Internet trolls taunt ‘Beneath the Lies’ after suspension off air

POLLY KAMUKAMA

Circumstances surrounding the suspension of Beneath the Lies barely two episodes into its run on Urban TV have sparked a barrage of taunts and conspiracy theories from the public.

Angry fans have taken to social media to mock the show and its producers following the sudden halt accruing from loss of footage and filming equipment.

Daniel Omara in a behind-the-scene shot for ‘Beneath the Lies’

The popular four-season drama series had its much-anticipated debut on December 17 last year, and was supposed to be showing a new episode every week.

Fans were however taken aback when Urban kept showing only the first two episodes of the show soon after the second week.

A statement released on the series’ official Facebook page yesterday however finally cleared the air by announcing that that the show was forced to take a sudden break following loss of footage and filming equipment in a studio burglary last month.

Actors Gaetano Kagwa and Flavia Tumusiime getting upclose and personal in a steamy scene from the show.

“This is regrettable because the series had built a large following after only two episodes”, Michael Owor, Urban TV Station Manager, was quoted saying in the rather brief and reassuring brief statement.

But in a rather sick twist of events, scores of online users have left abusive messages questioning the producers’ common sense and integrity.

“You mean you guys never kept backup? You really are careless and suck! I mean who is so stupid to put all his balls in one basket apart from God?” one Osen Nsereko wrote in an expletive and slang-laden post.

The series’ creator and writer, Nana Kagga-Macpherson, seen here at the show’s premiere ceremony last month, was too devastated to give us a comment.

Several other critics weighed in and gave their own versions of what the truth of the matter might actually be, with the major one suggesting that the producers are not being honest.

“Nice way to tell the world you only had two episodes,” one Samuel Nick noted while another Facebook user by the name of Shakeerah Nahia sarcastically remarked that she saw it coming.

Others threatened to shift their loyalty to rival series Deception, whose fifth season premieres on NTV two days from now.

A police statement released today indicates that three suspects are being detained at Jinja Road police station in connection with the December 30 early morning crime on the series’ production studio in the upscale city neighborhood of Lakeside Villas.

Part of the show’s cast and crew at the premiere last month.

“The thugs struck when the crew had just finished shooting the last episodes and had gone out to relax after a long day’s work. Our officers are still scrutinizing CCTV footage to find possible clues,” read in part the statement.

The list of stolen items including camera math box, camera lens, camera body, desktop computers, laptops, DVD players and hard drives is valued at a whopping $76,000 (about Shs197.6m).

Fans are now hoping the incident won’t be akin to what happened in 2013 when the then super-popular local series The Hostel took a ‘Christmas break’ but never returned on air due to a number of production shortcomings.

It however particularly comes as big blow to the TV show that billed itself as a game-changer but yet faced damning reviews on the very night it premiered.

Created, written and co-produced by Nana Kagga-Macpherson, a Ugandan engineer that found fame in Hollywood as an actress and filmmaker, Beneath the Lies follows the story of two girls sold into sex slavery at an early age.

Their eventful journey to self-discovery is dotted with many scandals and controversies such as betrayal, drug-use, infidelity, lust and crime.

It is helmed by award-winning Kenyan filmmaker David Tosh Gitonga, and boasts a celebrity cast with little acting experience including Cedric Babu, Gaetano Kagwa, Flavia Tumusiime, Rabadaba, Hellen Lukoma, Suzan Nava, Daniel Omara and Patrick Idringi among others.

Kagga-Macpherson was too devastated to give us a comment by press time although she promised to get back to us soon.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

Rocky start for ‘Beneath the Lies’

POLLY KAMUKAMA

It only debuted two days ago, but Beneath the Lies has already come in for some harsh criticism.

Dozens of fans yesterday took to social media to voice their disappointment with the first episode of the four-season Ugandan drama series following its Urban TV premiere on Wednesday.

The series’ award-winning Kenyan director, David Tosh Gitonga (R) poses for a photo with actors Gaetano Kagwa and Lucy Bunyenyezi. (PHOTOS courtesy of Fashion Police 256)

Millions of excited fans across Africa are estimated to have tuned in at 10pm to watch the 30-minute opener, but as it now appears some of them were left regretting why they had to brave the night.

“The intrigue has been killed, they literally poured a lot of stuff out yet it is just the first episode,” one Grey Godwyns wrote of Facebook in response to our opinion poll on how the show fared with the audience.

Ojigbani Kojo, who also goes by the alias of Zero Brain on Facebook, was even less diplomatic in his assessment of the show that has been touted as a game-changer in East Africa.

Part of the series’ cast and crew at the Acacia Mall viewing party. (L-R) Salvador, Nava, Gaetano, Natasha, Flavia, Babu and Rabadaba.

Labeling the show ‘the flop of 2014/2015’, Kojo challenged the producers’ controversial casting decision that saw celebrities and socialites with little acting experience handpicked to take on all the lead roles.

“Lack of creativity will continue biting the film industry this side of town for long. What is so hard with scouting new talent…bring new faces to our screens,” Kojo reasoned before predicting that the series will fizzle out after a few months of airing.

