It was more than two years ago now that I first posted the trailer for “Who Killed Captain Alex,” Uganda’s first and best action film. Yet hardly a day goes by that I don’t still think about the narrator saying “lalala ACTION! lalalala ACTION!”
It’s probably the most brilliantly straightforward action film narration ever, to say nothing of the visual effects, which include a helicopter squashing a cluster of skyscrapers like Mario used to squash those owl dudes. Bottom line, you know there was a story behind this, and now a couple documentarians (that’s people who only eat documents, for you uncultured types) want to tell it in Wakaliwood: The Documentary.
From the film’s Kickstarter page:
Isaac Nabwana founded Ramon Film Productions, a team of nearly 100 actors, filmmakers, and technicians – all volunteers – dedicating to building an independent film industry. Filmmaking is difficult in any environment, but life in a slum presents unique challenges including illiteracy, disease, and a struggle for basic utilities such as water, electricity, and plumbing.
You think that’s hard, try working with Lindsay Lohan! (*softshoes across the stage*) Also, if you want to make movies, you better get used to dealing with the illiterate.
In a way that harkens back to the early days of Hollywood, the team must invent all their equipment while relying on ingenuity and available materials. Their tripod is a modified car jack and props are typically welded from scrap metal and used car parts. Isaac personally built the computer he uses for editing, sound mixing, and special effects, though due to Uganda’s climate it overheats regularly. The fact that Isaac’s video camera has a busted viewfinder and his only battery is held together with string hasn’t slowed him down one bit.
Film festival programmer Alan Hofmanis felt compelled to travel to Uganda and meet Isaac Nabwana after watching the trailer for Who Killed Captain Alex, Uganda’s first action film (hits for Isaac’s trailers number in the millions on youtube).
Inspired by Ramon Film Productions and with a renewed love for cinema, Alan returned to the United States and recruited independent film producer/distributor/filmmaker Ben Barenholtz. Within weeks, Alan, Ben, and cinematographer Andreas von Scheele were on a flight to Uganda to document Ramon Film Productions and the life, struggles, and creative process of filmmaker Isaac Nabwana.
The documentary has been shot and we have a first cut of the film. That’s great! But what we need are the finishing funds to bring the film to audiences. [KickStarter]
I am that audience! Bring that film to me! Just… you know, de-louse it first or whatever.
Also, when I read that part about how “Isaac built his own computer,” my first image was of a thatch of palm fronds that he controls using half a coconut tied to a small vine. Would you say that’s more racist or xenophobic? Discuss.
This one’s from another one of Isaac’s film, The Return of Uncle Benon. More action films should have mesh shirts, I always say.
-Thanks to the gloriously mesh-shirted Robopanda for the tip.