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Ugandan Warrior Film Reclaims Stolen Heritage
4 Oct
Summary
- Film collective Wakaliwood creates superhero movie about Buganda warrior.
- The film addresses the colonial theft of artifacts and advocates restitution.
- A unique soundtrack features live 'video joker' commentary, a Ugandan tradition.
Wakaliwood, a unique Ugandan film studio, has produced "Kibuuka Omumbaale," a 40-minute film commissioned by Chisenhale Gallery. This new work shifts focus to an international audience, specifically addressing the historical theft of cultural artifacts by colonial powers. The film tells the story of Kibuuka Omumbaale, a mythical warrior from the Buganda kingdom whose remains were taken to Cambridge University in 1906.
The narrative unfolds as a superhero movie, featuring a young man possessed by the warrior's spirit. This possession grants him powers to combat evil, paralleling historical anticolonial resistance. The film cleverly embeds historical lessons about colonial expropriation and the need for restitution, a point underscored by the reluctance of UK museums to return looted objects.
A distinctive element of the film is its dual soundtrack. Alongside the conventional audio, a "video joker" provides live, humorous commentary, a tradition from Kampala's street film screenings. This element, alongside the film's blend of action, humor, and social commentary, reclaims heritage and engages audiences with complex ethical issues.