His rather bitter rant has since been reposted several times, sparking a mixture of opinions about whether the show is worth the massive hype it generated in the months leading up to its unveiling.

The TV drama’s creator, Nana Kagga-Macpherson, addressing media at Acacia Mall on Wednesday evening.

Several other social media users also expressed their opinions about the drama, hailing its superb production but nonetheless doubting its potential to edge other hit series from across the region.

Directed by acclaimed Kenyan filmmaker David Tosh Gitonga, the series was however greeted with much love at a viewing party held to coincide with the debut at Acacia Mall in Kampala.

The glitzy red-carpet fete was attended by a number of high-profile personalities including aomg others first son Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba and renowned educationist Fagil Mandy, many of whom spoke highly of the TV drama.

They lauded its high production value, star-studded cast and the fact that it has somehow managed to get Ugandans excited about their very own product.

Actors Isaac Muhesi, Suzan Nava and Micheal Wawuyo came dressed for the event at Acacia Mall.

Created and written by Nana Kagga-Macpherson, a Ugandan actress and filmmaker with some experience in Hollywood, Beneath the Lies explores the journey of two beautiful girls as they seek to come to terms with their troubled past.

Its celebrity cast includes Gaetano Kagwa, Flavia Tumusiime, Natasha Sinayobye, Hellen Lukoma, Daniel Omara, Dedan Muyira, Suzan Nava, Rabadaba and Patrick ‘Salvador’ Idringi.

Others are Micheal Wawuyo Jr, Isaac ‘LK4’ Lugudde and Cedric Babu, who also doubles as a co-producer along with Kagga-Macpherson.

Comedian Patrick Salvador was in company of his actress fiancé Daphne Frankstock.

Kagga-Macpherson, an engineer by profession, said she came up with the concept to highlight a number of societal ills in Uganda such as child prostitution, sex slavery, corruption and increasing drug-use.

Gitonga, better known for directing Nairobi Half Life, on the other hand said it was high time that Africans started supporting their talents and productions.

But it now seems some sections of the audience expected him to better with the opening episode of the trailblazing weekly Ugandan show that will likely be viewed by millions on TV and online.

Businessman Cedric Babu (L), the series’ executive producer and lead actor, said he found the project worthy of injecting in his millions.

Opening with an apparently focal scene in the form of a sloppily-portrayed robbery, Wednesday’s episode succeeded in introducing us to all the main characters.

Steven Amaru (Babu) is an apparent philanderer and powerful lawyer whose ‘very personal’ laptop is stolen in the violent housebreak that left a gateman and two dogs dead.

Seemingly indifferent, he calmly calls two security experts Abe (Gaetano) and Mukasa (Omara) to investigate his estranged wife Kamali (Flavia) about the burglary.

Basketballer and former BBA housemate, Isaac Lugudde (L), along with fellow castmate Isaac Muhesi, looked more than delighted to be part of the team.

Kamali, who along with best friend Kaitesi (Sinayobye) appear to be prostitutes, later meets with Abe at a party and the two have implied sex before he confronts her about the crime.

Meanwhile, a gangster and pimp named Suna (Rabadaba), seems to have a disturbing history with Kamali, who now works for him, and under whose instruction she stole her husband’s laptop.

The producers possibly wanted to start the show on a grand note by throwing as many celebrities at us, but this noble move was rather blighted by limited plot and character development.

Actress Hellen Lukoma with fans at the premiere party.

Rather than leaving the audience battling to keep up with the fast unraveling plot and twists, it would have done the series justice if the opening episode came later in the show when we are well acquitted with the various characters and their backgrounds.

There was however no denying Gaetano and Flavia’s standout performance as an odd couple that shares a mysterious relationship based on lust and real love.

According to the series’ promotional trailer, the two media personalities will have one graphic tryst in the episodes to come.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

‘Beneath the Lies’ premieres this Wednesday

POLLY KAMUKAMA

Beneath the Lies, the much-anticipated Ugandan TV series, is set for a 10pm premiere on Urban TV this Wednesday.

Millions of viewers from Uganda and beyond are expected to tune in for the first episode of the four-season drama that has courted plenty of hype since beginning production earlier this year.

(L-R) Nana-Macpherson, Natasha Sinayobye, Deedan Muyira, Flavia Tumusiime and Daniel Omara at a social event recently.

The 30-minute opener is said to have been deliberately packaged to impress and hook the audience to the show that has already been billed as thrilling and intriguing.

“There is one major event in the first episode which sets the basis for the entire show and introduces pretty much all the characters,” said Nana Kagga-Macpherson, the show’s creator and writer.

Speaking to this blog in an exclusive interview yesterday, the Ugandan filmmaker who has previously worked in Hollywood also gushed about her choice of the director and cast.

A behind-the-scenes shot captures Natasha Sinayobye and Susan Nava in action.

The series is helmed by award-winning Kenyan filmmaker David Tosh Gitonga, whom Kagga-Macpherson says she admired after watching his globally-acclaimed film Nairobi Half Life.

“To me he is one of the best film directors in Africa, and he is the only one who could understand our vision for this series,” she said, pouring out praise to the show’s cast for being flexible with the Kenyan.

