Right Now with Mzonke Maloney
With an impressive directing portfolio and successful comedy career under his belt, alongside other creative pursuits, Mzonke Maloney is self-effacingly accomplished. “I have a hard time with value judgments,” he says. “It really is all just one thing: good or bad. It just is.”
He’s produced commercial work for some of Mzansi’s favourite brands, including Savanna Dry, Spur and KFC. When not behind the camera, Maloney is quickly becoming a favourite in the local comedy scene. Afrika Bogatsu caught up with him to hear about how commercials and comedy compare, his creative process, and what we can expect from him after his recent 30-night run at Jive Cape Town Funny Festival at The Baxter.
AB: Who is Mzonke Maloney and what are you up to right now?
MM: I’m a thinker. I do anything that compels my curiosity and I’m currently working on multiple projects, in various disciplines, including filmmaking, writing, stand-up comedy and designing public social spaces.
AB: What is your proudest work as a commercials director?
MM: I don’t really think of work in those terms; each thing is interesting for its own reasons. While I do direct commercials I wouldn’t think of myself as a commercials director; it’s just another place to test ideas. I like how well-resourced the space is. There is a lot more legroom to try the things that would otherwise be difficult to achieve in the other spaces I work in.
AB: Which local creatives work do you find interesting right now?
MM: I think what makes great work is a collective, cohesive effort with everyone involved. Great ideas are hardly ever on paper when you get the brief, so whoever is willing, meaningful and agile enough to think alongside other perspectives is welcome.
AB: Having achieved a Jive Funny Championship win, how would say stand-up compares to filmmaking?
MM: I’m just telling stories in both mediums; it feels like the same part of my brain. The only skill that matters is that I pay attention in my daily life and that I become a more present, honest, compassionate and loving person. Everything flows naturally from that premise. Liars can’t make anything impactful.
AB: Who are your comedic icons and how would you say they've influenced your style and sense of humour?
MM: It’s not arranged in any order in my head. I've just watched a lot of comedy in my life and it all meant different things at different moments. It’s all a study.
AB: What are your favourite stand-up specials?
MM: 8 by Jerrod Carmichael and Live & Smokin’ by Richard Pryor
AB: What’s on your shoe rotation at the moment?
MM: Clarks and Wales Bonner Adi’s
AB: What are you watching and reading?
MM: I’m reading Duty Free Art by Hito Steyerl and watching whatever’s on.
AB: What artist are you listening to right now?
MM: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
AB: If you could be anywhere else in the world where would you be, and what would you be doing?
MM: In Tokyo, making things.
AB: What is your vision for the next few years?
MM: Random. A baby and stuff
AB: When and where can people catch you doing stand-up?
MM: I’ll be playing The Savannah Newcomer Showcase in Joburg, but I’m only on stage for five minutes so don’t change your dinner plans.
Words by Afrika Bogatsu for Letterhead.