21 Nov 2024

LIAR, an international drama series reproduced in various countries, has started shooting the Botswana version.

Directed by Catherine Cooke, LIAR is currently shooting in Gaborone with a creative talent cast of Maxwell Dichi, Thabo Matsampele, Gaosi Raditholo as well as Motsoaledi Setumo alongside a competitive production crew who have done renowned work in the film industry.

The cast crew has two of Botswana’s film exports Dichi and Raditholo alongside other highly brilliant acts such as Matsampele.

The production crew has students from the Television Academy under Botswana Ignite project. Original characters were written, and an additional character was introduced to accurately represent local family structures and norms. The drama series was originally created for ITV, in the UK, by award winning writing duo Jack and Harry Williams.

The local script writing adaptation was done and led by South Africa’s Bongi Ndaba who worked with four emerging Batswana writers, Mphonyana Mokokwe, Serena Mmifinyana, Moreetsi Gabang and Thabang Tshepe alongside two other senior writers.

 Writing of LIAR began in June this year, with a thorough research recce in Gaborone followed by a series of writing workshops with script advisors from the UK. LIAR head of production Steve Lorenzo explained that the four Batswana writers were paired with a senior writer participating in the writer’s exploration, online workshops and writing room meetings.

“In addition to providing on the ground research, cultural and language advice, they each wrote “shadow” scripts alongside the senior writers, with many of their scenes and dialogue writing incorporated into the final scripts,” Lorenzo said adding that each writer will receive an Assistant Writer credit on the credit roll of the drama series.

Speaking on selection of the head writer, director, director of photography and lead cast, Lorenzo said they were all selected to optimise a licence deal with a major pan African streamer, with the earnings from the sales flowing back into Botswana.

Liar is centred around a date rape accusation that forever changes the lives of lead characters, Neo Mosupi played by Setumo and Tumelo Molefe played by Dichi. Neo is a smart and dedicated teacher, currently single, and Tumelo is a renowned surgeon, recently widowed and whose son Kago, played by Matsampele, is a pupil at Neo's school.

An initial attraction leads to a date but the morning after, Neo realises that she has been raped. When reporting the rape proves fruitless, Neo investigates the incident herself.

Truth and consequences go hand in hand in this gripping thriller. Addressing the gender based violence and rape ills, which are prevalent in Botswana, LIAR’s local adaptation process included a deep dive into how rape is reported and managed in Botswana, in particular its impact on the family and communities.

Therefore, intense research and consultation were made with engagements carried out with veteran gender activists such as Ntombi Setshwaelo. Ends