Wakaliga Uganda Review: Superhero Film with Hardboiled Cops

The Chisenhale Gallery in London is currently exhibiting a new commission from Wakaliga Uganda, a film-making collective known for its distinctive approach to action cinema. This collective, based in Kampala, Uganda, creates action movies utilizing local talent from the streets of Kampala, props constructed from scrap materials, and desktop special effects, all infused with a significant amount of wit. Their breakout film, "Who Killed Captain Alex?", gained international attention for its narrative about a martial arts master seeking revenge against mafiosi responsible for his brother's death. The film reportedly featured helicopter gunships, shootouts, and kung fu showdowns, and was produced with a budget of only a few hundred dollars, distinguishing it from typical art gallery fare despite its shoestring production.

Wakaliga Uganda, also known as Wakaliwood, was co-founded by Harriet Nakasujja and Isaac Nabwana. The studio first entered the wider art world's consciousness in 2017 when it was featured in Documenta, a prominent German art festival. This inclusion was part of a broader trend in the art world to recognize cultural productions from independent collectives outside of Europe and North America, particularly those that develop innovative funding methods. For instance, Wakaliga Uganda reportedly used funds to install fiber-optic cables in its neighborhood, demonstrating a commitment to community development alongside filmmaking. The studio's entry into the international art circuit has coincided with an increase in production value and, as suggested by their new commission at the Chisenhale Gallery, a subtle evolution in their artistic direction and objectives.

The new commission at the Chisenhale Gallery, titled "Wakaliga Uganda review – a blistering superhero movie with hardboiled cops and a nefarious ‘girl with a voluminous bum’", continues the studio's tradition of energetic storytelling. The exhibition highlights a young man who is depicted as being possessed by the spirit of a mythical Buganda warrior. This character leads the film-making collective’s new work, which is described as an "explosive diatribe against the theft of cultural artefacts." The film also features the assistance of a "video joker," further emphasizing the collaborative and unconventional production methods employed by Wakaliwood. The review suggests that this new piece, while maintaining the raw energy and wit of their previous work, also signals a more focused thematic exploration and potentially a higher level of artistic ambition, building upon their established reputation for low-budget, high-impact cinema.