The cast of Fate on location

Story by Steven Tendo
Published July 31, 2006

Fate, a new low budget Ugandan film, was launched in Kampala on July 30, 2006. It is in many ways a pioneer as it sets itself up to be a benchmark and watchers will be eagerly waiting to see what will happen in the not-so-distant future, Steven Tendo reports from Kampala

The drama follows the story of Kate, a successful city woman, fresh from university and loaded with money, who seems to be out of options about what to do with her wealth. She lives in a society that dictates how women should live and even with her accomplishments, she still falls to their whims about what is expected.

Kate succumbs to the social pressure to marry and become Mrs Somebody. Her next move is to get herself a man (Ken) and get the whole situation behind her. She puts her money in the ceremony and goes against the norm in her culture; she funds her introduction ceremony and her wedding and tries to settle down into a life of ‘happily- ever-after.’

But the twist is that she has been too hasty. She has got an abusive husband, the total opposite of what she had dreamed of. Her husband is a thief who would go through her purse for change and hit her if she said she didn’t have any on her. Even when they have a son, he continues to abuse his family, brutalising his son and wife. On top of that, he is a terrible cheat. Eventually, he brings HIV/AIDS into the home. The story is a representation of what goes on in Uganda. There are many such stories in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, where desperate women marry men due to lack of options.

Cindy Magara

The director, new kid on the block, Cindy Magara says she is not taking her material from any remote location. She is not even parodying an actual case. She has grown up with such stories around her, as has many an African child.

Justine Nantongo, who plays Kate, is convincing in parts but she does not always come off fine probably because there are a number of actors and actresses that are not up to the challenge. Nantongo, a graduate of film school, is probably the best choice the director came across. She is good in her scenes with Allie Mutaka, also a professional actor with some experience. Mutaka shines through his act, portraying a vicious hearted villain, Ken.

The dampener is Arnold Kizito, the 10-year-old who plays Kate’s son. While watching him, one gets the impression that he is being prompted off-screen all the time. He fails to get our sympathy when he cries or when he tries to sound like a traumatised child. He is not the only one who seems to drag the action down, though. There are a number of actors who ‘over’ act and water down the story.

There is also a problem with recalling the lines and when the actor in question gets in such a situation, he of she usually fidgets with words as improvisation were a cardinal sin.

The film was shot in Hotel Africana, Entebbe, Rubaga, Kisaasi and Kamwokya, all within or around Kampala. These locations were well chosen because they keep with the theme. Where we are supposed to see opulence, we are taken to posh neighborhoods like Entebbe, to portray the wealth of Kate.

The musical score was written by Entebbe composer, David Nsaiga, who had a beginning in church music. This influence is evident and sometimes overlaps the story. There are spells of eerie piano to portray a melancholic mood and sometimes, one gets the impression that the director should have cut it earlier. Recent films like Feelings Struggle, had a confusing choice of highlight music and the audience found themselves ignoring the score altogether.

Fate is different from what Uganda has had before because the director—though trained in literature in English—claims to be a professional as opposed to the other pretenders to the title who have produced films. This is not altogether true because Kwezi Ruhinda, Winnie Gamisha, Caroline Kamya, Jack Nyeko and Haj Ashraf Simwogerere have all taken courses in film in addition to their experience. But this film is probably one of the first few that have taken pains to stick to the rule books in as far as cinematography and location are concerned.

Justine Nantongo

At two hours, Fate is a little too long. The point is made early on and since there are no sudden twists in the plot, nothing justifies its length. It is a film that is perhaps over- hyped. There is nothing new Magara is bringing to the scene apart from the expertise she says she has gained from her school projects, expertise that has been gained by people who have been there before her. That she and her friends came up with this project is commendable given that Ugandans need encouragement to start on things like this. It is a beautifully shot film and the various angles from which it is done show a thoughtful director’s hand in this. However, if another film is to be made, the weaknesses of this one, like the sloppy acting from actors who could have been left out altogether, should be addressed.

Meanwhile, writes Ogova Ondego, South Africa is set to host its inaugural South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA Awards) on October 27 and 28, 2006 at the Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg.

The SAFTA Awards are part of an industry initiative to establish the South African Film and Television Academy (SAFTA) that will function as the governing structure and the custodian of the South African Film and Television Academy Awards.

Eddie Mbalo, r, networking on phone

Speaking on behalf of the SAFTA Executive Committee, chairman Mbalo congratulated and thanked local broadcasters, filmmakers, producers, students and stakeholders in the South African film and television industry who have submitted more than 500 entries including feature films, short films, documentaries, television dramas, sitcoms and Soapies. Others are magazine, news and actuality, wildlife, children, variety and reality programmes.

"SAFTA will endeavour to honour, celebrate and promote the talent and accomplishments of the South African film industry with all the integrity and credibility possible" Mbalo, who also heads the National Film and Video Foundation, NFVF, says.

South African films having won several awards around the world—the Golden Bear, The Stallion of Yennenga—the time has come for Azania to celebrate and give recognition to its own talent on home ground, says SAFTA Executive Producer Lebone Maema, who has been charged with the responsibly of putting together the team that will organise the inaugural edition of SAFTA.

"We will rope in the best expertise available to make this a most memorable launch ceremony and ensure that the SAFTA Awards become one of the most prestigious cultural events in the country."

The winners will be presented with the Golden Horn, the official SAFTA Trophy at the red carpet gala ceremonies that will host the crème of South African talent, leading personalities in the local film, television and music industry, key government, private sector and media VIP'S on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October 2006.

The main awards ceremony will be televised live on SABC 2 on October 28. Although most of the awards will be judged by panels made up of industry peers, local audiences will vote for their favourite Soapie via a phone-in and SMS competition.

Lebone Maema, who successfully coordinated the African Film Summit that brought together players in the audiovisual sector in Africa, African Diaspora and the world to chart the way forward for African Cinema in April, 2006. The event was held in Pretoria, South Africa

"As we celebrate in 2006 our film and television industry's progress and success, it is important to highlight that we are really celebrating over a hundred years since 1896 the first film was shot and screened publicly in the country, we are celebrating thirty years since 1976 when our country had its first public television broadcast" says SABC's Group Executive of Content Enterprises Mvuzo Mbebe. "The SABC is proud to be part of this initiative and has committed to a three broadcast partnership with SAFTA. We have a responsibility to while celebrating talent and creativity also encourage quality, excellence and the development of new talent in the South African film and television industry"

The SAFTA Executive committee comprises Kamscilla Naidoo and John Cronwright of the South African Broadcasting Corporation(SABC), Ferdi Gazendam (Ster Kinekor), Debbie McCrum (Nu Metro), Bongiwe Selane (Mnet), Raymond Theart (PMA), Joel Phiri and Desiree Markgraaff of the Independent Producers Organisation (IPO), and Jackie Motsepe (NFVF).

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