FOLLOWING THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, Rwandan cinema is has been growing at a steady pace. Some of the series and movies have been prized at an international level while others are taking over locally.
The New Times looks at some of the most likable series in Rwanda.
City Maid
Rwanda’s City Maid is a Kinyarwanda series which has caught a big audience in the country from the young ones to senior citizens. It is produced by one of the top producers in the country including Wilson Misago. City Maid was named among Africa’s 10 films and TV series breaking the boundaries as per the survey conducted by the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF). It airs every Thursday at 9:00 PM and Saturday at 12:30 PM on Rwanda Television. It brings together some of Rwanda’s top actors and actresses like Emmanuel Ndayizeye (Nick) and Nadege Uwamwezi (Nana). It can also be streamed on zacutv.com.
Seburikoko
Seburikoko is a Rwandan Comedy TV Series created by Misago Nelly Wilson who produces it through, Afrifame ltd. The 15-minutes episode series airs on Rwanda Television (RTV) every Monday and Thursday at 6:45 PM. It recounts a story of a man called Seburikoko who calls himself Sebu because he believes he is the richest man in the neighbourhood, but does nothing to support his family. It stars an ensemble cast comprised by a Rwandan celebrated comedian Gratien Niyitegeka as a title character Seburikoko, Antoinette Uwamahoro as his wife Siperansiya, Erneste Kalisa, Leo Ngabo, Mediatrice Muhutukazi (known for her role in Rwandan radio soap opera Urunana as Kankwanzi), among many others. During the fifth edition of Rwanda Movie Awards, the TV series earned eight nominations including Best TV Series, Best Director, Best Leading Actor and Actress and went on to win four for Best TV Series, Best Director, Best Cinematographer and Best Sound Engineer.
Bamenya series
Bamenya is the leading Rwandan series on YouTube with the highest number of viewers growing day per day. Produced in Kinyarwanda and directed by Ramadhan Benimana popularly known as Bamenya, the series has attracted attention of many movie and comedy lovers in the country from its production to the actors. More than 3,000,000 people watch the series on YouTube.
Umuturanyi
Umuturanyi series is entertaining in the sense that it showcases the different norms and Kinyarwanda accents, from different parts of Rwanda. It became popular, thanks to some of the actors like Charles Nkurikiyinka (Umukonyine) who acts as a cattle owner from the eastern part of the country alongside an actress named Sandrine Uwimpundu, best known as Rufonsine, who plays the role of a villager from the northern part of Rwanda with broken Kinyarwanda. It is directed by local comedian, Emmanuel Mugisha.
Ejo si Kera
"Ejo Si Kera” is a story about the lives of many people in different families, with a focus on 20-year-old Solange Neza, who is trying to forget her tragic history, while helping her biological mother with a 'mental turmoil’.
The show airs on Rwanda Television every Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 PM and 10:00 AM respectively, and on TV1 every Saturday and Tuesday at 7:30PM and 6:05PM. The series will have four seasons with 12 episodes per season
Papa Sava
‘Papa Sava’ is a YouTube series which has won the attention and admiration of many Rwandans. Produced by one of the top comedians Gratien Benimana, the series has been trending on different platforms. It plays on village life and how people live in rural areas. It brings together some of the top actors like Ndimbati and many others. It is uploaded on Gratien’s YouTube channel almost every week. It was launched in 2008 by its director Gratien Niyitegeka.
Indoto
The series is a story about Muhire, a young man who couldn’t get a job immediately after high school, he was deceived by his former friend who persuaded him to come to Kigali. Upon arriving, he tricked him and disappeared. Some of the actors include Pacifique Irankunda and Ange Muvunyi. It is directed by Israel Dusabe and airs on Rwanda Television every Tuesday at 9 am.
Natacha
A story of a young beautiful lady called "Natacha” who grew up without parents. She decides to date a businessman named Wilson with the aim of stealing his money, while also secretly in love with someone else. It is directed by Willy Ndahiro and is streamed on Zacu Tv.
Impanga Series
Created by Jannet Usanase Bahavu, Impaga series focuses on some of the drama that happens in society day by day. It is a story of twins named Kami and Keza. Kami plays the role of a hardworking and kind girl while Keza acts as a lazy slay queen in the scene. The series can be found on Impaga Tv YouTube channel, and has more than 200,000 viewers.
Makuta Series
It is a story by Ernest Kalisa which plays out drama and comedy at the same time. It’s a scene about a man named Makuta who is married to a woman who is barren. The main actor of the movie is Erneste Kalisa best known as Samusure or Rulinda. It airs on his YouTube channel three or two times a week.