In a unique and innovative approach to storytelling, a group of Kyambogo University students and creative has taken the art of filmmaking to a whole new level by producing a movie that revolves around the concept of academic retakes.
The movie, titled “Why did you give me 49?” offers a fresh perspective on the struggles that students go through at campus, one being under-average marks which lead to automatic retakes.
Through their cinematic creation, these students have managed to shed light on the resilience and determination that students exhibit when faced with such setbacks.
In a telephone interview with Campus Bee, Anthony Kambale, one of the actors said that the inspiration for the film was drawn from experiences in which two of the creatives on the team failed to graduate after missing out on about 1-3 marks to hit the average mark – 50%
“He (the director) comes in with a story of what happened at campus, he didn’t graduate because he got a 49%. So he brings in a story about his lecturer who used to teach Oil and Gas Engineering at Kyambogo University.”
“…the story relates to my own because I was in Performing Arts at Makerere, I too didn’t graduate because I got 48% and we were about 10 who didn’t graduate because of a deficit of about 1-3 marks so we felt like why wouldn’t we do something that people are silently battling with and would relate to
Kambale revealed that about 50% of the actors on this film are still studying at campus (Kyambogo) and the most part of the remaining team didn’t complete their studies due to the marks shortfall.
To other creators out there trying to make their stories known to the world, Kambale advises that they try to create platforms of their own, upon which they can showcase their creativity.
“We aimed at creating a platform for ourselves since we tried different people’s platforms; we looked at the idea of Michael Wawuyo Jr. and Loukman Ali who created their own platforms, and are writing their own stories. The industry is big and there are so many people who feel like they should play around with people’s ideas because we (new creative) come with desperation”
“If you feel like the industry is not favoring you, do not quit because arts is a broad thing. You will find people who you are with, in the same category and you can always come up with ideas together” he said.
He also explains that at this foundation stage of their creation, they are doing it out of love and passion and not for the money.
The team envisions showing their stories to the world through the big stages such as PearlMagic, Netflix among others.
Directed by A One Kavuma (Kavuma Viery) the film features actors namely; Anthony Kambale, Ronald Katumba, and actress – Ayder Nakigozi among others. It plots around a retaking student who decides to put matters into his own hands after his arrogant lecturer gives him 49 in the last semester of his course.
As the movie nears its premier on September 1st via YouTube channel “slim snaps,” the creators hope that their work will not only entertain but also encourage a broader dialogue about the pressures and expectations placed on university students.
