Experiencing Interruptions?

I Dream Of Dollars

This documentary offers an intimate portrait of Primo Masinyani, better known as VZ, a beacon of resilience in Zimbabwe’s unforgiving informal market. With water and hair as his tools, VZ’s week-long grind is more than just survival; it's a testament to sheer willpower, determination, and unbreakable spirit.

As Zimbabwe’s turbulent economy throws daily obstacles, VZ’s hustle never falters, driven by the need to provide and thrive where many falter. This film doesn’t just show a man making a living—it reveals the heart of a fighter whose spirit refuses to be dimmed. Through VZ’s journey, we witness the quiet strength behind his smile, the hidden battles behind his craft, and the deep-rooted resilience that powers him forward. More than just a glimpse into the informal economy, this is a story of human tenacity, a celebration of spirit that refuses to surrender in the harshest of conditions.

  • Takunda Aaron "Zen ISA" Chimutashu
    Director
    Create Zim: Art Across Cities
  • Takunda Aaron "Zen ISA" Chimutashu
    Producer
    Create Zim: Art Across Cities
  • Primo "VZ" Masinyani
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 23, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Zimbabwe
  • Country of Filming:
    Zimbabwe
  • Language:
    English, Shona
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Takunda Aaron "Zen ISA" Chimutashu

Takunda Aaron Chimutashu aka Zen ISA is a Film Director, Author, Photographer and Pan African Activist with a background in Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Social leadership. He is the founder and Creative Director of Immortal African Studios and a co-founder and resident Film Director of award-winning production house Visual Sensations Media.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Creating this documentary was a deeply personal journey. I chose to film and edit the entire project alone, using only a single camera and no additional equipment. This approach allowed me to get close—physically and emotionally—to the story of Primo Masinyani, or VZ, as he's known in the community. By stripping the process down to its bare essentials, I was able to prioritize authenticity above all else, allowing real life to unfold without the distraction of heavy setups or intrusive gear.

In this film, I wanted to immerse the viewer in the raw, unfiltered reality of VZ’s world—his sweat, his laughter, his quiet moments of reflection. My goal was to create something that felt deeply human, where every moment is lived rather than performed. The limitations of shooting alone, far from being obstacles, became the very tools that helped me achieve this intimate dive into VZ’s life. Every frame is a piece of that journey—a reflection of resilience, survival, and spirit, captured in its most genuine form.

This is a film about connection: between me as a filmmaker and my subject, and between VZ and his everyday struggle to thrive in an economy that often feels unyielding. My hope is that through this lens, the audience can feel the weight of VZ’s resilience and gain a new appreciation for the quiet power of his story.