a movie titled A Season in Congo in 2007. He also hit the London stage late last decade with William Shakespeare’s play, Othello.
Such an inspiring story!!! I hope it is a success.