The Observer (Kampala)
7 February 2008
column
Until the turn of the millennium, the FM stations were dominated by Congolese music before the dawn of a new era of Ugandan musicians. It would be foolhardy for anyone to even think of bringing down Awilo Longomba today.
Our local actors still face the dilemma their music counterparts suffered almost a decade ago; screens are dominated by Nigerian movies (Nollywood) but the local industry is on a mission to throw out the Ki-Nigeria movies.
For an industry still in its infancy, experts estimate 30 movies have so far been released since 2005 when Ashraf Ssimwogerere's first Ugandan movie Feelings Struggle was released.
In this second and last part of our entertainment analysis, DAVID LUMU and JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE analyse some of Uganda's 'blockbusters'...
Dennis Josiah acting a scene in Nnabe Mub'oluganda
Movie: Omuswiiba
Starring: Abu Kawenja, Phillip Omwana Wabandi
Time: 90mins
Distributor: Video Kings
This, according to several movie dealers is the most popular Ugandan movie. Apart from lead actor Kawenja, the cast is virtually unknown but they pulled off a great performance in an otherwise amateurish movie. The plot is typically Ugandan; motor mechanic Mugalu (Kawenja) lies to his wife that he's going for burial but instead hooks up a university student from a hostel for a night out, only to wake up the next morning to find the girl dead after the previous night's relentless sex escapade. Shocked, he packs the body in a bag and buries the girl in the village before the girl's mother hires Inspector Brown (Omwana Wabandi) to trace the whereabouts of her daughter. Mugalu is by now on the run and abandons his job before he is smoked out of a new garage.
He is severely tortured in a safe house (in one bizarre incident the ruthless inspector hangs a heavy stone on Mugalu's genitals) till he confesses to the crime.
Rating: 5/10 - creative but also amateurish
Movie: Down This Road I walk
Starring: Mariam Ndagire, Wycliffe Luyombya, Sheila Ategyeka, Jonan Kisibo
Time: 90mins
Distributor: Trends Videos
It was the most hyped movie last year but apart from the star cast, multi-talented Mariam Ndagire's maiden movie project falls short on sequencing. You have got to have seen the beginning of the movie to understand what is going on.
The plot is good; High school student Catherine (Ategyeka) is forced by her parents to marry rich young Begumisa (Luyombya) against her wish. Try as she could to re-unite with her school love Fred (Kisibo), her parents force her back in the rocky marriage. After the birth of son Begumisa Junior, the baby is taken away by its grandmother (Ndagire) who allows Catherine limited visitations for breast feeding only.
Catherine's ex is hired as the family driver and the two lovebirds reignite their high school love until a suspicious Begumisa finds out.
Ndagire's drama has some attempts at adrenaline-pumping scenes such as a car-chase in which Begumisa's mum is arrested with a dead body and Fred's car crashes during a fight for the steering wheel, in the process killing both Begumisa and his son.
Bloopers: The fairytale ending with Fred and Catherine marrying is too predictable.
Rating: 5/10 Plot too similar to several Nollywood movies
Movie: Battle of the Souls
Starring: Matthew Nabwiso, Mike Draman, Joel Okuo
Duration: 100 minutes
A real life story inspired by self confessed former devil worshiper Roger Mugisha, the movie centres on Ryan's (Nabwiso) underworld life in his quest to become rich and successful. Acted in English, unsettled Ryan thinks 'manna' has fallen when he lands on a loaded briefcase while in a bar with close friend Eric (Draman).
But due to their strong faith, Ryan and colleagues agree to hand it back to the owner Wycliffe (Okuo), who is an underworld tycoon.
Surprised, Wycliffe extends the generosity by inviting the young men to join him. The rest reject the satanic lifestyle but Ryan finds the offer too good to resist. The trick seems to pay off until he realises the demands of the underworld are beyond his effort. Among others was to sacrifice his best friends!
Bloopers: Whereas the theme is still fresh in people's memory, the movie is a stark contrast from the stories we heard at the height of the underworld saga.
