Movie goers who attended Tuesday’s premiere of Kennedy Kihire’s latest movie, Hangout, left convinced that Ugawood might be redeemable, after all. The launch at National Theatre proved a thrilling introduction to a movie world inhabited by both Ugandan and Indian actors. It was a relieving surprise to an industry long blighted by mediocrity.
Hangout is loosely inspired by the ‘iron bar hitmen’ terror that continues to rock Kampala. It chronicles the chilling exploits of a serial killer, Varun, played by Indian-Ugandan actor Jayant Maru. Upon being dumped by his girlfriend (Lydia Nkwanzi) and, later, arrested over suspected rape, Varun embarks on an indiscriminate revenge mission. He pitches camp near a local bar, where he executes a number of brutal, random murders behind a media outcry and police investigations.
From the opening shot featuring Varun’s release from prison, Ugandan movie maker Kihire manages to sustain tension and suspense, as the burly and sulky villain goes about his business without saying a word. There’s even more suspense at the end. It remains unclear whether the chasing policewoman had all along been an accomplice in the homicides. But it is the movie’s production quality that impressed most. Even Kihire, who now has six movies to his credit, could not explain the film’s unique style that employs dim colours, quick teasing cuts, swish transitions and ghostly soundtracks.
“I wanted to be unique. It is a thriller; so, I wanted to create that dark mood,” the 26-year-old director told a full house which attended, courtesy of National Theatre’s Watch Ugandan Movies free-entry theme night every Tuesday.
The audience, which was first treated to stand-up comedy and a couple of short films by Maisha, was also impressed by the performance of 24-year-old Maru and his on-screen grand mum Abha Kalsi. The Ugandan cast, led by The Hostel ex-star Isaac Kuddzu, Felix Bwanika and Urban TV’s Charlie Mwiyeretsi Denzel, put up a fair show.
The Shs 20m film, which took eight months to shoot and release, will soon be accessed on DVD, Kihire said. Meanwhile, Maru’s latest film The Route, which also features Ugandan and Indian actors, yesterday screened at the Bayelsa Book Fair in Nigeria as part of the build-up activities to tomorrow’s African Movie Academy awards (AMAA), where Ugandan movie The Ugandan is eyeing an award. There is little doubt that Maru, along with the likes of Kihire and The Ugandan director Patrick Sekyaya plus a few other budding filmmakers will spur Ugandan cinema to greater heights.
From allafrica.com
Source:
http://movie.blog7up.com/2013/04/19/new-movie-rises-bar-for-ugawood/