Edward Damba-Reporter
Chinese comedy-drama One and Only drew laughter and enthusiastic reactions from moviegoers during the Asian Cultural Festival held at Westgate Cinemas in Harare on Saturday. Around 40 to 50 people attended the Chinese screening, including Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding.
The 2023 film follows Chen Shuo, a young breakdancer attempting to turn his passion into a professional career while carrying family responsibilities. His prospects change when veteran dancer and coach Ding Lei invites him to join a street-dance team. However, the opportunity is more complicated than it initially appears, forcing Chen to fight for his place while balancing ambition, loyalty and everyday survival.
Directed by Dong Chengpeng, popularly known as Dapeng, One and Only stars Wang Yibo as Chen and veteran actor Huang Bo as Ding. The film combines comedy, sport and energetic dance sequences with a story about persistence and mentorship.
Its strong visuals and carefully built dance scenes intensified the action and kept the Harare audience engaged. Viewers laughed together during the comic moments and reacted visibly as the competition became more intense.
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Although the screening started about 30 minutes late, the programme proceeded smoothly once the film began. The screening formed part of the Asian Cultural Festival 2026, held from July 31 to August 1. The festival was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy and the embassies of India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Pakistan, together with Diplomatic Media.
Cinema and storytelling activities at Westgate gave participating countries an opportunity to introduce Zimbabwean audiences to different aspects of Asian life and culture. Six films were presented during Saturday’s public programme, while visitors also participated in cultural activities that included Chinese calligraphy and learning how to use chopsticks.
Speaking during the festival, Zhou said Asian values such as family, community, resilience and mutual respect closely connect with Zimbabwe’s Ubuntu philosophy. The festival came during the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which is promoting closer cultural interaction between China and African countries.
For the Harare audience, One and Only offered more than fast-paced dance routines. Its story showed the pressures confronting young people trying to pursue their ambitions while meeting family and financial obligations.The shared laughter and reactions inside the cinema also demonstrated how a story told in another language and cultural setting can still connect with a Zimbabwean audience.
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