Rating: 5/10 Editing was poor
Movie: Desperate Love
Starring: Kayibanda, Gen. Mega Dee, Grace Sekamatte, Herman Kalanzi
Time: 80mins
Distributor: ADA Records
Shoeshine Suubi (Mega Dee) doubles as a romantic charm that sweeps women off their feet. But the never-ending confrontations with his fire-spitting landlord (Kayibanda) over non payment of rent is causing him sleepless nights until he grabs the attention of Sandra, the fiancée of the richest tycoon on the village, Richie (Sekamatte). Incensed, Richie hires a hit squad led by Semugabi (Kalanzi) that beats up Suubi to near death but to the shock of Richie, his family and group of sidekicks, Sandra runs off with the disfigured Suubi and the lovebirds end up marrying.
Bloopers: Movie used star power to generate success but it backfired because they aren't anywhere near talented in acting.
Rating: 2/10
Movie: Akakomo
Starring: Charles James Senkubuge, Andrew Benon Kibuuka, Aloysious Matovu Joy, Aisha Komuhangi
Time: 180 mins
This is a two-part movie in an ancient Buganda kingdom where the prime minister kills and overthrows a Kabaka. He is also killed in a fight with his son before the daughter of the deposed king ascends onto the throne. The main characters however are the Bambowa (King's servants) who know the ins and outs of the whole kingdom and determine the outcomes of events.
Bloopers: Movie acted out like a stage play
Rating: 4/10
Movie: Nnabe Mub'oluganda
Starring: Bbosa Serunkuuma, Dennis Josiah
Time: 100 mins
Distributor: HK Movie Industry
A tale of two brothers fighting for their late father's estate. Michael (Bbosa) is the heir and is so obsessed with women and drinking while his younger brother James (Josiah) is the opposite. In the ensuing battle of division of property, Michael kills James before he too realises things aren't as rosy as he expected.
Bloopers: Video effects are a put off
Rating: 4/10 Storyline too predictable
Movie: Roses in the Rain
Starring: Jennifer Kabanda, Zack Orji, Patricko Mujuuka, Karitas Karisimbi
It must have been a case of over-raised hopes not satisfied. This is a movie that brought Nollywood to Kampala in the form of famous Nigerian actor Zack Orji. Zack, together with the talented Ugandan cast had everyone waiting, but the story line was poor because it provided nothing new to Ugandans. It was about AIDS where a young lady catches it from a man who didn't want to go for a test. It is also about family and enduring love.
The camera work was good; lighting, sound and editing were also good.
Bloopers: For an HIV/AIDS story in Uganda, creativity was nil.
Rating: 6/10 For good picture and sound
Movie: Murder in the City
Starring: Ashraf Ssimwogerere, Ruth Wannyana, Joseph Ssenabulya
This gripping movie with lots of suspense, started hours before its premiere with the actual disappearance of the script writer/director, Ssimwogerere.
Coming at a time when Kampala City was in the grip of a high profile murder case (Robinah Kiyingi), Ssimwogerere's movie rode on that wave of controversy to its benefit. It has a range of catchy story lines of love, money, business and conflict. But one lady lawyer who was determined to fight corruption, keep her family together, be religious and faithful is murdered. And because she had stepped on many toes in the line of duty - in government and her private life - it wasn't clear who pulled the trigger.
Bloopers: These were mainly off-screen. Like, who really 'kidnapped' Ssimwogerere? Was it a publicity stunt?
Rating: 6/10 For timeliness of the plot
Movie: Feelings Struggle
Starring: Ashraf Ssimwogerere, Patricko Mujuuka, Sheillah Nvanungi
Time: 90 mins
A young girl is kidnapped with the intention of sacrificing her. However, because her ears were pierced, she isn't the right candidate since she spilled blood before. She is dumped in a bush where a Good Samaritan finds her and adopts her. She falls in love with a guy at school years later, not knowing he is her brother.
Rating: 5/10 It is gripping. Its picture and sound are good.
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