Beneath the Lies features an interesting cast of celebrities, socialites, singers, media personalities and models with little or no acting experience.

Fans will be looking forward to this steamy scene as seen the series’ promotional trailer featuring Gaetano and Flavia.

They include Cedric Babu, Gaetano Kagwa, Flavia Tumusiime, Natasha Sinayobye, Hellen Lukoma, Daniel Omara, Deedan Muyira, Suzan Nava, Rabadaba and Patrick ‘Salvador’ Idringi among others.

So famous are these people that Gitonga, a star himself, was at first worried about whether they would be able to obey his instructions. But they did.

And Kagga-Macpherson says she can’t help it because celebrities embody the kind of characters she likes to create.

The show casts a celebrity cast including (L-R) Gaetano Kagwa, Cedric Babu and Daniel Omara, seen here in a seemingly intense behind-the-scenes shot.

Beneath the Lies revolves around two beautiful girls, Kamali (Flavia) and Kaitesi (Sinayobye) who are sold into sex slavery at a young age.

Their quest to discover their true identity and purpose in life is entangled in a web of controversies including lust, betrayal, corruption and drug use among others.

Kagga-Macpherson, co-producing the series with Cedric Babu under their respective companies, Savannah Moon and Kinetic Management, says the story was inspired by a real life character she knows well.

Comedian Daniel Omara plays a a violent gangster is the series.

“I know a girl who was sexually abused as a child, and by the time she was ten her sex life was quite unbelievable,” she said of the story behind the show that will be showing weekly on Urban TV.

Given the series’ mature themes and content, it has been given the post-primetime slot of 10-11pm every Wednesday with a repeat on Sunday afternoon. It will also be available on a pay-per-view online channel.

Viewing Party

Meanwhile, producers have organized a viewing party to coincide with the series’ long-awaited premiere on Urban TV this Wednesday.

The invite-only red-carpet fete, to be held at Century Cinemax on Acacia Mall in Kampala, is expected to attract over 400 guests including celebrities, government officials and film industry personalities.

The purpose of the show, which opens with a cocktail at 6pm and will spill into an after party at a top city bar, is to give fans an opportunity to mingle with the series’ cast and crew.

There will also be screening of an extensive behind-the-scenes documentary before real-time viewing of the series’ first episode on the cinema’s gigantic screens.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

Bittersweet as ‘Hanged for Love’ premieres

POLLY KAMUKAMA

They made a profit of over Shs10m auctioning DVDs, but producers of Hanged for Love irked guests at the film’s premiere last Friday by screening it half way.

Hosted at Grand Imperial hotel in Kampala, the show started on a good note with swarms of excited moviegoers making their way to the venue ahead of the scheduled time.

The film’s writer and director, Richard Mulindwa (L) posing for a photo with fans at the red carpet.

There were free drinks and some thrilling dance and music performances to chill the excitement while the film’s cast and crew hit the red carpet dressed to the nines in honor of the big day.

But the evening soon took a dramatic twist as the film was stopped midway its screening to sell DVDs and allow sponsors to promote their products and services in a market-like atmosphere.

Some of the moviegoers who graced the premiere at Grand Imperial hotel.

Lack of a strong distribution chain in Uganda makes it hard for filmmakers to make money off their movies beyond the premiere.

There is thus a necessary evil to capitalize on big audience numbers at premieres by attempting to sell copies of the film’s DVDs at inflated prices.

Actress Hamida Mukandutiye is lifted high by an elated fan on the red carpet.

Quite often, the move backfires. But at least it was a success in the case of Hanged for Love, which managed to make a killing off original DVD sales on Friday.

Guests were however left crying foul considering some of them had to pay up to Shs500, 000 for the privileged VIP tables.

But the film’s writer and director, Richard Mulindwa, says it was better off that way because the later part of the film was poorly edited and thus would irritate the viewers.

NRIC’s head of Youth Dept, Desire Muhoozi, announcing the company’s endorsement to the film as Miss Uganda 2014 finalists look on with their herbal cosmetics gifts.

The film fetched a total of up to Shs10m in DVD sales and pledges from a number of sponsors and members of the audience.

Namunkekera Rural Industrial Center (NRIC), an agro-business company owned by President Museveni’s younger brother, Gen Salim Saleh, bought ten copies of the film each at Shs500,000.

The hefty financial support comes hot on the heels of a much bigger endorsement given to Miss Uganda 2014 by the same Nakaseke-based demonstration farm.

Some of the film’s actresses at the premiere.

“We are committed to supporting any activities that bring about youth employment,” Desire Muhoozi, NRIC’s Youth Department head, told guests at the premiere.

She was in company of five of the Miss Uganda 2014 finalists although the pageant’s controversial winner Leah Kalanguka was a no-show courtesy of her participation at the ongoing Miss World contest in London.

Much to the bemusement of the audience, the beauty queens were called to the podium to receive herbal cosmetics as a present from Alinyikira, a renowned downtown-based herbal products company and one of the show’s sponsors.

A cross section of the audience at the Grand Imperial Hotel on Friday.

The company bought DVDs worth Shs700,000 while Uganda Police pledged Shs300,000.

