BLIND AMBITION
****
Directors: Warwick Ross and Robert Coe
Screenwriters: Warwick Ross, Robert Coe, Paul Murphy & Madeleine Ross
Principal cast:
Pardon Taguzu
Tinashe Nyamudoka
Joseph Dhafana
Marlvin Gwese
Jean Vincent Ridon
Denis Garret
Country: Australia
Classification: M
Runtime: 96 mins.
Australian release date: 3 March 2022.
Initially well-regarded at home and internationally, Robert Mugabe was in power in Zimbabwe for a period of 37 years, rising from Prime Minister to President, until his benighted reign ended in 2017. He ruled with an iron fist and oversaw large-scale corruption and the destruction of the economy; particularly after 1995, when wages were reduced and unemployment trebled. This caused a mass exodus of Zimbabweans and over three million people fled to neighbouring countries like South Africa in an attempt to make a living and care for their families. Many tales of courage and determination emerged during this time and the documentary, Blind Ambition, co-directed by Australian filmmakers Warwick Ross and Robert Coe, is the uplifting story of resilience and determination that four refugees from ‘Zim’ faced in their effort to survive. And it wasn’t easy; the locals resented the influx of illegal immigrants and Zimbabweans became the targets of anti-foreigner riots.
At first, the four men, Joseph Dhafana, Pardon Taguzu, Tinashe Nyamudoka and Marlvin Gwese, had to take a series of menial jobs before each entered the hospitality industry, initially as dish washers, before moving up the ranks and waiting on tables. Due to their hard work and dedication, they were noticed by their employers and introduced to the world of wine - South Africa, of course, has a huge and notable wine industry. As Pentecostal Christians, however, the men had eschewed the consumption of alcohol so they first had to get approval from the church and their families and, after much discussion, they decided it was “God’s calling” to follow this new career path. Taken under the wing of the coach of Team South Africa, Jean Vincent Ridon, over time they developed their abilities as sommeliers and honed their wine-tasting skills. It was Rodin who encouraged them to form Team Zimbabwe, with the aim of entering the World Wine Blind Tasting Championships, known as the ‘Olympics of wine tasting’, in Burgundy, France. In the competition, teams must be able to identify the country, the region, the brand and the vintage of wines whose labels are concealed. The efforts of Team Zimbabwe came to the attention of one of the world’s foremost wine authorities, Jancis Robinson, and she set up a crowd-funding operation to finance the men’s trip to France. Because Rodin was coaching Team South Africa, the team had to find a new coach and they selected Denis Garret, a rather exuberant, somewhat eccentric character, to teach them what they needed to know to compete against the best wine tasters from 24 countries. It was a choice that nearly brought their quest to an end.
The men’s peregrinations from Zim to Europe were not without frustrations, doubts and, at times, dissent. Joseph says that, “Our journey is tattooed on our brains and in our hearts,” but the team developed a tight bond and succeeded in achieving their dream of getting to the competition, which is as thrilling and intense from the comfort of your cinema seat as it must have been for the Zimbabweans. Blind Ambition won the Audience Award at Tribeca Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival and you see why; this is a documentary that is both uplifting and intriguing, showing how willpower, curiosity and perseverance can overcome adversity. I’ll drink to that! À votre santé!
Screenwriters: Warwick Ross, Robert Coe, Paul Murphy & Madeleine Ross
Principal cast:
Pardon Taguzu
Tinashe Nyamudoka
Joseph Dhafana
Marlvin Gwese
Jean Vincent Ridon
Denis Garret
Country: Australia
Classification: M
Runtime: 96 mins.
Australian release date: 3 March 2022.
Initially well-regarded at home and internationally, Robert Mugabe was in power in Zimbabwe for a period of 37 years, rising from Prime Minister to President, until his benighted reign ended in 2017. He ruled with an iron fist and oversaw large-scale corruption and the destruction of the economy; particularly after 1995, when wages were reduced and unemployment trebled. This caused a mass exodus of Zimbabweans and over three million people fled to neighbouring countries like South Africa in an attempt to make a living and care for their families. Many tales of courage and determination emerged during this time and the documentary, Blind Ambition, co-directed by Australian filmmakers Warwick Ross and Robert Coe, is the uplifting story of resilience and determination that four refugees from ‘Zim’ faced in their effort to survive. And it wasn’t easy; the locals resented the influx of illegal immigrants and Zimbabweans became the targets of anti-foreigner riots.
At first, the four men, Joseph Dhafana, Pardon Taguzu, Tinashe Nyamudoka and Marlvin Gwese, had to take a series of menial jobs before each entered the hospitality industry, initially as dish washers, before moving up the ranks and waiting on tables. Due to their hard work and dedication, they were noticed by their employers and introduced to the world of wine - South Africa, of course, has a huge and notable wine industry. As Pentecostal Christians, however, the men had eschewed the consumption of alcohol so they first had to get approval from the church and their families and, after much discussion, they decided it was “God’s calling” to follow this new career path. Taken under the wing of the coach of Team South Africa, Jean Vincent Ridon, over time they developed their abilities as sommeliers and honed their wine-tasting skills. It was Rodin who encouraged them to form Team Zimbabwe, with the aim of entering the World Wine Blind Tasting Championships, known as the ‘Olympics of wine tasting’, in Burgundy, France. In the competition, teams must be able to identify the country, the region, the brand and the vintage of wines whose labels are concealed. The efforts of Team Zimbabwe came to the attention of one of the world’s foremost wine authorities, Jancis Robinson, and she set up a crowd-funding operation to finance the men’s trip to France. Because Rodin was coaching Team South Africa, the team had to find a new coach and they selected Denis Garret, a rather exuberant, somewhat eccentric character, to teach them what they needed to know to compete against the best wine tasters from 24 countries. It was a choice that nearly brought their quest to an end.
The men’s peregrinations from Zim to Europe were not without frustrations, doubts and, at times, dissent. Joseph says that, “Our journey is tattooed on our brains and in our hearts,” but the team developed a tight bond and succeeded in achieving their dream of getting to the competition, which is as thrilling and intense from the comfort of your cinema seat as it must have been for the Zimbabweans. Blind Ambition won the Audience Award at Tribeca Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival and you see why; this is a documentary that is both uplifting and intriguing, showing how willpower, curiosity and perseverance can overcome adversity. I’ll drink to that! À votre santé!