Silent Voice TV Series Review on Chanco TV – Malawi Nyasa Times

When I first started watching Silent Voice, I had no expectations given that it is a low-budget production set on a university campus with seemingly little to no sponsorship. However, Silent Voices quickly reminded me of the popular Mzuzu University film Alufeyo, which navigates the tricky terrain of university life, choices and consequences. This new TV series set at the University of Malawi, formerly Chancellor College, has captured the attention of young viewers with its compelling narrative and bold themes.

The series focuses on the romantic relationship between Mafuno (played by Promise Banda), a devout Christian woman, and George (played by Kondwani Kabvina), a man struggling to follow his religious path. Their vow to abstain from sex before marriage is met with severe tests, revealing the complex layers of human behavior and societal pressures.

The relationship between Mafuno and George is the glue that holds the series together. Mafuno, struggling financially, is lured by her teacher in exchange for money, leading to an unexpected pregnancy. Meanwhile, George, though tempted by Chifundo, a seductive queen and friend who has benefits for her Mesho, remains loyal to Mafuno. Chaos ensues when George discovers Mafuno’s betrayal. In his agony, he turns to alcohol and partying, leading to a shocking incident where George is raped by Chifundo after being heavily intoxicated. This plotline tackles the taboo subject of male sexual abuse. The TV series takes a bold step in the depiction of male rape, highlighting the stigma and challenges that male victims endure. The series highlights the disturbing reality that sexual abuse more often comes from acquaintances than strangers. Mafuno’s betrayal was particularly excruciating for George because she denied him any intimacy, citing her commitment to celibacy, which George respected.

Betrayal is a recurring motif throughout the series. Mafuno’s infidelity devastates George, shattering the trust and commitment they had built. Mafuno’s pregnancy deeply disappoints her parents, who had high hopes for her. George’s roommate, or mesho, harbors a secret jealousy, feeling betrayed by George for earning the admiration of Chifundo, who is smitten by George’s looks and intellect, as evidenced by the assignments he writes for her.

The series doesn’t shy away from addressing mental health issues. Mafuno’s thoughts about suicide, driven by shame and fear of judgment, mirror the silent struggles many young people face in similar situations. Her best friend’s insistence on confiding in her parents and George’s intervention just before Mafuno attempts suicide highlight the importance of transparency and a support system.

One of the standout aspects of “Silent Voice” is its soundtrack, which is composed primarily of Malawian music. This choice not only promotes local arts but also reinforces the cultural authenticity of the show, resonating deeply with its young audience. The urban music soundtracks, with trap beats and 808s, are a treat for the ears of young listeners. The producers and sound team have wisely avoided incorporating foreign music. If the series continues, I recommend releasing a soundtrack specifically for the TV show as a marketing strategy.

While the series excels in storytelling and thematic depth, the image quality leaves room for improvement. Improving the visual production could greatly enhance the overall impact of the series and viewer engagement. The image quality suggests that the series was shot with slightly outdated lenses. It may be time for the production team to consider outsourcing additional production equipment or raising funds for advanced filming equipment to fully realize the series’ potential.

Additionally, I have issues with dialogue and characters taking ownership of their written words. As a fiction writer, I understand that writing dialogue is one of the most difficult aspects of storytelling. Dialogue is essential to character development, moving the story forward, and creating emotional connections. In this series, I sometimes found the dialogue to be forced, simply memorized but not necessarily internalized to bring the weight of the words to life. This felt less believable, largely because the characters seemed to lack conviction. Additionally, the characters’ fluency in English seemed to hinder their emotional expression. In highly charged situations, people often revert to their native language. I recommend a more bilingual approach than the current approach with much more incorporation of Chichewa, especially for characters who are not fluent in English. Additionally, Chichewa needs to lean much more toward college campus lingo since the target audience is already college students. Or if the series seeks to continue using English, the characters must master it to compete with their native language.

There are inconsistencies between the verbal dialogue and body language. For example, the confrontation between George and the professor or Mafuno and George when they discover the affair could have been more convincing. Moments of anger, joy, indifference or sadness should be reflected in both words and body language. Some characters could have been portrayed as wittier, more devious or more calculating through their dialogues. I like Chifundo’s sass, she really managed to carry this bad girl character of a killer queen with her mannerisms, her weird hairstyle, her heavy makeup and even the annoying chewing of bubble gum. I also like George’s jealous body language and his slithering snake tendencies portrayed as he looks at his friends’ daughter. He plays a traitor in a cocoon personality waiting for the right moment to die.

In terms of camerawork and lighting, the series could be improved. The confrontation scene between George and the professor and the outdoor scene with George, Mafuno, and her best friend could have been better filmed. The camerawork sometimes seems amateurish. The lighting in the outdoor scenes could be improved by selecting well-lit locations or manipulating the light to avoid casting shadows on the characters’ faces.

Despite these flaws, the series is off to a promising start. With time and constructive feedback, I think the series can improve by Season 2. It’s always a pleasure to see filmmakers create compelling work for an industry as nascent as ours.

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