Uganda National Cultural Centre (UCC) bought one CD at Shs400000 on top of offering to host one free screening of the film at their National Theatre.

But there wasn’t as much love from the critics for the film that revolves around a fatal love triangle involving two men and one woman.

Actress Nisha Kaleme, seen here arriving with a colleague at the premiere, put on a standout performance.

The drama thriller stars fashion designer-cum-actress Deyby Wadsen in the lead role as Mia, an outcast girl who struggles with chronic menstrual bleeding.

She gets a new lease of life in a loving boyfriend Steve (Ronnie Rujumba) who gets her cured only to unfairly ditch him for a new man Mark (Bobby Tamale).

Feeling jilted and unable to reunite with his ex-flame, Jackie (Nisha Kalema), who once was desperate to patch things up, Steve murders Mark sparking off a sensational court battle that ends in a death sentence.

Before the film was suddenly stopped, critics had noted its mundane storyline, flimsy character development and some dragging scenes.

Wadsen, who had to take regular breaks during the shoot due to pregnancy complications, also wore the same emotionless demeanor throughout her otherwise dynamic role.

But there’s no denying the picture’s good graphics and editing, as well as a standout performance from Kalema.

The 21-year-old Journalism student and a spitting image of embattled singer Desire Luzinda said it was never her dream to act, but that she had reluctant bowed to pleas from family and friends to join the art.

She had her debut just this year in the WBS TV series It Can’t Be in which she plays the character of a promiscuous girl who is sleeping with a father and his son.

Hanged for Love will next screen at the National Theatre next week in the coming days.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

‘Hanged for Love’ premieres this Friday

POLLY KAMUKAMA

It’s been described as a dark love story, and it casts some of the hottest Ugawood actresses.

And after spending nearly an entire year in the making, Hanged for Love is finally set to premiere at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala this Friday.

Hamida Mukandutiye and Deyby Wedsen in a behind-the-scenes photo for ‘Hanged for Love’.

The feature film, written and directed by Richard Mulindwa, revolves around a love triangle involving two men and a woman that tragically ends in a violent murder and a death sentence.

“It’s a story of an ungrateful and obnoxious girl who ends up losing her life leaving behind a trail of devastation and broken pieces that can never be fixed,” Mulindwa says of the film that is loosely inspired by a real life character.

Wadsens and co-stars relaxing between takes on the set of ‘Hanged for Love’.

The film stars stunning Ugandan fashion designer-cum-actress Deyby Wadsens as the main antagonist, a poor outcast girl named Mia, who struggles with chronic menstrual bleeding.

Mia however gets a new lease of life after she meets and falls in love with a wealthy man, Steve (played by Ronnie Rujumba), who manages to get her cured.

A poster advertisng the film’s Friday premiere at Grand Imperial Hotel.

With her long-standing ‘curse’ finally lifted and her status in society elevated, she starts to catch the eye of particularly one man Mark (played by Bobby Tamale).

Can she really stay loyal?

A big chunk of the film takes place in court where an astute judge, played by Ugawood diva Hamida Mukandutiye, is presiding over a highly-publicized murder case stemming from Steve’s irrational actions.

Wadsens, fiance of singer Aziz Azion, plays the film’s main antagonist.

“The moral of the story really is that we must all be able to take responsibility for our actions,” Mulindwa says of the film that charts a crime of passion, and casts Fionah Birungi and Hadijah Nakanjako among other actors in the support roles.

The 28-year-old filmmaker and founder of Limit Productions Ltd, a leading local film production company, describes the drama-thriller as a dark love story.

Mukandutiye on the other hand praises the film for highlighting a number of topical issues concerning the Ugandan society including family breakdown, youth violence and corrupt public and social systems.

During a cocktail party held in Kampala last month to celebrate the film’s wrap, Wadsens too spoke highly of the film claiming the dynamic nature of her role bettered her as an actress.

Deyby Wadsens

The beautiful fiancé of local RnB star Aziz Azion is still developing her art having only appeared in It Can’t Be, the WBS TV series also directed by Mulindwa.

Friday’s premiere, to be held inside the spacious Didi’s Hall at Grand Imperial, will open at 6pm with a cocktail and some music performances first before the film screening.

Tickets to the event are selling at Shs20, 000 (ordinary seats) Shs50, 000 (VIPs) and Shs500, 000 for a full table, which comes with a five-star treatment of wine, eats and the film’s memorabilia.

Moviegoers also stand a chance of winning free tickets to the event by SMSing ‘H4L’ to 6063 using any telecom service provider.

See you there.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

‘City of Dust’ gets audience nod

POLLY KAMUKAMA

It was made over the course of four difficult years with no script and zero budget, and its producers at one point contemplated throwing in the towel.

But the painful journey to produce City of Dust ended on a positive note earlier this week as the film finally premiered to warm reception at the National Theatre in Kampala.

(L-R) James Bagyenzi, Maureen Jolly Nankya, Carlos Ombonya, Felix Bwanika and Young Kim posing with Ombonya’s son on the red carpet at the premiere.

