Pan African Film Festival - Kyenvu
A young African Millennial finds love in a bittersweet moment as she struggles to find her footing in a patriarchal society which is the source of the taunts she must endure using public transport on a daily basis.
Interview with Writer/Director Kemiyondo Coutinho
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
a number of reasons.
1) I was tired of other people telling our own stories. I was also tired of complaining about it so I decided to do something about it
2) In 2014 Uganda passed a law banning miniskirts titled "miniskirt law"; what this does is empower men to take the law into their own hands inciting sexual harassment. Men don't need an excuse to harass women and this law felt like an endorsement.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think it is important to see African issues presented in their complexity. Uganda is not one thing. It is not just the miniskirt bill, and I feel that when films usually present our issues they tend to hyperfocus on the "thing" they are presenting. I wanted to showcase the beauty of Uganda, the colours, the humor and a three dimensional story that we never see. Watching this film will give you insight to when a story is not told this way.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Whilst Kyenvu is specifically set in Uganda it is a universal story, we are seeing this in the states. Laws being proposed and passed as a bigger agenda yet they have very real life altering effects on people. It is important we understand who these laws affect.
I also explore identity! It is a huge theme in this film, i explore my own vulnerability with feeling Ugandan but other people not seeing me that way. Identity is a constant negotiation I make in my daily life and whilst it feels singular we are all constantly fighting and reuniting with our identity.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script stayed the same. I think it helped that I wrote and directed it so I was very protective over the script. That said, in the taxi scene, I used a lot of improv. On the last few takes I told the actors to say whatever they wanted to say because I don't understand luganda. This was the takes we used. It was dynamic and alive and cut to the heart of the issues I was tackling.
The film just included more and more key players. I wanted the film to be a business card for Ugandan film. So when I needed a soundtrack I looked no further than Ugandan artists. I wanted this film to showcase our talents in every possible way imaginable.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Mostly how taken aback people are that it was fully shot in Uganda with a full Ugandan crew and that I am a first time film maker.
Someone mentioned to me that they were surprised it was so funny especially with the topic at hand. My response is life is never just one thing. We don't wake up one day and know it is a tragic day. Life is layered and scripts should allow for that without feeling like they have to choose a genre and stick to it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I think the feedback has surprised me because when you work on a film it starts to become mechanical. Especially in post. You are focused on the shot. How the sound is mixed. How it looks. You stop hearing the words and stop seeing the full picture. So to have someone come up to you and cry and speak of their own experiences is a reminder why you wrote it. That moment takes you back to when you sat in front of your laptop and knew you were writing it for that person.
The feedback has just made me want to create more and tell more and share more.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
As always, you want your baby to be seen by as many people as possible. It's a story that needs to be told and to have it on as many screens as possible is always the goal. I hope we get invited to more festivals and figure out how we can distribute it thereafter.
I also hope the story or the process of creating this story inspires another storyteller to tell their own story in their own way.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All the above!!!
I am very new to all of this and learning on the job. It has been a great lesson in taking it one step at a time. I concentrated on filming when I filmed. I figured out post when I did post. Now i am figuring out all the festivals and distribution dance numbers. The more journalists that write about it the more festivals get intrigued and the more festivals that get intrigued the more distributors/sales agent have an interest, the more distributors that have an interest the more eyes that will be able to see this film. So I guess it's journalists first then! More journalists!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope we start to have an honest conversation about sexual harrasment and all the key players involved in it. What does it mean to be an ally? Beyond hashtags and consoling messages. Who do laws in our society affect and how do we get lawmakers to truly understand their impact.
I never hope to tell an audience what to think with any of my work, be it film or theater, I simply aim to reflect society back at you. If you like what you see good and well, if you don't well then you need to change something fast!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Is Kyenvu suggesting miniskirts are to blame for sexual harassment?
Would you like to add anything else?
I didn't know anyone in the film industry in Uganda except for Isaac Oboth. He introduced me to everyone who worked on my film. I went up to them and asked them to be a part of this project. They all said yes. We often get caught up on what we don't have without having asked. Dare to ask; most people say yes!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Jajja productions have another feature that is doing the festival circuit- N.G.O Nothing Going On and they are developing a TV series for Uganda
Addmaya is ALWAYS working on content and works with major brands in Uganda for their advertising
QuadA is a leading music production company that has ventured into scoring film
Kemistry Klass (that's me!)- Is developing a new short about immigration in America, it's a comedy!
Interview: February 2018
_______________________________________________________________________________
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. 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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Kyenvu
A young African Millennial finds love in a bittersweet moment as she struggles to find her footing in a patriarchal society which is the source of the taunts she must endure using public transport on a daily basis.
Length: 20 mins
Director: Kemiyondo Coutinho
Producer: Heddwyn Kyambadde, Gladys Oyenbot
Writer: Kemiyondo Coutinho
About the writer, director and producer:
Kemiyondo Coutinho has been writing and acting for the African woman since age 17. She is the founder of Kemistry Klass, a content company geared at producing content for film and TV content that changes the narrative of stories about The Continent. Kemiyondo was featured on CNN for her work in the arts in the segment African Voices.Kemiyondo , currently based in Los Angeles, is now the recipient of the prestigious E11 Green Card awarded to individuals of extraordinary ability who demonstrate that they are at the top of their field in their home country. Kyenvu marks her debut as a Film Director. Frustrated with the lack of female directors in the industry she decided to take on the role to inspire other female filmmakers to do the same.
Key cast: Kemiyondo Coutinho, Michael Wawuyo Jr.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All the above!
Social media handles: @kyenvu, @kemi_stry
Facebook: Kyenvuthemovie
Instagram: @kyenvu
Funders: Dianne Hoge, Patrick Thompson, Carla & David Reimer
Made in association with: Jajja Productions, Addmaya, Quad A & Kemistry Klass
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Pan African Film Festival and to be updated on upcoming festivals.