My Thoughts

MONARCHS: The necessity of social institutions.

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

During King Charles III’s coronation, there were anti-monarch protesters with placards that read ‘NOT MY KING. The groups’ quarrel in brief; “Hereditary public office goes against every democratic principle,” they state. “And because we can’t hold the King and his family to account at the ballot box, there’s nothing to stop them abusing their privilege, misusing their influence or simply wasting our money.” – Republic ( an anti-monarch group founded in 1983) Differing from thought and principle, another larger group celebrated the Prince who waited 70 years for the throne to-become King!

Likewise, Uganda has over 21 recognised Kings for the multi-cultural indigenous tribes in the country, and the Kabaka of Buganda the most prominent. Although Kings and cultural leaders are not politicians or heads of the central government, they do wield insurmountable influence and power over society and the leadership. So, the question I asked myself while I watched the bedazzled crowning of England’s 13th monarch since the union was simple but heavy,

HOW IMPORTANT ARE KINGS IN A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM?

a.Representation.

In a country with over 50 tribes of distinct Languages, norms and traditions, identity and the need to belong is more pronounced. Individuals and families in Uganda attach themselves to respective sects through last names and sometimes dress codes. This is to exhibit their tribal affinity in communities. A definition of who they are, either a muganda, musoga, munyakore, Acholi, Itesot or Langi (to mention but a few). The sense of self, root and originality.. and all this is represented by the Kings, Chieves and Queens crowned. So, like religion and race, tribes do provide a fellowship for so many.

These Tribal leaders therefore, can be and often are, metaphorical symbols of your standing in society. The status of your King can influence or impact your own repute, directly or indirectly. The public services you access and ultimately the environment you call home. They’re at times the voice for their respective tribe to central government. A quite whisperer to the democratically elected men and women in such a multi-tribal nation lobbying for his or her tribesmen. One can say, these institutions fight the bigger battles you can’t fight on an individual level.

b. Preserving History

‘Where did I come from?’ This is a question asked by so many globally who are trying to trace their hereditary origins. This can be a futile endeavour if such monarchs didn’t exist. Contrary to most elected leaders, Kings are tasked and find it as a noble duty to preserve what their fore fathers have left behind and continue the traditions in these evolving times. Without these cultural institutions, history can easily be rubbed away by the next elected leader who doesn’t carry similar political ideologies with the outgoing.

‘Olusesse’ is one of the dying languages in Uganda and the lack of a King or cultural leader is predominantly the reason why. In a century from now, it might be forgotten and gone from people’s minds. Similarly, various tribes are unknown and are a candle in the wind. Imagine your child asking you about their name and you have no idea where it is from, or why it is so?

The Ugandan tourism sector has profitably earned from the existence of these cultural institutions over the years. The reason people come to see your culture is for the uniqueness, beauty and perseverance.

c.Presitige

Pride. Kings offer extended joy and prestige to it’s people. The way you feel when your favourite sports teams win the championship or athlete is awarded the MVP of the year. You feel that you win when they win, loose when they loose, from the sense of belonging comes a sense of prestige too.

THE PROBLEM

In 1967, Obote abolished all Kingdoms when he deemed them a threat to his power and presidency. Similar sentiments have been held by other leaders who have exercised more level-headed tactics in dealing with the influence Kings have on society. Most politicians would rather not have to deal with Kings but likely envy the permanence of position, such cultural leaders hold. Death seemingly being the greater threat to their power and not an election. A king is on the throne for life and what politicians would give to have that.

Other people like the Republic group in England simply feel they should choose their own leader. Not to wait for one birthed down for them.

Today, in most African, European and Asian countries with Kings and cultural leaders, you find a people split in opinion. For and against the monarchy. The United Arab Emirates would be a compelling study for a monarchy that works since many elected leaders have led their countries into destruction scanting over issues of development and economic independence for the general public but rather focus on self improvement and wealth accumulation as fast they can before the next election.

CONCLUSION

Monarchs are likely to exist as long as society does, in whatever form they will in the technological era to come. As of now I think, I’m waiting for an integrated world without borders that will speak one language and see no colour, tribe or race. When this happens then maybe, Kings will no longer serve the innate human need to belong.

ABOUT ME:

I’m a God fearing Ugandan writer, film producer and artist working in the Ugandan media industry for over the last ten years now and am thankful for the experience, the people I’ve met and the modest living I’ve earned along the way. Thank you for reading this blog. You’re a unicorn. So continue being awesome and kindly share with a friend, leave a comment and subscribe to keep in the know of what I write weekly every Friday! See you next time. Stay Kind.

Find me @edrismatu on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, and Linkedin

DID WE NEED A Harry Potter REBOOT?

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

Over 120 films released in the last five years from Hollywood have been reboots and 200 announced/ released sequels. Not to mention the TV series reboot titles that have either blossomed or have been cancelled after a single season and faded away. Come April 2023 and WarnerBrosDiscovery announces that they have ordered for a 10-year long HarryPotter TV series to retell the books more ‘exhaustively’. A so called faithful reboot of the beloved HarryPotter books. Now, I’m a fan of the Wizarding World and I didn’t like this news one bit. Elsewhere, Disney announced a quiet unnecessary live-action MOANA, that was received with mixed expectations but Hollywood seems determined to dusting off old IPs and tapes for a more ‘fresh’ take. The question is, do we need these REBOOTS? Let’s get into it.

