Bala Bala Sese is a Ugandan film directed by Lukyamuzi Bashir based upon a screenplay by Usama Mukwaya,[1][2] starring Michael Kasaija, Natasha Sinayobye, Raymond Rushabiro, Ismael Ssesanga, Fiona Birungi, Ashraf Ssemwogerere and Ddungu Jabal. It's the director's, writer's and producers' debut feature film.[3]
| Bala Bala Sese | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Lukyamuzi Bashir |
| Screenplay by | Usama Mukwaya |
| Produced by | Usama Mukwaya Lukyamuzi Bashir |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Alex Ireeta |
| Music by | Nessim Mukuza |
Production company | Badi World |
| Distributed by | Côte Ouest Audiovisuel JAMO Film Distributions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | Uganda |
| Language | Luganda |
Plot
editA boyfriend's battle for love through perseverance. In the outskirts of Sese Island, John (Michael Kasaija) is madly in love with Maggie and both are willing to take their love forward. Facing abuses and harassment by malicious Maggie’s father Kasirivu (Raymond Rushabiro), John, helped by his young brother Alex (Ssesanga Ismael) is determined to take in all but to retain the love of his life especially when he finds out that he has a contender village tycoon (Jabal Dungu) who is also lining up for Maggie (Natasha Sinayobye).
Cast
edit- Michael Kasaija as John
- Natasha Sinayobye as Maggie
- Raymond Rushabiro as Kasiriivu
- Ashraf Ssemwogerere as Ireene
- Fiona Birungi as Elena
- Ismael Ssesanga as Alex
- Ddungu Jabal as Zeus
- Allen Musumba as Nanziri
- Andrew Kizito as Siim
Production
editFilming
editPrincipal photography on Bala Bala Sese began late 2012 and wrapped 2014.[4] The movie was filmed on the Ssese Islands in Uganda, from which it takes its name.[3]
Release
editThe film was released on 3 July 2015 at theatre Labonita.[5][6] Bala Bala Sese is rather the very first Ugandan project to receive a professional marketing approach and one of the top local productions of that year and the following year.[7][8] It was nominated in the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best Film in an African Language.[9] It held its African premiere at the Luxor African Film Festival in Egypt and competed in the long Narrative category among 13 other African films.[10][11][12] It was the opening film at the 10 Amakula International Film Festival and automatically qualified for the Golden Impala Award in the best African film which was won by De Noir.[13][14]
Music and soundtrack
editThe soundtrack album for Bala Bala Sese was composed by Nessim (music producer) with the official theme song Wuuyo recorded by A Pass and Nessim again of Badi Musik. The song became the singer's most successful single to date. The official video of the song premiered on 20 March 2015 at Club Guvnor and features clips from the movie.[15][16][17]
Awards
editNominated
edit- 2016: Long Narrative, Luxor African Film Festival
- 2016: Golden Impala Award, Amakula International Film Festival
- 2016: Best Film in an African Language, 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards
- 2016: Helsinki African Film Festival Jury Award for Human Rights and Social Commentary.[18]
- 2016: Best Feature Film, Africa International Film Festival.[19]
The motion picture has also been named as one of the best films of 2015 and 2016 by various ongoing critics.
- 4th – Anicee Gohar, Scoop Empire
- 4th – Elizabeth Mcsheffrey, British Airways, Highlife
- 1st – Douglas Sebamala, Monitor Uganda
References
edit- ^ Kamukama, Polly (12 April 2012). "The Observer - Mukwaya, the self made filmmaker". Observer.ug. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ Run time: not applicable. "Bala Bala Sese | Ugscreen - Ugandan Movies, Actors, Movie News". Ugscreen. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
- ^ a b Kamukama, Polly (3 January 2013). "The Observer - Kasaija, Natasha take romance to screen". Observer.ug. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ Republic, Matooke (23 April 2015). "A Pass' Wuuyo video is snippet of upcoming Bala Bala Sese movie". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ Kaggwa, Andrew. "Natasha, Michael set to relive romance on screen". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Glitz and Glamour At The Premiere Of Bala Bala Sese Movie". Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Ugandan cinema slowly getting deserved attention". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Bala Bala Ssese movie premieres". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Africa Movie Academy announces full list of 2016 Nominations". Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Ugandan films vie for $4,000 prize at Luxor festival – theinsider.ug". Retrieved 30 August 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "LAFF - Long Narrative". www.luxorafricanfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ Kaggwa, Andrew. "Ugandan films for international festivals". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Bala Bala Sese - Uganda - Amakula". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "AMAKULA International Film Festival Returns - Proggie - Events in and around Kampala!". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "A pass' Wuuyo Soundtrack For The Bala Bala Sese Movie - Chano8". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "A-Pass' Wuyo to be used as soundtrack in a local movie". 26 March 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "celebcartel.com". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ haff.fi/2016/en/haff-2016-jury-awards/
- ^ "Final Selection". AFRIFF. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2018.