Directed by Young Gul Kim, a 24-year-old Korean-American filmmaker who calls Uganda home, the drama film began production in 2010 but had to endure numerous interruptions owing to conflicting schedules and limited funding among other shortcomings.

The hassles however proved worthwhile on Tuesday as moviegoers and critics showered the film with praise.

Guests arriving for the premiere on Tuesday.

Although there were a few reservations about its sound and visuals, the film was largely hailed for its aesthetics, powerful themes and impressive performance from the cast.

The rather artsy piece exudes a documentary-like feel, and tells the story of an ambitious conman in Kampala whose life is turned around when one deal terribly backfires.

A cross-section of the audience at Tuesday’s premiere.

The 71-minute picture opens with a powerful Bible quote that likens human life to dust (Ecc 12:7) before taking you on the emotional journey of Mugisha (excellently played by James Bagyenzi) whose only goal in life is make so much money off fleecing people so as to be able to set up his own legitimate business.

He goes about his dubious intent with the help of a friend, John (Felix Bwanika), who unfortunately is not as smart and rational as himself – John won’t mind mugging you for a few bucks.

(L-R) Young Gul Kim, Carlos Ombonya and James Bagyenzi introducing their film.

The duo, both blighted by their deprived backgrounds and driven by sheer greed, however soon fall out after a huge sum of ‘dirty’ money they are meant to share mysteriously goes missing.

It is later revealed that Mugisha’s brother, a wanted man, initially stole the money from his boss. Mugisha in turn steals it from his brother, only to lose it to his duplicitous girlfriend, who is seen driving around in a posh car at the end of the film – presumable money well spent.

Kim’s academician parents were also in the attendance.

Kim, a graduate of Arts from the University of Southern California in USA, put a lot of artistic integrity to the film, even when he made it when he was just 20 and with only one previous film credit to his name.

He went for the risky-but-serious arthouse genre by ditching conventional storytelling techniques and instead using settings and a lot symbolism, such as the title itself and the subtle reference to religion, to drive the story forward.

(L-R) Ndorwa West MP David Bahati, Kabale woman MP Ronnah Ninsiima and the day’s emcee, filmmaker Jayant Maru.

The film also highlights a number of topical issues such as hypocrisy, human greed and laziness among youth, while using less dialogue and more of the characters’ emotions and actions to enhance scenes.

“It is a film about one man in a city full of new and lost dreams. I hope it gets society and the youth in particular reflecting on their lives,” Kim says of the film that was partly inspired by his own experiences as a regular victim of con schemes in Kampala.

Maureen Jolly Nankya and Carlos Ombonya as they appeared at the event.

The young filmmaker, who prefers to be called a storyteller, grew up in the upscale Kampala suburb of Muyenga having moved here with his academician parents when aged four.

He made a short film in 2009 from where he met most of the team that he would later the next year work with on Dust.

Bagyenzi, a former journalist who is currently trying to introduce filmmaking in his hometown of Kabale, leads the film’s small cast that also includes Carlos Ombonya, Felix Bwanika, Leone Menya and Maureen Jolly Nankya.

Polly Kamukama (C) and friends

Tuesday’s premiere was graced by a strong American and Korean community, as well as government dignitaries including MPs, David Bahati and Ronnah Ninsiima.

Bahati was greeted with a few hushed sneers from the American community in the audience, presumably  owing to his authorship of the now infamous Anti-gay bill.

Young Kim and Nigerian-born Ugandan actress Esther Jacum

The Ndorwa West MP was nonetheless applauded after pledging to donate Shs1m towards Bagyenzi’s project, which aims at teaching and equipping Kabale youngsters to make films.

It is also understood that part of the proceeds from the premiere’s ticket sales were dedicated to the same cause.

City of Dust will soon be available online and on DVD.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

‘Escape from Uganda’ shining in cinema

POLLY KAMUKAMA

It premiered in a glitzy ceremony at the Serena Hotel in Kampala last Friday.

And now, Luzira: Escape from Uganda, the $1m (about Shs2.6bn) budget co-production film between Uganda and India, is enjoying an impressive run in local cinemas.

Actor Micheal Wawuyo and his wife at the film’s premiere, held last Friday at Serena Hotel in Kampala.

Directed by Rajesh Nair, a 36-year-old Indian filmmaker who has lived a great deal of his life in Uganda, the action thriller is currently on a two-week long theatrical tour in Kampala.

It is screening concurrently at four cinemas – Century Cinemax, The Hub, Cinema Magic and Cinemax Cinema.

And word has it that the film which casts a mix to top actors from Uganda and India has become an instant hit with the local audience.

Reigning Miss Uganda Leah Kalanguka (2nd R) and her predecessor Phiona Bizzu arriving for the premiere last Friday.

It has been reported that most of the moviegoers turning up to watch the film are either of Indian decent or are young adults.

“We had a full house on Monday and Tuesday, and ticket sales for the remaining days are doing fairly well,” Lorrainne Oguttu, Century Cinema’s Events Coordinator, told this blog yesterday.

She says the film is being screened on an average of four times a day for the entire two-week arrangement it has with the cinema.

Singer Chameleone, seen here at the premiere with his wife Daniella, was given a cameo role in the film as part of a marketing gimmick to make it more appealing to Ugandans.

