Matsumunyane grew up in Lesotho and enjoyed the films of Teboho Mahlatsi, which inspired him to read the books they were based upon.
[3] The Hollywood film Captain Phillips was released in 2013, but Matsumunyane was upset about its portrayal of the facts of the case and Somali piracy, so he directed The Smiling Pirate later in the year.
He was watching the news when he saw a story about a young pirate, Abduwali Muse, being arrested after hijacking a ship.
Matsumunyane was struck that Muse was smiling, and he decided to learn more about the issue and eventually make a film.
Matsumunyane spoke to Muse directly from prison and has called his 33-year sentence unjust, meant to send a message to pirates.