WHY THE REBOOTS?

a. Safe Gambles

The fundamental purpose of any business is to make as much profit as possible and Hollywood studios are always on the search for the next box-office hit. The now ‘billion movie club’ is the epitome of a ‘film success’ and Game of Thrones’ viewer numbers , the standard for TV shows. Over the years, trends of what film genre to release have evolved from the western-cowboy flicks, Historical Epics, romantic comedies to Superheroes movies and now it seems the dust has settled on REBOOTS – SPINOFFS + SEQUELS and the occasional GAME or BOOK adaptations. Whatever brings in the money is what studio executives will green light. A safe Gamble in the dynamic and cutthroat industry where executives have board members looking over their shoulder and waiting for dividends. The pressure is high to avoid a box office flop or order for a tv show that no one watches.

The HarryPotter films grossed close to 8Billion dollars on a 1.2billion dollar budget, and that is as close as a guaranteed profit for the newly merged WarnerBrosDiscovery to a brand new risky idea. It’s a beloved franchise and even though am not over the moon over the Harry potter reboot idea, I will surely check out that series when it’s released. It the safe gamble for big money strategy that has birthed this self-cannibalising era.

‘I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread‘ Bilbo Baggins tells Gandalf in the Lord of Rings.

This is the kind of statement that intellectually defines what Hollywood is going through extending stories into bloated projects with reboots, sequels and spin-offs. some are welcome but most are simply unnecessary.

b. Social Media

Gone are the good old quiet days when film producers didn’t have to deal with every single persons’ opinion publicly. Today, ticket buyers and anyone who hasn’t watched a single frame of a movie has an opinion and they will aggressively air it out. That opinion garners support then boils into a #hashtag then starts trending and eventually studio executives are pressured into questionable decisions.

Too many cooks spoil the meal. Creative decisions should not be surrendered to the mass group. Reason: not everyone knows what they are talking about, and predictably they are the same people who will turn around and criticise the idea if it does not work out. Unfortunately, some studios have fallen prey to this assertive group prior to production. I say, put out the movie and then listen to social media opinions but rely on fellow professionals to craft and mould a good product during pre-production.

Films are made for the people but not all people have the skill and artistic temperament of creating blockbuster ideas.

c. No new good ideas?

Some have argued that a brilliant idea comes once in a hundred years, but I’m skeptical that there are no new film stories to tell. The highest grossing film of all time, AVATAR was a risky new ‘story idea’ and so are the many other blockbusters that have emerged from unknown IPs and have turned into gold. So, is it a question of studios shying away from taking risk or are there really no new ideas? Are we stuck with recycling old tales and expanding what we already have? Maybe or maybe not.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

a. Expand don’t reboot

If there are indeed no new ideas and studios will not take risk on non-IP stories, then instead of rebooting old films, expand on the story. I don’t mind a sequel or a spin-off. It gives me a chance to explore the world set-up in my favourite movie. This actually works much better, i.e The JohnWick movies spinning off into Ballerina, Fantastic Beasts for the HarryPotter films, House of the Dragon for Game of the thrones. (You get the idea) Let’s venture into the past or future whilst maintaining the respect and status of the original material. Reboots are always going to face comparison to the original, and if you are not much, much, much better, then you are doomed! I would have loved to hear a new Wizarding TV show based in Durmstrang, Illvermorny or any of the other wizard schools but a reboot? Really?

b. A 30 and more year rule

It takes at least 30 years for major technological advancement and probably a renewed interest in an old story that will look fresh to a brand new generation. So can Hollywood have a rule that no movie can be rebooted until at-least after 30 or more years? This way, you are actually giving the audience something afresh. So please skedaddle away from these needless safe bets. Please.

CONCLUSION

I strongly believe that a HarryPotter reboot was unnecessary and I wish they ‘WarnerBrosDiscovery’ would have just expanded on the Wizarding World. There are other more schools to venture into and more characters yet unseen. This was a missed opportunity and I’m not sure if it will be the success executives hope it will be. Until then…

ABOUT ME:

I have been working in the Ugandan media industry for over ten years now and am thankful for the experience, the people I’ve met and the modest living I’ve earned along the way. Thank you for reading this blog. You’re a unicorn. So continue being awesome and kindly share with a friend, leave a comment to continue the conversation and let’s get talking. See you next time.

Find me @edrismatu on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, and Linkedin

EVIL DEAD RISE : a confined film that excels

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

As a screenwriter myself, I’m often critical of the screenplay and plotting of any movie I get to see. Despite late rewrites and unforeseen production challenges, the finished edit more so often looks a bit different from paper and at times drastically apart. This can better the film or destroy the vision. So when a story unfolds as tightly as possible on the screen, my hat is off for the team.

Evil Dead Rise understands its limits and utilises the playground available in almost all the clever ways the Horror genre can allow. Location, Time, Cast and a budget of 19 million dollars with a box-office of 90 million as I post this, That’s good business.

*SPOILERS AHEAD

THE GOOD.

a. A confined story

Director and writer Lee Cronin keeps things intimate, tight and confined. One main location, 2 lead actors, 3 supporting and an affordable entire movie cast of about 10 characters. Either limited by budget or carrying on the franchise’s theme of a ‘small group of people trapped in a house’, Lee strikes the right horror chords with a simple linear family story that is relatable, scary and gory. The whole film lasts for one day’s night to dawn. This lends the story urgency and the claustrophobic element that works with horrors.