Each auditorium at the upscale cinema seats a maximum of 195 people, with each ticket costing an average of Shs15, 000.

Details of the entire deal are not clear although the film’s producers would normally have to pay at least Shs1m to a typical Kampala cinema to host a 90-minute screening.

It would thus mean that Luzira is pocketing a cool profit of at least Shs1.9m from each screening at Century. The four screenings per day would lead to an estimated net profit of Shs7.6m.

Part of the film’s cast and crew being introduced by the night’s emcee, Roger Mugisha, at last week’s premiere.

No Ugandan film has by far been able to hold such an extensive theatrical tour let alone make that kind of profits.

The general poor quality of Ugandan films coupled with limited marketing and negative audience perceptions has largely rendered local films unsalable in the cinema.

Many industry watchers are however hopeful the unprecedented success of Luzira will open a new chapter in Ugandan cinema.

Polly Kamukama at the premiere

The film

Based on a real life incident, the film details the story of a loving husband’s jailbreak plan to flee his wrongfully convicted wife.

It stars award-winning Indian actors, Rima Kallingal and Vijay Babu, in the lead roles as Shika and Jay, respectively – an Indian couple who find themselves embroiled in a double murder plot while residing in Uganda.

With Shika facing a life sentence in the notorious Luzira prison, Jay enlists the help of a wanted criminal CK (played by another Indian actor known simply as Parthieban) to come up with the elaborate escape plan.

The Indian High Commissioner in Uganda, Dr. Ramesh Chandra (L) and the film’s director, Rajesh Nair, at the premiere.

It also features a host of Ugandan actors including Micheal Wawuyo (detective Morais), Sam Bagenda (Mayor), Wilberforce Mutete (jailor) and Sherrie Kicoonco (rogue prisoner).

The others are Anita ‘Fabiola’ Kyarimpa (murder victim and Mayor’s daughter), Carlos Ombonya (thug) and singer Jose Chameleone as the drug lord Dada.

The film apparently became a hit in Asia and the Middle East soon after its initial release there in November last year, but it has been met with lackluster reviews in Uganda.

The cast for ‘Beneath the Lies’, an upcoming TV series also attended the glitzy premiere ceremony at Serena Hotel.

Critics have been quick to point out its lack of artistic credibility in telling the otherwise compelling story.

Despite its breathtaking cinematography, the film has been paned for flimsy character development, particularly with the main actress who seems to mechanically go in and out of scenes without drawing any audience empathy.

Chameleone’s character, his first acting role, can also be viewed as a failed marketing gimmick since it adds absolutely nothing to the story.

The same goes for the two song-and-dance sequences in the film, which would otherwise have complemented the subject matter and mood of the scene in a typical Indian film.

The criticism aside, however, there is no denying the public interest the big budget film has created for Ugawood, especially in an era where the local film industry is in dire need of international exposure.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

First Look: The intrigue and sex beneath the lies

POLLY KAMUKAMA

It has been massively promoted as a thrilling show full of intrigue, crime and sex.

And now, Beneath the Lies is promising to live up to its hype as seen in its first trailer released on YouTube yesterday.

Gaetano Kagwa and Flavia Tumusiime getting it on in the catchy trailer

The two-and-half minute clip offers some exciting insights into the much-anticipated Ugandan series, set to premiere on Urban TV next month, with its star-studded cast bringing on their A-game.

It contains a number of brief creatively-shot scenes, including one that charts a very saucy encounter between Gaetano Kagwa and Flavia Tumusiime.

The video opens with black-and-white footage in what appears to be a terrifying dream about a past experience.

Gaetano Kagwa and Flavia Tumusiime, seen here in a cosy scene, are the true stars of ‘BTL’ trailer.

In it, the dreadlocked singer Rabadaba, whose character we understand is a sleek gangster, is seen kidnapping two young girls and selling them off for a huge wad of cash.

The teaser then suddenly changes tempo, intermitting a violent burglary with clips of a meeting between two hitmen (comedian Daniel Omara and Kagwa) and a seemingly powerful criminal figure.

Daniel Omara’s character as a violent gangster is a far cry from the usual comic we have known him to be.

The figure, a duplicitous lawyer known as Steven Amaru, is played by hunky city socialite and entrepreneur Cedric Babu in his first known acting role.

Babu, who is seen during the meeting ordering the thugs to find a stolen laptop which he says contains valuable and sensitive information, is also co-producing the drama series under his Kinetic Management Company.

A screengrab of ragamuffin Rabadaba as he appears in the ‘BTL’ trailer.

Former TV presenter and singer Susan Nava on the other hand cuts a terrifying look complete with an unpredictable temper, gothic-style makeup and a bitchy attitude.

Little is known about the former K’la Wired and Login host’s character, although the trailer presents her as a ruthless brothel madam who tortures fellow women and is not afraid to die even when a man has her pinned at gunpoint.

Flavia Tumusiime and Natasha Sinayobye appear to play the characters of troubled girls kidnapped at a young age and sold into sex slavery.

The series’ other lead actors including Natasha Sinayobye, Hellen Lukoma, Salvador and Daniel Omara also make an appearance, with the latter seen wielding a pistol throughout the bigger part of the video.

