By Our Reporter
The Amakula Film Festival, which is now in its 12th edition, kicked off on Friday afternoon at the Uganda Museum with the screening of acclaimed Ugandan feature film, “Kony – Order From Above”.
Based on actual happenings, the movie tells a story of two youth, Otti and Aguti who fall in love during the tumultuous northern Uganda Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. They are however separated when Otti is abducted at age 11. When they are finally later reunited after she is also abducted, Kony picks interest in Aguti and makes her his wife. Otti is then tasked with the security of Kony’s latest wife Aguti, leaving him torn between loyalty to the rebel cause and his love for her.
Directed by Ayeny T. Steve, the movie also highlights the atrocities committed by warlord Kony in northern Uganda.
The opening day also saw the screening of different short films and documentaries, before later concluding with a drive-in cinema where feature films, “Veronica’s Wish” and “Five Fingers for Marseillies” were screened.
According to Polly Kamukama, the festival curator, this year’s selection features 19 Ugandan titles out of the total 35 films that will be screened during this year’s festival.
“The festival is looking to solidify its reputation as a true champion of Ugandan cinema by dedicating a significant chunk of its program to local films and filmmakers.” Polly Kamukama explained.
The festival will run until Sunday, March 17, and will be crowned off with the Golden Impala Awards where the best films from across the continent will be recognised in five categories including the Best Uganda Feature Film.