Evil Dead Rise centres on two partially estranged sisters; Beth and Ellie, who are struggling with life individually but find themselves trapped in this old pre-condemned apartment with Ellies’s three kids and few cleverly numbered neighbours. The two sisters are both at the precipice of their old lives and need each other to start anew in life, but after a mild earthquake unearths the book of the dead and curious teenage son Danny plays one of the old phonograph records, a demonic entity is summoned. The evil posses Ellie and she charges through the building to kill everyone before dawn. Simple and Effective.

There is barely a boring pass-time moment in the film. From the first drone frame flying through the woods to the last similar shot in the building basement, Evil dead rise is on a budget and has neither time nor space to waste. Lee escapes the need to meander locations and backstories flashbacks, turning his shortages into gold. Most of the creative choices the production team makes are on point. They serve the film not hinder it.

b.Creative shots and tricks

With over 1000 Films released a year, as a viewer you’re always looking for something fresh and intriguing. It may be recycled but the application of a skill or trait can turn something old anew. Three moments stood out for me in the film.

1.The drone and peephole shots. At the opening of the movie Cinematographer Dave Garbett utilises a drone shot that slithers through the woods and works efficiently to represent an ominous evil entity but most importantly sets the tone; This is a scary movie and something bad is about to happen. The same shot goes on to represent moments of possession for Ellie and Jessica effectively as the unseen demon watching our unknowing characters. It’s brilliant. Now you might argue that drone shots are not a new thing today and you are right, but the application here felt necessary as opposed to coming off as a trick that the cinematographer wanted to experiment with. It serves purpose.

After possession, Ellie is locked out of the house and roams the hallway killing, waiting and trying to cunningly persuade pre-teen daughter Kassie into letting her in. We are immersed into the peeping of what is beyond the room through a concave lens shot of a peeping hole and it works beautifully. To reiterate, this shot is not a new invention but the..application.

2.The grater. The moment when Bridget attacks Beth in the kitchen and grates her calf was something unexpected. Gory and befitting of the genre. It reminded me of a scene in the (2005) House of Wax slasher film where a character’s Achille’s tendon was cut with scissors. Such simple yet outstandingly clever moments can make a movie stand out and in today’s market, you always want to have such trend worthy moments. Look at how the dancing scene at the stairs turned (2019’s) Joker into a billion dollar film.

3.The elevator semi-contortion. Ellie’s possession is a thing of bondage and bone breaking. The demon finds her in the elevator returning with laundry and then in horror fashion uses the lift wires and cables to twist and bend her midair into an artistically painful work of art. I’m not sure why, but this scene reminded me of (2000’s) Hollowman and Scarymovie 2.

c. Alyssa Sutherland.

Not related to Jack Bauer (Keith Sutherland), Alyssa Sutherland is a star born! For both Director Lee Cronin and actress Alyssa, this movie might be their launchpad to blockbuster budgets and hotcake casting respectively. I first watched Alyssa on the tv show Vikings and understandably she neither had much to do there nor stand out for me then. Evil Dead Rise might just make her the next horror leading lady or villain! She has an interesting face which she plays with during the demon possessed scenes and quite scary might I add. She carries the film and propels herself to the summit of the Evil Dead Rise’s excellence. Let’s wait and see if Hollywood has noticed.

THE NOT SO GOOD

Despite the exciting visuals per budget and neat screenplay, Evil Dead Rise has a problem.. wait. I can not think of a major issue with this movie worth writing about. It is not perfect, but it is mostly good for what it is.

CONCLUSION

I have not watched the original trilogy or the 2013 soft reboot but Evil Dead Rise is a four star Horror film for anyone looking for some good old scares. The film is well paced and fundamentally grounds itself in reality. Be prepared for some out of the seat jumps and face cover moments that will have you peeping through your fingers.

For those in Uganda, the best cinema to go to is CENTURY CINEMAX. Experience the latest in HD Surround Sound at all 3D Cinemas located at Acacia Mall kisementi, Metroplex Naalya & Arena mall Nsambya. For bookings and more information visit their website @centurycinema.co.ug

ABOUT ME:

I’m a God fearing Ugandan writer, film producer and artist working in the Ugandan media industry for over the last ten years now and am thankful for the experience, the people I’ve met and the modest living I’ve earned along the way. Thank you for reading this blog. You’re a unicorn. So continue being awesome and kindly share with a friend, leave a comment and subscribe to keep in the know of what I write weekly every Friday! See you next time. Stay Kind.

Find me @edrismatu on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, and Linkedin

SELECTIVE SERVICE: a poor restaurant experience.

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

We dine out looking for the ambiance, better cooking and of-course good service. The occasional escape from the homemade meals to (if you choose right) the fancy and expensive buffet at our favourite restaurants, cafés and kafundas (Hot Joints). It could be a lunch date, dinner or just a weekend out to sit at that cozy corner and read a book or write something creative.

The meal price tag on the menu comes with expectations. If I’m going to pay a steep price for a meal, I expect Good Food + Ambiance and most importantly SERVICE. The cheaper the meals the more lax I am about everything. I’m hungry and I just want to eat and move on.