But it media personalities Gaetano Kagwa and Flavia Tumusiime who unequivocally steal the show in the fast-paced trailer that has so far commanded over 2,500 views.

The duo, both of them still cutting their teeth in acting following a few past stints in movies, are seen to share a torrid relationship with each other.

Gaetano soon changes character and violently confronts Flavia in the drama’s trailer.

As it appears, Kagwa’s character, a handsome and charming criminal, was hired by Amaru to investigate his ‘wife’ Kamali, played by Tumusiime, about the stolen laptop saga.

Brief details of Kamali’s past life in the trailer seem to suggest that she is one of the kidnapped girls from the opening shot, and that she’s on her last job as Amaru’s sex slave.

But rather than stick to their assigned jobs, Kamali and Kagwa’s character fall in love, with their seedy romance epitomizing in one particular steamy scene.

Susan Nava cuts a terrifying look in the trailer, complete with weird makeup, hot temper and a bitchy attitude.

In that scene, midway the trailer, the frenzied couple is seen in a lavish hotel room romancing wildly before falling onto a bed, one on top of the other, both shirtless.

But Kagwa the thug soon turns on the sexy radio presenter as he violently grills her about the laptop, even grasping her throat in one gritty scene.

In the days leading to the trailer’s release, the drama series’ makers released a nine-and-half minute behind-the-scenes documentary in which the actors discuss the grueling production process and swear that Lies is the best thing to ever happen to Ugandan TV.

Speaking to this blog in an exclusive interview last week, the show’s award-winning Kenyan director David Tosh Gitonga told of how Lies is a true African story that combines different cultures and showcases the evils we face every day.

Its writer and producer, Hollywood-bred Ugandan actress and filmmaker Nana Kagga, has on the other hand described the 12-season show as a game-changer in East Africa.

And the rather catchy trailer couldn’t have come at any better timing than now when it’s barely weeks left to the show’s much-publicized premiere on December 15.

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‘Nairobi Half Life’ director hails Ugawood

POLLY KAMUKAMA

He has only worked here for a short while but it seems Kenyan filmmaker David Tosh Gitonga already knows a thing or two about Ugandan cinema.

The multi-award winning director behind the acclaimed film Nairobi Half Life has told of how talented and passionate Ugandan actors and filmmakers are.

David Tosh Gitonga says he is impressed by the talent and passion of Ugandan actors.

Gitonga is currently directing Beneath the Lies, the much-anticipated Ugandan TV series set to premieres on Urban TV this December.

And it seems the experience of working with a star-studded cast, on one of the most talked about upcoming local TV shows, has left the 32-year-old Kenyan in awe of our very own burgeoning industry.

“We Kenyans might be more experienced in film but Ugandans are certainly more passionate,” Gitonga told us in an exclusive interview last week.

A scene from ‘Nairobi Half Life’, a internationally acclaimed film by David Tosh Gitonga.

He described his experience working in Uganda for the first time as ‘great’, and said the series’ cast is giving him 150% of their dedication and talent.

Yet the Marketing graduate, who started out as a runner on big Hollywood film sets back in Kenya, was timid when he first got the call to helm the upcoming soapie that casts top Ugandan actors, artistes and socialites.

“I was working with a lot of celebrities that I thought it would be a problem, but they have turned out to be fantastic and eager to do well. Some of them have never acted before but so far so good,” Gitonga said.

Part of the female cast for ‘Beneath the Lies’, a much anticipated Ugandan TV series directed by Gitonga.

But he was even more surprised that the series’ producers, Cedric Babu and Nana Kagga, whom he had never met before, were interested in his services.

The duo, producing the show under their respective companies, Kinetic Management and Savannah Moon Production, had been introduced to Gitonga by Gaetano Kagwa, a celebrated Ugandan media personality and actor.

Kagwa had previously experienced Gitonga’s directing wizardry while they both worked on the hit M-Net series, Changes, back in 2011 as actor and director, respectively.

Gitonga with Polly Kamukama at last year’s International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in Netherlands.

Now, Gitonga says he is amazed at the amount of work Kagwa and the rest of the team is putting into Lies, a drama series he describes simply as ‘intriguing’.

Kagwa, a Big Brother Africa I finalist, is joined by a string of other celebrities to complete the predominantly novice cast of the 12-season show.

The other actors include: Cedric Babu, Patrick Idring, Flavia Tumusiime, Susan Nava, Natasha Sinayobye, Daniel Omara, Hellen Lukoma, Rabadaba and Diana ‘Deedan’ Muyira among others.

‘Beneath the Lies’ casts a mixture of professional Ugandan actors, celebrities and socialites.

Nana Kagga, a Ugandan actress and filmmaker who has registered some success in Hollywood, wrote the series whose riveting narrative apparently involves love, blackmail, crime and sex.

Gitonga however describes the drama as a true African story that combines different cultures while showcasing the evils we face every day.

“This is local TV like never before. There is no doubt it’s going to be a game changer in East Africa,” asserted the Kenyan whom many African cinema watchers today rank among the finest on the continent.

