The African Women in Cinema Blog celebrates World Bicycle Day with Twiggy Matiwana's The Bicycle Man

Still from The Bicycle Man

The African Women in Cinema Blog celebrates

World Bicycle Day

with Twiggy Matiwana's the Bicycle Man

 

Twiggy Matiwana uses a simple image of a man on a bicycle, navigating around the city, as he works, does daily activities and chores, in order to tell a poignant story. While cycling conjures images of speed and resilience in sport, it is also a symbol of the everydayness of life, the veritable transportation of the people.

 

 

From a short conversation with Twiggy Matiwana

 

The Bicycle Man shows a sensitive side of the manner in which a man deals with what is generally viewed as a woman’s illness: breast cancer. Talk about why you chose this theme and decided to tell the story in this way.

Cinema is a great tool when it comes to telling a story. I had to make sure that I show those symbols with strong visuals and also not scare people, instead make them understand how things work and how to solve problems.

What have been the responses from the viewers? Men and women?

 

Both men and women still don’t believe that men can have breast cancer; the film has been an eye-opener for them.