THE PROBLEM

a.The Order or Leave policy

In Uganda, most uptown restaurant or cafe owners spend millions to create a cozy and comfortable environment for the guests. From cozy furniture to trendy stylistic interior decor meant to convince customers that the food is good here (often not). This is a strategy for recruiting new clients and hopefully retaining them, but on one condition, order for at least a drink or Leave.

This is common practice and a sort of ‘unsaid rule’ that most locals like myself are aware of. You can’t enter a restaurant and sit, work on your laptop or read a book for more than 30 minutes without having ordered something. The minimum requirement is a bottle of water or soda. Otherwise, one of the waiter/tress will approach you and with all intentions try to get you to order. Here are some of those polite reminders proffered to ‘idle’ customers.

  • As a standard, the server will bring to you a menu the moment you sit down. In other countries customers wait to be seated but it’s different here, you can walk in and find a seat of your liking. No fuss needed. So this is when the subtle but determined signals begin. If the waiter has brought a menu to you and you don’t order immediately, they will know that you are not a ‘usual’ frequent customer; those know what they eat. So the waiter will stand by as you peruse through the cardboard menu (printed and designed with internet food pictures), critically scanning your face or at other times nonchalant and bored (already tired of their job and want to yell at you to order so they can move on). If you seem lost for choice, they will make a few suggestions, usually Matooke and chicken or all food and meat. The top billers first. Not beans or vegetables soups. In other-words, make up your mind or let us help you do it.
  • If you are genuinely not ready and need more time to read through the menu, then naturally you will ask the waiter to give you some more time, ‘I will call for you when I’m ready’. The server will smile and walk away with one last profiling scan of you. Weighing your probable class and intention. If in more than 10 minutes, you have not ordered, then they will return, having made up their mind that you are either broke or one of those idle customers looking to hang out and take selfies then leave. (The judging can get real and tough) Next step is to offer you a drink as you read the menu. ‘Can I bring you water or Soda?’ they will ask. This is I think a boot camp training trick for Ugandan servers. A safe-guard alternative to have you order something incase you indeed just looking to sit without eating.
  • When the carrot fails, it’s sticks out! ‘My boss says you have to order or leave’ A waitress has said this to me once I and my best friend were taking a bit of time to order since what she wanted was not available that day. The servers will either get aggressive with you or make up scenarios of how their superiors will make them pay if a customer they are waiting on sits for longer than 30 minutes without ordering something off the menu. I am not sure if this is indeed true or not but there is surely smoke under that pot.

b. We serve based on race and status

I came to learn from my non-Ugandan acquaintances that they had been to the same restaurants and Cafés, sat for hours on their laptops and books without ordering a single bloody water or soda. Got done and left without spending a coin. This too is another unspoken custom understood by restaurant servers in Uganda. However, there are places that have no selective service.

Majority of Ugandans are polite and not quick to make a scene when there is poor service and I guess this why it is difficult for servers to approach non-Ugandans on the same issue or the fact that guests are given special treatment. But should it be like that? I don’t think so.

CONCLUSION

Restaurant owners defend the observance of the ‘Order or leave’ unwritten rule with the need for security against hooligans and business reasons. A very understandable explaining if this custom is applied to all customers, but it’s not. Otherwise it groups itself under the segregational mentality and prejudice against people of different backgrounds. Public spaces have to be welcoming to anyone, regardless of race, tribe or appearance. To restaurants that run this covert ugly behaviour, customers will quietly leave your business. Make the decent choice of welcoming every customer and if these are the rules for your establishment, then no one should be an exception.

ABOUT ME:

I’m a God fearing Ugandan writer, film producer and artist working in the Ugandan media industry for over the last ten years now and am thankful for the experience, the people I’ve met and the modest living I’ve earned along the way. Thank you for reading this blog. You’re a unicorn. So continue being awesome and kindly share with a friend, leave a comment and subscribe to keep in the know of what I write weekly every Friday! See you next time. Stay Kind.

Find me @edrismatu on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, and Linkedin

Eid Mubarak- عيد مبارك : AMAZING BENEFITS OF RAMADHAN!

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

Under the Islamic calendar, it’s the year 1444 and the month of Ramadhan is ending. A month of fasting, prayer, reflection, community and seeking for forgiveness from the Almighty for Moslems around the world. Regarded a Holy month, Ramadhan lasts from 29 to 30 days and it signifies the first revelation of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Fasting from dawn to sunset during this time is obligatory for most moslem adults and is the fourth Pillar of Islam. Now that the month has ended, as a moslem myself, I can only pray that Allah accepts my fasting and deeds as we celebrate this special month on this year’s Eid al-Adha (عيد الضحية ). Here are some notable benefits to have in mind for the next Ramadhan. إنشاء الله

AMAZING BENEFITS OF RAMADHAN!

a. Getting closer to Allah, the Almighty.

Throughout the year, many moslems struggle with their Iman due to different tests of the world. It can be the search for money, love, poverty or any hardship that diverts you from doing right and instead pursue that which Allah has ordered us to stay away from. We sin repeatedly until it’s a way of life or we often repent and walk about with heavy hearts of guilt. The more we transgress, the bigger the gap and distance we move away from the almighty and without his mercy we are lost.

