Unrealistic stunts plague local film production

Film: In the rush to catch up with the practice in other film markets, many local productions are falling prey to poor planning.

With all due respect to the Uganda Film Network (UFN), there is still a lot to be done. Last week, the mother body of all film and video makers in conjunction with Blackland Pictures Limited invited the general public to their Jubilee Expo 2012.

Maybe not to be left out of the queue of celebrating 50 years of Independence, the organisers reminded us that the movie exhibition was about celebrating the level of development the film industry has reached since Independence Day.

Besides showcasing what equipment, not much else was done, save for fund raising for the establishment of a film production training laboratory. This was not the first of such events showcasing Ugandan movies. It definitely was not the last; more are to come.

Analysing the issue, it seems the main problem is rushed work.
Film in Uganda is rising. Progress is now however affected by the many players in the industry, who are charged with steering it forward. The films have familiar story lines about what we go through, something that we can identify with, which is okay. Execution usually falls short in many projects.

A few films
Take for instance, “Akim,” about an adulterous young man who had a relationship with an old man’s wife and later his own daughter. It has strong twists but the usual problems in local film are manifested in this one as well. One is the subtitling; in a mixture of Luganda and English, there are times when either language is used and there are no subtitles. How do viewers who know just one of the two languages follow?

Film needs to grow to a point where stunts used to further the story are believable. In Akim, there is a scene where the old man is shot. The old man falls in slow motion but it is clear he chooses how to fall consciously.

Then there is the comedy, “Stand Up Commedy” featuring Mr Happiness. You could clearly tell from the beginning that the main character was at pains to imitate Pablo, an accomplished stand-up comedian. In the film, the character tells jokes and laughs at them while bemused filmgoers keep walking out one after the other.

Some Nigerians have gone on to alongside some accomplished stars in the West. So have some Ugandans but industry leaders all agree it takes sustained good work to get there, not rushed projects. Despite being free and on a public holiday, the turn up was disappointing.

jkatende@ug.nationmedia.com