LONG years in the making and destined to become a Zimbabwean cinematic classic, the new action comedy series Payoff is set to go into production end of March 2019, starring musician, actor, comic and talent agent, Edgar Langeveldt and Jason Wyngard.
Two unlikely buddies with contrasting characters come together to unmask a dangerous drug kingpin in a community. Good triumphs over evil and the community learns that, as always, bravery and vigilance are indispensable.
Music, action, comedy, tragedy intertwine with powerful imagery, scintillating dialogue, unforgettable performances and evocative lighting. The production features the best of local Zimbabwean musical, comedic and dance talents, all underpinned by a beautiful soundtrack of Zimbabwean artists.
The story for Payoff was an original concept of Jason Wyngard, most widely known for his musical and video efforts with the urban groove outfit, MoVIP Family, one member of whom, Chazelle Shahadat is currently blowing up on The Voice SA.
Wyngard grew despondent by the vicious effects of drugs on Arcadia and Mbare youths, leading to the tragic demise of someone close to his heart. He approached Langeveldt who hammered out a 90-minute full length feature film that could not find enough support from the local film gurus of the day as they were daunted by its vast scope and intensity.
Fast forward to 2018 and the pair decided to revive and adapt the idea as a 13 part series and dive in to investing their combined talents into being fully fledged producers on the local scene, under the banner of Nexus Digital Agency (established 1996) in association with MoVIPflixx.
Payoff chronicles the chance meeting of two wildly contrasting characters, Mikey, an undercover CID officer who moonlights as a popular club DJ, and Dolphy, a bumbling, likeable buffoon who turns out a useful ally for Mikey’s fight against the ruthless drug kingpin, Panga and his gang of knife wielding, kidnapping goons.
Mikey’s younger brother Danny died from an apparent overdose, thus ending a potentially brilliant career as a pharmacist.
His older brother — SCU Detective (Special “C” Camaflouge Unit) — Mikey is a man on a mission to solve the case and get his just revenge.
Essentially a Buddy Movie, Payoff has all the ingredients for an explosive and engrossing battle between good and evil: action, comedy, stunts, romance, heroism, passion and universal relevance in the modern age where youth are vulnerable to so many dangers.
The message is clear: save our young people from the deleterious impact of narcotics and its ruthless underworld.