Ramadhan presents an opportunity to reflect on our misdeeds and hopefully rectify our ways. Shyatan has been caged and the temptation and whisper to sin only comes from deep down our souls depending on how much it has been corrupted by prior sin, but we are protected from his persuasion. Therefore if you have missed the opportunity to change and return to good, don’t loose hope, start your journey to rediscover yourself and be under those that Allah will bless, for he is the most merciful and the most gracious. Come next Ramadhan, you will get closer to him, إنشاء الله.

b. Togetherness.

In today’s fast paced world, most families rarely see each other, working different jobs and returning in the wee hours, barely remembering the faces of your loved ones. We work to live but often so, we live to work. Entering into the dusk years of your life and realising that you might have missed out on the moments that matter the most.

During the Holy month of Ramadhan, we get a chance to converge home for Iftar, suhur or taraweh prayers at the mosque. By design, we meet more often and spend more time with family. It is a month that encourages more love, peace and the sensibility of community. Togetherness. After all, we live to share moments with each other.

c. Sadaq. (Philanthropy acts)

During COVID-19, the need for community support and Sadaq (charity) was globally accentuated as economies stood still and more than half of the world population needed help to survive. Despite wars, floods, earthquakes and drought, there are continued reasons to share what you have with the more needy. To offer a helping hand and support communities that have none.

During the month of Ramdhan, moslems are encouraged to increase on their Sadaq (charitable acts) in society and beyond in addition to the obligatory Zakat al Fitr. When we prostrate and ask from Allah, let’s not forget to give away some of what he has given. The smallest of charitable acts can change someone’s entire life. I pray that the almighty warms our hearts towards sadaq.

d. Multiplied Reward.

The bottom line of our life on earth is to worship Allah and hope we enter paradise. To find our deeds rewarded by the almighty and enough for us to be permitted into Jannah. During the Holy month of Ramadhan, your good deeds are multiplied by Allah. So do as much as you can to help a neighbour, family, friend and the needy. It doesn’t have to be something grand, do what you can afford to do and I pray that Allah accepts all of our good deeds.

e. The night of Lailatul Qadr.

Al-Qadr is the declaration that Allah is omniscient and omnipotent. The decider of your future, past and present. During the last ten days of of the Holy month, on one of the odd numbered days, you get a chance to ask Allah to bless you, forgive you and lead you onto a fulfilling right path.

CONCLUSION

I implore you to read further on the Holy month of Ramadhan and share the knowledge that Allah allows you to learn. It’s never too late to seek for forgiveness or change your path onto a righteous one. I pray that Allah guides us onto a path of those he is pleased with and not those that go astray.

ABOUT ME:

I’m a God fearing Ugandan writer, film producer and artist working in the Ugandan media industry for over the last ten years now and am thankful for the experience, the people I’ve met and the modest living I’ve earned along the way. Thank you for reading this blog. You’re a unicorn. So continue being awesome and kindly share with a friend, leave a comment to continue the conversation and subscribe to keep in the know of what I write weekly every Friday! See you next time.

Find me @edrismatu on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, and Linkedin

Dungeons and Dragons: a fun spectacle that stumbles on plot

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

‘Who needs Heroes when you have Thieves?’ – is a clever tagline to the movie reboot of the Dungeons and Dragons trilogy (previously released twenty three years ago); Dungeons and Dragons: Honour among thieves. In a movie industry saturated with superheroes and IP driven films, it’s apparent that D&D is Paramount studios’ counter-attack at box office glory whilst launching anew the D&D franchise in the post COVID-19 pandemic era. Question is, will D&D achieve the intended purpose or drown to the bottom of the box office flops? Actors Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis and Hugh Grant feature in a clip placed ahead of the movie screenings thanking the cinema audience for making the effort of coming to the the cinema and watch D&D ‘the way movies are meant to be seen’ rather than stream it from the comfort of their homes. So, is Dungeons and Dragons: Honour among thieves worth the trip to the multiplex? Let’s get into it.

THE GOOD

a. Show not tell

So many intended blockbusters do fault at using expositional monologues to tell us about the past. How characters got to where they are in life or what major plot catalyst occurred way back then to propel the story forward. Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein don’t fall prey to this avoidable trap but utilised one of the most significant rules of cinema – Show Don’t Tell!..and it works really well. From the first 5 minutes of the movie, when Edgin and Holga (Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez) face the council and eventually escape, it’s one fantastic visual flash back to another with no expense spared. (One could say the whole movie was a flashback through the eyes of Forge (Hugh Grant) as he too faces the council to plea for his freedom at the end of the movie) Refreshingly there’s no crucial piece of the story that is not shown to leave you wondering what that looked like or hhhmmm, I wish they showed us that instead of this, no sir! We see everything we need to see in this adventure flick and more, which leads me to the next good thing..

b. The Cinematic aesthetic

Production design ✅ CGI ✅ Cinematography ✅ Editing ✅

150 million dollar budget WELL SPENT.

