Traveling the streets of Kampala one does not only face a chaotic and dangerous traffic environment but also struggles to go through endless queues, pollution, motorcyclists and cars attacking you from every angle which is a energy-consuming dilemma. The urban planner Amanda Ngabirano's biggest dream is to have a cycling lane in her city. An impossible task, according to most people, but not according to Amanda.

Interview with Director/Writer/Producer Emilia Stålhammar

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you so much! We realised that there was lacking inspirational films about East Africa and therefore a lack of representation of women in media. We felt an urge to create one ourselves!

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Our characters serve as role models and we hope they inspire others to reflect on the good things that the world has to offer. Our leading character, Amanda Ngabirano, wants to change the way people move, make it more inclusive and accessible for everyone despite gender, age or economic background. We believe that it’s more powerful pointing out the positive change people are striving for rather than pointing out how hopeless the situation is.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film addresses universal themes such as environmental issues, gender equality, empowerment of women and the role women can play in the socio-economic development. We can see the grassroots of a cycling revolution spreading throughout the whole world and we hope it will become a domino effect. It initiates a conversation about cycling and how we can move forward with the imminent environmental threat we’re facing.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Well, if you’re going to make a documentary there needs to be room for change if something unpredictable were to happen. We were constantly re-writing the script during the process but at the end it’s a matter of the “magic” that happens in the editing room! Our biggest problem in Kampala was actually to find a quiet place to do interviews – which is nearly impossible! In our research in Kampala we wanted to gather the public opinion on cycling and found that the general opinion was that the bicycle had a poverty stamp and that the girls and women were not encouraged to cycle – and that’s the core of the red thread throughout the film.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the audience emotionally engaged with the short story and the characters. We’re overwhelmed that the film’s been screened at both film festivals and in educational purposes such as schools and the UN. We have now reached 100 screenings and that’s more than we could ever imagined!

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The issues that are brought up in the film are relatable for so many others around the globe which took us by surprise.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We’d love for more people to read about the film and to follow-up our characters’ journey.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

The relationship with festival directors has been incredible so far but it would be fantastic to start a collaboration with buyers and distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

The more exposure CYCOLOGIC gets the more it can influence leaders to take action towards building in a more sustainable way and make it more inclusive and safe for everyone despite gender, age and economic background.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How can this story of female riders be part of ending the social stigma saying they’re not able or allowed to use the bicycle as a mode of transportation?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

The three of us are working on different projects involving filmmaking in Malmö, LA and Berlin – we are spread out in the world at the moment.

Interview: October 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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CYCOLOGIC

Length: 15:00

Director: Emilia Stålhammar, Veronica Pålsson, Elsa Löwdin

Producer: Emilia Stålhammar, Veronica Pålsson, Elsa Löwdin

Writer: Emilia Stålhammar, Veronica Pålsson, Elsa Löwdin

Key cast: Amanda Ngabirano (playing herself) & Marion Ayebale (playing herself)

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): producers, buyers, distributors and journalists

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cycologicdocumentary/

Other: (Articles)

http://blogs.worldbank.org/publicsphere/cycologic-power-women-power-bicycles-uganda?page=1

https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/cycologic-film-about-changing-world-one-bicycle-time

http://www.cyclingfilms.de/en/2016/10/23/eilmeldung-goldene-kurbel-geht-nach-schweden/

http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1431631/amanda-ngabirano-ugandan-inspired-swedish-filmmakers

https://twitter.com/UN/status/790107996261117952

Where will the film screen in the next month?

Environmental Film Festival Australia - Melbourne, Australia
Imagine This Women's Film Festival - Brooklyn, USA
Iran International Green Film Festival - Tehran, Iran
New Urbanism Film Festival - Los Angeles, USA
G2 Green Earth Film Festival - Los Angeles, USA

Eko International Film Festival - Lagos, Nigeria

Green Screen Environmental Film Festival – Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Leeds International Film Festival - Leeds, UK

Tuzla Film Festival - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Greenmotions Film Festival, Freiburg, Germany