Directors: Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp
Featuring: Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi
Genre: Documentary
Country: Uganda, United Kingdon and the United States.
Language: English
Run time: 1 hour 58 minutes
When your passion and purpose in life meet
Directors Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp extraordinary documentary film “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” tells the story of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known professionally as super star musician Bobi Wine and his wife Barbara “Barbie” Itungo Kyagulanyi, an accomplished author and human rights activist.
The films spans a five-year period as he performs around the world and enters the world of politics and eventually becoming the leader of the biggest political opposition organization in Uganda, the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the People Power Movement and mounts a formidable challenge against Ugandan President Museveni. Providing a portrait of the impact one individual can make and how important it is for a country’s citizens to stand together in solidarity against oppression.
While watching Bobi Wine, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the 1960s in the United States and the challenges faced by African Americans and the civil rights movement and how Bobi utilizing the non-violent principles of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. in his fight for freedom from government oppression. Of course, the major difference is it now 2020s and Bobi was running for president against Uganda’s current dictator.
Bobi Wine: The People’s President is an excellent film that uses the beautiful words and sounds of music to tell a brutal and harrowing story of torture, death, and perseverance, all in the pursuit of the human desire to be and live free.
One of the many fascinating things that stood out when watching this film is how Bobi, his fans and supporters stayed united even in the face of the government of Uganda trying its best to turn people against Bobi and his wife. Only making the bond stronger.
Director of Photography, Moses Bwayo excellent work captures the graphic scenes of the beautiful and vibrant colors of Ugandan life, the wonderful music, and the struggles of a people trying to overcome the hardship and poverty that goes along with a dictator government. He brings you into story and makes you feel like you are right there, up close in the car, on the car, in the crowds, with the crowds, in the mist of the struggles, seeing it all.
Paul Carlin’ editing brings it to life as the story flows effortlessly from one scene to the next. Connecting the five-years of footage into a compelling narrative.
As Bobi said, "we must get our freedom or die trying.
The film shows the truth of his words and convictions as he and Barbi risk it all. Risking it all, not just themselves but also for their fellow citizens of Uganda. All in the pursuit of the basic human right of living free. Free from oppression, freedom to pick ones' elected representatives.
Filmed in Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States while Bobi and Barbie worked, performed and campaigned for president, the film gives a up-close look at the struggles of today’s Ugandans. Struggles that should be a thing of the past.
Music is a universal language and the soundtrack does a great job in helping to tell the tale and making it so much easier to take in the horrors that are experienced by the people of Uganda, Bobi and Barbie.
Bobi Wine: The People’s President is an exceptional film that shares how Bobi’s passion for music and his determination for he , his wife, family and his fellow citizens of Uganda to live free, come together creating a formidable husband and wife who fight the oppression and brutality of Ugandan President Museveni. A must-see film.
VIEW TRAILER BELOW
Streaming Release Date: October 6, 2023
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Producer: Christopher Sharp and John Battsek
Directors: Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp
Cinematography: Sam Benstead, Moses Bwayo, Michele Sibiloni
Editor: Paul Carlin
Composer: Music Editor & Additional Orchestration: Simon Birch
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
Music: Dan Jones
Co-Producer: Megan Hollinghurst
Executive Producers: Humble Lukanga, Sol Guy, Alastair Siddons