D&D feels grand, epic and a true adventure movie in scale and scope. From incredible action sequences to dramatic quiet scenes flourished with cinematic enviroments, this movie feels and looks good. Many blockbuster movies leave you wondering where the money was spent but not here, you get the sense that the crew had something to prove, this was their baby and indeed they delivered. Maybe some awards along the way? We shall wait and see. So if you were wondering if this a movie for the big screen, yes it is. Wait to be dazzled with overhead moving shots, clever screensaver worthy closeups and lord of rings-like landscape drone frames to quick editing and a fairly good score. James Cameron might need 10 years to evolve cinema, the guys on D&D didn’t disappoint him one bit.

c. The Actor’s Ensemble

Team movies are not an easy thing to pull off, they can either crumble due to behind the scenes egos, imbalanced level of talent and screen time or they can click and make silver screen magic as recent memory serves with the Avengers movies serving a peak for the marvel franchise. The Dungeons and dragons cast leans on each other’s strengths for a bold, funny and acting balanced tale. Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez lead the team with charm and experience as the planner and muscle of the thieving group respectively while younger actors Justice smith, Sophia Lillis and Chloe Coleman lift their own weight while the villain duo of Hugh Grant and Daisy Head do play their parts as required. These are not Oscar performances but this is a popcorn adventure and a thrilling ride worth a watch.

THE NOT SO GOOD

d. The Plot or what it could have been

Putting the witty dialogue and all the other excellent stuff aside, D&D’s plot lacks something vital and that is – High Stakes. The sort of pressure point that drives Heroes into sacrifice and having to save the world. The emotional beats that move you as an audience to care and root for these characters. As an audience, we need to feel that our characters have to do whatever it takes to fight evil, save the girl or achieve whatever goal they set out on. It has to be important, personal and convincing, that if they fail, the consequences are directly dire to them or those they love. Sadly, D&D got bloated with too many stories to check, that writers Michael Gilio and the Jonathan directors failed to put us at the edge of our seats rather delivered a story that sacrificed stakes for casual playfulness and spectacle. Evidently producing a fun movie that has a weaker main plot.

Chris Pine’s character ‘Edgin Darvis’ is a member of the Harpers (an order of peacekeepers) who turns to theft after the death of his wife. He then hesitantly raids a harper stronghold with his team including conman Forge and a Red Wizard, Sofina who is in search of a mystical horn, but Edgin is after the ‘Tablet of reawakening’ a magical relic he could use to resurrect his wife. The group is bursted by the Harpers and Edgin and Holga end up captured while the rest of the accomplices escape. After two years, Edgin and Holga creatively attain freedom from imprisonment and return to find that Forge has turned Kira against her father and Edgin sets off on a journey to repair his father-daughter relationship with Kira and maybe save her from Forge? Simple right?

d (1) Weak motivations

Naturally in such stories, we are accustomed to the protagonist of our story wanting something and the villain standing in their way of getting it. This old tradition of story telling is tested and proven to deliver results. So, who is our protagonist and who is our villain?

PROTAGONIST: Edgin Darvis

GOAL: To repair his relationship with daughter Kira by robbing the Tablet of reawakening from Forge and resurrect his wife?

VILLAIN: Forge stands in Edgin’s way by lying to Kira that Edgin left her for treasure.

The thing is, Kira is never really Forge’s prisoner or in danger at any given moment, she’s just a teenage girl mad at her Dad and confused about the truth on why Edgin was captured. Nevertheless, Forge’s motivation to lie to Kira and keep her away from Edgin is far-fetched and off character. Forge really doesn’t need to keep Kira, she serves him no purpose as a conman. There is no benefit in this endeavour apart from trying to give Edgin something to do. Edgin goes through so much to get back the tablet as his way to prove his innocence to Kira that indeed he was captured trying to resurrect her mother, but in the end Kira doesn’t need the tablet to forgive her father. The macguffin ends up not serving it’s purpose and falls flat even when it’s used to bring Holga back. The emotional beat intended feels cliche and not in a convincing way.

d (2) Disconnected plots

VILLAIN 2 : The Red Wizard

GOAL: To use the curse that destroyed the Thay and turn the people of Neverwinter into the undead army. (To what end? I’m not sure)

Now this is a villain with high stakes, but ultimately her plans have nothing or little to do with Edgin and his team. To the extent that when the theives take Forge’s boat away from him after rescuing Kira, it’s done for Edgin. He has everything he set out to get and the movie could as well have ended with them sailing off into the sunset. Oh wait, we forgot about the a Red wizard after world domination, let’s go back and have a third act action sequence. The disconnect is jarring and an Achilles’ heel to a rather well made movie.

At the end, D&D felt like two movies lumped together. One, about Edgin saving his daughter from Forge and another led by Xenk Yander (Regé-jean Page) with Doric saving Neverwinter from the Red wizard.

CONCLUSION

Dungeons and dragons : Honour among Thieves, is a fun ride with spectacle and dazzle, witty dialogue and a good looking ensemble cast but falls short on threading the story into a 1billion picture. The Jonathan Directors make a case for a franchise launch and your ticket but I will wait to see if this reboot has legs to green light a sequel. Until then..

ABOUT ME:

I have been working in the media industry for over ten years now and am thankful for the experience, the people I’ve met and the modest living I’ve earned along the way. Thank you for reading this blog. You’re a unicorn. So continue being awesome and kindly share with a friend, leave a comment to continue the conversation and let’s get talking. See you next time.

Find me @edrismatu on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, and Linkedin

A NEW HIGH-END CINEMA HALL OPENS.

