Divizionz, 2007

Directors: Yes! That’s Us.
Written And Produced By Donald Mugisha And James Tayler
Starring: Kapo - Kyagulanyi “Bobi Wine” Ssentamu; Bana - Bugembe “Buchaman” Mark; Kanyankole - Catherine “Scarlet” Nakyanzi; Mulokole - Olem ‘Lot’ Bonny; The Boda Boda Man - Katsigire Patrick
 From Uganda

sez says:  If you want a tour of Kampala, Uganda -- from the slums to the nightclubs--with some busy lively streets along the way, this is your opportunity. While the actors are talented the city is a shinning star in this tale.  You never get tired of the landscape, the architecture, the goings-on around the action.  Hand held camera's provide intimacy and a sense of being in the moment with our troop of would be music stars. The imagery is stylish and enough alone to hold your interest.

Meanwhile: The friction between members of the group is over done. The point is ground into the story and fills every scene like the dust in the streets along which we  follow this troop.  But the point is clear--old hostilities between peoples are alive and kickin --and they are doing great harm.

There are major problem however. First it needs more editing. There are too many shots that do no add to the story.  The footage is strong -- but some of it needs to go, to keep the story moving.  Next, the subtitles flash by so fast that it is nearly impossible to read them. Mix that problem with the fact that the story is not presented early on in the film, so the audience has to struggle to understand from what these people are up to: What are they trying to accomplished; what are the barriers to accomplishing their goals; and what finally happened to the woman who was in the group? (some closure is needed on that question.)

Possibly for those who do not have to rely on the subtitles all of this is explained. But none of it is apparent if you do have to rely on the subtitles. You are left trying to fill-in the story line on your own--which can be done--but it shouldn't be necessary.  So a stronger story board, better subtitles and--a lot more editing and you've got the possibility of having a hip intro to a part of the world that is invisible to most of us..and which many of us would like to know about. But as is GRADE C-