‘Africa United’ to premiere in Kigali

KIGALI - The critically acclaimed film, “Africa United” will hold its first African premiere in Kigali on Sunday. Four of the film’s stars and the director, will be here for the celebrations which will also be attended by Rwanda’s national football team. The event will include a question and answer session with the cast and director. Africa United is a 2010 film directed by first-time UK film director Deborah ‘Debs’ Gardner-Paterson and starring Emmanuel Jal, Eriya Ndayambaje, Roger Nsengiyumva, Sanyu Joanita Kintu, Sherrie Silver and Yves Dusenge. The film, a tale of adventure, hope and football, tells the story of Rwandan children who leave Musanze District in Rwanda to embark on an epic journey across seven African countries to reach the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa. During their eventful trek through central and southern Africa, the children make new friends and deal with issues such as Aids and child prostitution. According to the Wikipedia movie review, the story begins in Rwanda where teenager Fabrice longs to pursue his ambition of becoming football legend. When he is offered the chance to audition for the opening ceremony of the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa, he sets off for Kigali, with his ‘manager’ Dudu and Dudu’s sister Beatrice. However, when they take the wrong bus and end up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, they decide to make the 3,000 mile journey to Johannesburg, where the World Cup opening ceremony is taking place. ‘Africa United’ was the inspiration of young Rwandan filmmaker Mukhtar Omar and made a reality by Rwandan filmmaker and producer Eric Kabera who wanted to make a feature which showed Rwanda and the Great Lakes region in a new light and reflect the growing peace and stability here. Shot on location in Rwanda, Burundi and South Africa, it’s the first ever Rwanda-UK co-production and the inaugural project of the new Rwanda Film Commission. Sunday’s premiere will be followed by a free screening on Monday evening in Kigali’s Amahoro National Stadium for more than 5000 people. Ends