The past decade has brought some prospective returns for filmmaker Nabwana I.G.G., whose work in crafting some of the most bombastic genre spectacles heralding the coming of Wakaliwood has been subject to some well-earned notoriety in the global festival scene. That especially includes being featured in Once Upon A Time In Uganda, a new documentary now slated for a North American release this summer.
Directed by Cathryne Czubek, Once Upon a Time in Uganda documents the explosive rise of a new genre of DIY cinema that has captured the imagination of film fans around the world. The doc follows two men from opposite sides of the world who come together in Wakaliga, Uganda over a shared love for Chuck Norris: Isaac Nabwana (known as ‘Africa’s Tarantino’) a former brickmaker, who decided to pick up a camera and start shooting his own ’80s inspired action epics, and Alan Hofmanis, a film nerd from New York who gives up his life in America to join forces with Isaac after seeing a trailer for one of his films online.
Against all odds, the two unlikely friends have catapulted Wakaliwood to worldwide stardom with their gonzo action movies, such as Who Killed Captain Alex, Bad Black, and Crazy World, bringing thrills to film fans across the world and earning screenings at leading genre film festivals and releases through fan-favorite cult labels. All three films are currently available either via the American Genre Film Archive or Drafthouse Films.
The film was previously set to premiere at SXSW in 2020 prior to its cancellation. It went on instead to screen for DOC NYC in late 2021 where it won the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. competition.
As reported by Deadline‘s Melanie Goodfellow on Tuesday, Yellow Veil Pictures and Drafthouse Films are releasing the documentary in theaters on July 4, followed by a digital rollout on July 25. Czubek also penned the documentary with Amanda Hughes and produced with Gigi Dement, Hugo Perez, Matt Porwoll, and Kyaligamba Ark Martin.
“Once Upon A Time In Uganda not only tells the fascinating untold story of Issac Nabwana’s true passion for stories and spectacle, but it’s also a heartfelt story of friendship,” said Yellow Veil Pictures Co-Founder, Hugues Barbier.
“It reminds us so much as to why we love films in the first place and teaming up with Drafthouse Films to bring this gem to the public seemed like the natural thing to do. We can’t wait to see this with an audience cheering and laughing.”
Drafthouse Films CEO Nick Savva added: “The whole Drafthouse Films team is magnetically drawn to stories that explore what it means to be in love with cinema. This film is no exception.”
Yellow Veil Pictures unveiled the official trailer on Tuesday which you can view below.
