Inside Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi | Nyasha Hatendi on Producing Cultural Horror in Audio

About this episode

Talib Jasir interviews Nyasha Hatendi about producing the cultural horror audio drama 'Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi'.

In Episode 27 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Nyasha Hatendi to discuss Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi , the Audible Original supernatural thriller set in Zimbabwe. Sacrilege follows an American family whose luxury safari turns into a fight for survival after disturbing sacred ground and awakening an ancient spirit known as the Mbirwi. Produced in Dolby Atmos, the audio drama blends cultural horror, generational trauma, and immersive sound design to deliver a cinematic listening experience. In this conversation, Nyasha reflects on adapting Zimbabwean folklore into a global thriller, developing an Audible Original from concept to production, and navigating storytelling across film, television, and audio drama. We examine how horror reveals emotional and historical tension, how immersive audio builds atmosphere without visuals, and why cultural specificity strengthens international storytelling. For fiction podcasters, screenwriters, producers, and media creators interested in audio drama, immersive sound, or global narrative development, this episode offers both craft insight and industry perspective. Listen to Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi on…

People in this episode

Host: Talib Jasir

Guest: Nyasha Hatendi

Topics covered

• cultural horror
• audio drama
• Zimbabwean folklore
• storytelling
• immersive sound
• generational trauma

Keywords

• cultural horror
• audio drama
• Zimbabwean folklore
• immersive sound
• supernatural thriller
• storytelling

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Audible

Books & works: Sacrilege: Curse of the Mbirwi

Places: Zimbabwe

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