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

Did you ever watch movies from the popular ‘Bibadda’ Cinema Halls? With famous video jokers like Vj Jjingo commentating over the full movie with witty phrases and overly dramatic expressions. As a kid, I would sit outside the Kibadda and listen to the whole movie when I couldn’t afford the ticket, but oh my, when I retold it to my mates, they couldn’t tell that I hadn’t seen a single frame of ‘Revenge of the Pumpkin-head’. (I would find out later the actual title of this movie)

Anyone who loves movies must appreciate the cinematic and grand escapism the medium provides. Epic action sequences, dramatic emotional moments, and the Marvel/DC superhero fantasy euphoria: movies are the ultimate entertainment source, only second to music. If it’s a blockbuster film, there’s only one way to see it – not on a laptop or phone while in a taxi en route home, but on the big cinema screen, 3D or otherwise.

In Kampala, there is only one Cinema Franchise offering that experience – CENTURY CINEMAX UGANDA, with branches at Acacia Mall Kisementi, Metroplex Naalya, and now a brand new High-end and exclusive cinema hall at ARENA MALL, Nsambya.

WHAT IS ON OFFER?

Located at the contemporary Arena Mall in Nsambya, the newly opened Century Cinemax Hall is a promise for a better quality picture, sound, and the comfort you would get at home watching your favorite movie with friends and family.

The Max Screen at The Arena Mall.

The Screens: Standard, Max, and Gold.

The Standard Screen seats a 101 audience, while the MAX screen has a capacity of 221 with 22 recliner chairs that have the comfort of a truly first-class experience. For a more exclusive bargain, the GOLD is a true VIP offering with only 44 seats and a coming soon waiting-lounge fit for that premium ticket.

All three halls have Grey projector screens that offer a high contrast picture and laser beam projectors, HD surround sound, and 2D/3D options with an eatery area with popcorn and all drinks on the menu. Ticket prices for all the screens range from 10,000 – 25,000ugx and a private show exclusive offer at 2 million UGX.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

If you can’t get to Accacia or Metroplex and are looking for that special and exclusive movie experience, go check out the brand new century Cinemax at Arena mall.

For more information visit the century Cinemax social media platforms or website.

ABOUT ME:

I have been working in the media industry for over ten years now and am thankful for the experience, met people, and earned a little living along the way. Thank you for reading this blog and now kindly share with a friend and leave a comment, to continue the conversation. See you next time.

Find me @edrismatu on Twitter, Instagram,YouTube, and Linkedin

UGANDAN NEWS MEDIA: it’s time for ‘JOINT LIVE BROADCASTS’.

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

Every year, there’s a lineup of mandatory special LIVE BROADCASTS that Ugandan-based television houses are required to cover and air under the broadcasting policy or due to commercial demand. These range from National/Global Holiday events, Presidential Addresses, and corporate gatherings to government calendar proceedings. In the early 2000s, Uganda was dominated by not more than five TV stations, a far cry from today’s ever-expanding digital era of an easy to set-up media house frenzy.

THE PROBLEM:

With over 100 TV stations today (some really questionable), there’s a fierce and brutal competitive atmosphere for viewership, bragging rights, and most importantly advertisers’ money. What station is showing the trending event? Who has the most credible access to the hottest news and influential politicians: especially Presidential and parliament events plus the five-year term cycle of general and presidential elections. It’s a dogfight for numbers.

With this primal hunger to stay on top, most TV stations, newspapers, and Radio stations will crowd all high-security and exclusive government events with reporters and film crews and this equals = CONGESTION + HIGH-SECURITY RED TAPE + REDUNDANCY.

Two cameramen on a less congested scaffolding at Namugongo Shrine -2022

Often so, CONGESTED on a small platform, you will find over 20 camera operators struggling to capture a similar shot of a dignitary speaking at the podium. By design a bunch of them will either get a profile shot of the President or blurry shadows crossing from side to side and any camera man knows: framing kills or makes a shot. It’s that important in broadcasting and on a human resource level, this way of working can cripple creativity and morale. Nevertheless, a skeptical mind might think, ‘It’s a competition. Whoever gets a better shot wins viewership. Let them fight’. Well I think that is a ‘not-beyond-your-nose’ way of thinking for unpaid-for special Live broadcasts. This elbow to elbow formula might work for impromptu interviews and press conferences but a 5-7 hour live Liberation day celebrations event at Kololo ceremonial grounds, it’s not ideal. It’s more intense and demanding on a non-rotational crew.

The 3rd June Martyr’s day celebration is an example of how limited space and resources can be. Thousands of Christians and believers trek from around the world and camp for days at the main Catholic Namugongo Shrine, Nakiyanja, Kigungu and Munyonyo churches and It’s safe to say that most TV station production crews have to spread their resources thin in order to pull off that day. Splitting crews to different locations to handle the multi-camera-location live broadcast (For denomination inclusivity purposes) to hunting for SNG/OB VAN set-up space in a parked convoy of broadcaster machinery and discomforting pilgrims. It can truly be a hustle, that day.

At Namugongo Shrine-3rd June 2019. Brian,Edris&Henry.

Additionally, the HIGH-SECURITY RED TAPE is a necessary evil but continually frustrates the on-location filming crew even further. In this COVID-era, crew members have to get accreditation from government security bodies, a COVID test, and a thorough body and equipment search before entry (this can last for hours),and by the time a crew starts the LIVE broadcast, it’s been a mentally strenuous process. Security becomes a harder job as numbers grow and at times tempers fly even egos bruised when lists are reduced and names deducted.

