Interview: Writer and Director Jessica Rowlands from Rise (6/3/25)

About this episode

The episode features an interview with writer and director Jessica Rowlands discussing her film 'Rise', the first Zimbabwean film selected at the Tribeca Festival.

Below The Belt Show (www.belowthebeltshow.com) brings to you exclusive interviews with 2025 Tribeca Festival (tribecafilm.com/) selected films' creators and actors! We talk to writer and director Jessica Rowlands, whose film short "Rise" is the first Zimbabwean film to be selected at Tribeca! "Rise" is about "a charismatic young boy who lives on a rubbish dump in Zimbabwe convinces a reclusive boxing coach to teach him to fight in a world that has left him behind.' Based on actual people, (including Jessica's personal friend Tobias, played by Tongayi Chirisa) and events, Jessica talks about the production process, casting a young actor, Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, in his film debut, and her desire to expand her film into a feature. In addition, Jessica talks about the John Cena reference in the film. Don't miss this interview!

People in this episode

Guest: Jessica Rowlands

Topics covered

• film
• interview
• Tribeca Festival
• Zimbabwean cinema
• boxing
• production process

Keywords

• Jessica Rowlands
• Rise
• Tribeca Festival
• Zimbabwe
• boxing coach
• film production
• short film
• Tobias
• Tongayi Chirisa

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tribeca Festival

Products: Rise

Places: Zimbabwe

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