POLLY KAMUKAMA
After enjoying some good promotional buzz, the much-anticipated Ugandan film, Reform, is set to premiere tomorrow (Tuesday 13th, May 2014) at the National Theatre in Kampala.
The feature film is a partnership between Buddo Secondary School and Zenken Films, a local movie production studio, and is meant to inspire teenagers with a powerful message of faith and redemption.
A poster advertising the film’s premiere tomorrow.
Written and directed by Joseph Kenneth Ssebaggala, alias Zenken, Reform is a coming-of-age story of a former high school badboy-cum- preacher and motivational speaker.
A born again Christian and multi-artist, Zenken revealed to us in a recent interview that the film was inspired by his own faith, and that it was intended to restore a sense of hope among troubled youngsters.
‘Reform’ features a predominant student cast, including these teenage girls seen in a picture taken on the film’s set.
Much of the film takes place at school, and follows the turbulent life of its teenage protagonist, Kato (Mark Katamba), as he struggles to regain his ‘popularity’ after a spell of run-ins with the school authority.
An academic dumbbell and notorious character, Kato is eventually forced to join a reading club where he is paired with Grace (Justine Namuganda), a divine girl he loves to hate. Can the odd pair really get along?
The film follows the eventful life of one Kato, a high school deadbeat-cum-preacher.
The film’s two-minute trailer, now available on Youtube, offers some interesting insights into Kato’s eventful life – ranging from terrorizing fellow students to falling in love with the girl that eventually saves his life.
Yet, there is much more to the story that Kato’s inspiring journey: The film explores many vital themes of teenage life including love, acceptance, violence and drug abuse among others.
Buddo students having fun on the film’s set.
Exclusively shot around Buddo, Reform pairs a predominant novice cast, by way of Buddo students, with a few established actors including Charles Kabogoza a.k.a Chris from NTV’s Deception.
It is Zenken’s second film this year. His short, Nico the Donkey, recently premiered as one of the four vignettes that make up the Raising Voices-commissioned docu-film, There is Always a Way, Because I Have the Will.
31-year-old Zenken, seen here on a previous set, says the film was inspired by his own Christian faith.
Tomorrow’s premiere will however also come as a consolation for Zenken after he was recently forced to abandon a feature project eighty percent into its shoot due to location problems.
And the 31-year-old experienced director is hopeful the red-carpet event will be a success. Gates open at 5PM with a cocktail and music performances paving way for the screening.
Tickets are selling at the theatre box office for Shs30,000 and Shs20,000 for general audience and students, respectively. For more information, contact 0774202525. See you there.
The Critic 