IAN DAVID OWORA is a Ugandan filmmaker who has been in the UK for more than 10 years and that is where he does most of his film works.
Owora was recently in Uganda to work on a movie project called The Kill List. Owora took a break from shooting and producing to talk to Nathan Atiluk about movies and the industry.
What is The Kill List about?
The Kill List is a movie acted by TikTok content creator Michael Sebamba known to many as MikeySeem2Funny. The project is about a man subjected to many sufferings and betrayal, who reaches his breaking point and, on a desperate attempt to search for an answer, loses the battle with his dark side and goes on a killing spree to numb his pain.
What inspired the script of this short film?
The film was inspired by the rise in mental health-related issues in men, with the spotlight on the increased male suicide rates; the fact that male fragility is a ‘sacred cow’ kind of topic and is avoided by men despite the very clear possible consequences of this silence. The film delves into such a scenario. The Kill List is a story about betrayal and revenge.
What has your journey into the movie industry been like?
My journey as a filmmaker has been challenging, yet fun. I started off as a grip on the movie titled Perfect Lie although I had already found my talents in creative writing as a poet. I always wanted my voice to convey my messages to the masses, and that’s how I got into film.
Where do you derive your scripts and direction for your movies?
My films are mostly of the fictional action and thriller genres that are based on the African narratives and folklore. I went on to grow more in the industry by working various roles on different film sets, and gathering friends and allies along the way.
To whom do you attribute your success?
I credit my discovery as a screenwriter to one of my mentors Richard Christian Ssekitoleko, who discovered the very first script I wrote and encouraged me to pursue the talent. He has since then been a great ally.
What other films have you worked on?
I have worked on several projects that include My First Year, The Perfect Lie, Child Of Woe, Dinner, Diamonds And Death, Blurred and The Kill List.
Why did you decide to make films from the UK instead of Uganda?
I am based in the UK but it’s funny that when it is time for a film project, I fly back to Uganda. I decided to focus most of my energy in Uganda because as the saying goes, East or West, home is best.
As a Ugandan-born and raised storyteller, I just find our stories so interesting and I wonder if the other people in other countries really know of these amazing stories.
How do you market Ugandan film to the Western world?
On my trips, I often sit with strangers and tell them of stories I lived as a child in my village of Katega and they are left bewildered, thinking I grew up in some fantasy magical land.
I make my films from Uganda to capture and share that magic to the many masses that didn’t have the chance and maybe perhaps they will get the courage to come and visit my motherland.
What do you make of the Ugandan film industry?
Ugandan film is a fast-growing industry that still has a lot of opportunities that are not properly utilised. A lot of talent goes wasted and unrecognized simply because we lack a proper and strong-enough platform to showcase our product to the whole world.
I believe we have what it takes; we just need unity to unleash it. If we compare the Ugandan industry to Hollywood or another country like Kenya our neighbour, our industry is indeed slow. I personally think this might be because of the lack of proper resources to aid proper growth.
There is also lack of patriotism especially in filmmakers that have made it in the film industries that are not Ugandan. We should set an environment that is friendly enough for knowledge repatriation back home from overseas Ugandan filmmakers.
And of course, there is the monetization problem, the average Ugandan filmmaker knows how to make the film and that’s it. Many filmmakers lack the knowledge of monetization and thus can’t make their creative work make back their money.
What has been your biggest project?
My biggest project in film so far is The Kill List that will be having its feature length production this year with a pretty decent budget and proper overseas distribution.
Which big names have you worked with?
I have been lucky to work with many industry professionals and actors both in Uganda and in the UK. I have worked with Erin Rose, Hellena Antonio of Nymeria Productions and many more.
FACT FILE:
• Ian David Owora is a director, screenwriter and filmmaker from Mukono district.
• Owora believes in making a mark in the art of African storytelling and film art.
• He attended Vision for Africa primary school, St Cyprian Kyabakadde High School for O-level and Bishop Cipriano Kihangire for A-level and then joined Kyambogo University where he did a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Management.
• Owora is currently in the UK.