Inevitably this environment creates REDUNDANCY on location, be it in waiting for hours or duplicating each other’s work – there is no financial or human resource efficiency. It’s a misguided oversight that media houses keep forwarding lists of hundreds of reporters and crew members for accreditation to secure an expected invite to these events.

..but the thing is, all the major media groups like NMG, VISION GROUP, NEXT MEDIA, and UBC have a bottom-line goal and that’s to ‘MAKE MONEY WITH LESS EXPENSE’. Government and national Holiday special LIVE BROADCASTS are not paid for! It’s a necessary investment to retain viewership, bragging rights, and credibility. Compared to the resources each of these TV stations has, it’s becoming more and more expensive to cover multiple non-direct commercial LIVE broadcasts without compromising product quality and output.

THE SOLUTION:

Rotational JOINT LIVE BROADCASTS, a scenario where the major players share resources to produce the calendar-major events or each station takes up one or two and shares a clean feed to the other partners. This can save time, and resources and in the process promote productive synergies for the media industry at large. Currently, this is done in an ‘unofficially-let me do you-a-favor kinda way’ but it needs to take center stage and become a norm amongst competing TV stations. UBC is Switzerland in this media network. (a wink to you)

With a single ‘joint Live broadcast crew’ mobilized by the ‘big boys’, the quality and efficiency in picture and execution will be improved immensely. Each station can put forward its strongest resource and a skill share work environment is never a bad one. A committee of sorts can be agreed upon to always organize and check any bad apples but going forward, egos need to be placed in the back room and left there.

Security would not have to deal with large numbers, on the other hand, less congestion can improve operations while killing redundancy in the process. This has more advantages than cons. A standardised and uniform broadcast would be in the organisers’ best interest.

THE CHALLENGE:

Getting these chess players to agree on a collaboration might sound possible but usually, two bulls never stay in one kraal. I hope for the best.

About me:

I have been working in the media industry for over ten years now and thankful to have the experience, met people and earned a little living along the way. Thank you for reading this blog and now kindly share with a friend and leave a comment, to continue the conversation. See you next time.

A COVID-19 NEW NORMAL

Posted on by Edris Matu Segawa

4.6+ million CASES. 312K+ DEATHS! The world is at a stand still after the COVID-19 corona virus out break. If international predictions are to be perceived as true: then a second wave of infections is imminent by September 2020.

German, South Korea and Brazil are some of the international markets already opening up with world giants, UK & US planning the same by June this year. This move, is by many seen as a knee-jerk move propelled by increasing pressure from business owners who have been making mammoth losses since March!

So how did we get here? A time of Ghost towns and quiet Bars.

Jinja Road, Kampala

Back in December 2019, whispers of a flu like disease in Wuhan,China circulated on media platforms. Little did the world know that 6 months later, this would turn into a global pandemic. By March 2020, governments had sanctioned lock-down protocols and reports of corona virus victims were constantly on the uphill climb!

Health workers were overwhelmed and businesses closed; The world economy started struggling and soon enough the IMF (International Monetary Fund) announced back in April that a recession was on their hands.

Here in Uganda, only essential businesses are allowed to open during the gradually increasing ‘quarantine’. The operating sectors are; health facilities, media, security, food stores, selected government bodies,⛽️ stations, telecom companies and recently garages!⚙️ Public transport was banned and limited to those with a sticker or Bodabodas and bike riders, pedestrians and otherwise pregnant women.

At first, the lock-down was to last 2 weeks, then 21 days and predictably another 3 weeks might be announced on the now prime time TV special : the Presidential address or as some prefer calling it, ‘keeping Up with Sevo 📺 With June on it’s way and still not allowed to work, one wonders if the COVID-19 quarantine is the new normal?

With no income and constant expenditure, the lock-down in Uganda 🇺🇬 has affected many low income earners to the point that people living in slams like Kasokoso, Bwaise and so many other places around the country; are going hungry due to lack of food!🍲 Solution? Donation after donation of sacks of rice, beans (claimed to be rotten in some areas) , cash and other relief products have come from top corporate companies, Tribe Kings, celebrities and IMF itself (400million USD) to aid those in in need. So how long can this keep up? What is the government’s strategy or yours? …to start with?

Without a cure in near sight and biologists insisting a viable vaccine is due in 8 -11 months, what can a low income earner or middle class employee do?

ADAPT. Increasingly every individual and family has had to reassess their financial position and refocus expenditure to the current environment. If you had a job last month, you might not have one by August. Companies and businesses have had to either exercise pay cuts or cancel contracts. To those working in Taxis and other halted businesses. It’s been already a tough time. The future is uncertain, therefore you have to…

INNOVATE. Stop waiting for the lock-down to lift and reignite that fire of creativity to think of how else you are going to pay that rent, food, water and all the necessities that you have been used to before. An accountant friend of mine is already making face masks for sale. Life as we know it might never go back to ‘normal’.

Local 😷 made in Uganda 🇺🇬

PRAY. No matter what happens, GOD is always in your corner. So pray for guidance, ease and health. Surviving this pandemic will not only require your wit, courage and perseverance, it will require the almighty.

When you are pushed to the wall, you either give up and be crushed or find a way to push back. All this is not as simple to do as I might write it but with support from GOD, family and friends. You might simply fit into the NEW COVID-19 NORMAL.