Gitonga has had his life and career turned around following the global success of ‘Nairobi Half Life’.

And you can trust Gitonga to know a thing or two about game-changing having himself got his life and career turned around following the meteoric success of Nairobi Half Life.

The film, Kenya’s first ever submission into the Oscars’ Best Foreign Language category, debuted in July 2012 and has since gone on to garner international acclaim for its realistic portrayal of Nairobi’s hustle and notorious criminal underworld.

It tells the uplifting story of a young aspiring actor trying to make it big against all odds in the crime-infested city.

When I first met Gitonga at the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR) in Netherlands in January last year, Half Life had just failed to make into the final five-film nomination list for the 2013 Best Foreign Language Oscar.

He told me that he was unfazed by the Oscars snub, and that he was instead more pleased with the fact that his film had put African cinema on the world map.

And last week, he told of how the film, his last known project before Beneath the Lies, has given him a new life both as a filmmaker and as a man.

“I don’t have to show my CV to anyone now because they already believe in what I can do,” he boasted with a smile before quickly reaffirming the fact that the film has inspired many young African filmmakers.

Gitonga at work on the set of ‘Beneath the Lies’.

But the talented soft-spoken Kenyan also admits Half Life’s massive international success set the bar too high for himself- which is why he’s taking his time to release another film.

He however says he is working on a couple of TV shows and films back in Kenya, and that he has so far completed three episodes of Lies.

He says international co-productions and cross-border collaborations is the way to go for East African filmmakers since it comes with a wider market base and audience.

And we can only hope that Beneath the Lies, a collaborative effort itself, cashes in on that trend.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com

New Ugandan TV series to fight cancer

POLLY KAMUKAMA

A new Ugandan TV series is promising to contribute to the fight against cancer by educating the public and raising awareness about the deadly disease.

Crossroads, a rather apt title for the drama show about a disease that kills more people than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined, began production last week and is set to premiere on Urban TV this December.

Part of the series’ cast posing for a picture with rapper Keko (3rd L) at the production flag-off cocktail last week.

The series’ writer, actress Diana Kahunde, has described its storyline as a poignant tale of the plight of cancer sufferers – particularly children – and their families.

“We basically set out to explore the various dynamics of cancer in Uganda with special focus on children,” Kahunde told guests at a cocktail party held in Kampala last week to flag-off production of the five-season soap.

The series’ writer, actress Diana Kahunde (R) goofing about with another actress at the production launch cocktail.

The 28-year-old former beauty queen and actress, better known from her stint with The Hostel, told of how she was approached by the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation (UCCF) to create a TV show that would aid in the struggle against the deadly disease.

UCCF, an NGO that seeks to offer comprehensive support to children suffering from cancer, has along with other line organizations continuously grappled with the ever surging number of childhood cancer victims in Uganda.

Most Ugandan families, such as this one seen at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), are too poor to afford proper treatment for the deadly disease.

According to recent statistics, the ‘silent killer’ disease claims at least 2,000 Ugandan children every year – which is about quarter the total number of cancer fatalities.

Childhood cancers are often the result of DNA changes in cells rather than lifestyle or environmental risk factors as is the case with many of the cancers in adults.

Actress Diana Kahunde and journalist Polly Kamukama at the cocktail.

Burkitt’s lymphoma, the most common childhood cancer in Uganda, is notorious for its low survival rates. It is said to hide in the victim’s body, viciously attacking the lymphatic system until it reaches its mature stages when it is no longer curable.

Doctors however say childhood cancers are easily treatable when detected early, although the challenge in Uganda is that most cases go undiagnosed.

Childhood cancer survivor, Moses Echodu, narrates his battle with the deadly disease that saw one of his ribs removed during treatment.

Even the few that are diagnosed do not receive proper treatment because they cannot afford the extremely expensive surgery and drugs required to treat cancer.

“If it weren’t for limited knowledge, late diagnosis and lack of adequate funds for treatment, 70-85% of many types of childhood cancer in Uganda could be cured,” Ben Iraka, UCCF Operations Manager, has told this blog.

The series is supported by a number of cancer advocacy groups, NGOs and government agencies including Ministry of Health and Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).

UCI Director Jackson Orem says the TV drama will be the strongest advocacy tool in the fight against cancer in Uganda.

Asked about the viability of a soap opera in the fight against a killer disease, UCI Director Jackson Orem explained that television and entertainment have unequalled power to change people’s mindsets.

“We will continue to run other advocacy campaigns but we are hopeful that this TV show will be the most effective of them all since it appeals to people of all walks of life,” Orem asserted.

Crossroads is produced by Bored Digital, a nascent multimedia company, and will be directed by Davidson Mugume of The Hostel fame.

It stars a stellar lead cast of top Ugandan actors including Daniel Omara, Rehema Nanfuka, Usama Mukwaya and Diana Kahunde.

Others are Joshua Poro, Dianne Turyamureeba, Gida Oyonbot, Cate Ayella and Douglas Sebamala.

The series will tussle for Urban TV viewership and ratings with another upcoming local soapie, Beneath the Lies, which also debuts this December on the same channel.

kamukamapolly@gmail.com