A scene from the movie Ssekukkulu: A Ugandan Christmas
The Christmas season is upon us and there are fewer people more prepared than Canada-based SHARON ISHIMWE. She is a young journalist who combines attributes of storytelling and public speaking to produce amazing works.
Also the founder of film-producing Engero Productions, she has spent the past five months shooting her debut movie, Ssekukkulu: A Ugandan Christmas, around different locations in the country.
It’s a real-life story about family, love, friendship and togetherness and on December 8, she will premiere her movie at Acacia mall’s Century Cinemax cinema. The Observer’s Geofrey Serugo was one of the few people to witness the movie’s final touches and in the time he spent with some of the cast, he discovered many inspirational stories.
At just 33 years, Ishimwe is doing wonders many people in the movie industry can only dream of. The exciting plot rotates around Mirembe, a single mother and breadwinner with her siblings; Mato, a village dreamer who mother and breadwinner with her siblings; Mato, a village dreamer who has taken to drinking; and Mukisa, a head teacher in Kampala.
They are celebrating Christmas with their mother and children in their ancestral home. The joy of their family reunion is threatened by their past and present clashes sparked off by Mato who resents his siblings for not giving in to his demands.
Mukisa’s wife Malia hates spending Christmas in the village while his son Patrick is heartbroken after learning about his village girlfriend Alina’s impending marriage to an older and richer man. As the family navigate their differences, they must also confront their painful past.
Despite their struggles, they eventually come together to celebrate Christmas, realizing that their love for each other is stronger than their conflicts. One thing for sure; it is a big-budget movie with a star-studded cast. According to Ishimwe, producing and directing the movie to life has been inspired by a collective nostalgia for the good old Ugandan Christmas.
“With meticulous planning, dedication and timeliness of this story, our crew and cast have crafted a cinematic experience that captures the Ugandan spirit of the season while also delivering a heartfelt message of unity, hope and love that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries,” she says.
“We have poured our hearts and souls into creating a film that we believe will resonate deeply with audiences, leaving them with cherished memories of the holiday season. The movie will not only entertain but also touch the hearts of audiences, bringing the spirit of Christmas back to life in the most heartwarming and extraordinary way,” she says.
“I hope that this film will serve as a source of inspiration for families and friends as they gather to celebrate the joyous holiday season.”
So, creating the first-ever Ugandan Christmas film in just five months has been a thrilling journey. “With every scene, our goal was to weave a tapestry of Ugandan holiday magic to transport audiences into a world they once knew and the joy of togetherness. From the earliest stages of conception to the final touches in post-production, we gave our all to every frame, infusing everyone with the warmth of cherished traditions,” she says.
“The movie will bring a touch of joy and wonder to your holiday celebrations as it has brought us in bringing it to life.”
CAST:
Hasifah Nakitende (Mirembe)
A single mother who lives with her mother and owns a shop. She feels responsible for her family and often clashes with her brother Mato, who is an alcoholic. Mirembe is a responsible woman who is determined to provide for her family and navigate the challenges of being a single mother.
Felix Bwanika Bbaale (Mato)
Mirembe’s brother who is an alcoholic and always feels like he is not favored by everyone. He believes he has many business ideas that his family never approves of but, in reality, he only wants money to gamble and spend on alcohol. Mato is struggling to find his place in the family.
Sarah Kisauzi (Mama)
A mother who is always trying to solve disputes amongst her children and advocating for peace within the family. She loves all her kids equally and is a source of wisdom for the family.
Edson Keith Abitegeka (Mukisa)
Mukisa is Mirembe’s brother, a father to Patrick and husband to Malia. He owns a high school which he manages with his wife Malia. Mukisa is navigating the consequences of having to deal with his wife’s mood swings as he is dealing with his provocative brother Mato.
Cleopatra Koheirwe (Malia)
She is Mukisa’s wife who hates aging and having another child. Malia is struggling to balance her desires with her responsibilities to her family.
Mark Agume (Mwebe)
Mwebe is an adopted son of Mirembe, who is secretly in love with his best friend’s sister, Alina. He struggles with loneliness and rejection after confessing his feelings to her. Mwebe is determined to navigate his emotions and the consequences of his actions.
Patience Kihunde Akiiki (Alina)
A young village girl who is in love with Patrick, Alina is patient and loyal, but her father, Mutooro, wants her to marry an older and wealthy man. Alina is determined to follow her heart, despite her father’s wishes.
Marvin Innocent Ngobi (Patrick)
Patrick is the young man who is in love with Alina. He is loyal to his parents and believes that he needs to finish his education and become stable before he can marry. He struggles with balancing his love for Alina and his responsibilities to his family. He is determined to work things out so he can end up with Alina.
Douglas Byaruhanga (Joff)
Joff is a young man and loyal friend of Mwebe and protective brother of Alina.
Who is Ishimwe?
Born and raised in Kampala, Sharon Ishimwe is a storyteller and the founder of Engero Productions. After years of storytelling through writing, public speaking, and working on documentary sets such as Nee Nee Productions’ multi award winning film Sauti, Ssekukkulu: A Ugandan Christmas is Ishimwe’s movie debut.
In Canada where she is currently based, Ishimwe is also the executive director of a non-profit organization, MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, and the co-founder of an early-stage startup, Lunch Buddies.
She holds a master’s degree in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada where she graduated Valedictorian and received the Senate Medal of Distinction. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications from Makerere University.
geofreyserugo1992@gmail.com
Source: The Observer
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