WE ARE ONE: A GLOBAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! Child kidnapping is an issue that has plagued the world for thousands of years. The United States, Brazil, and Uganda are just some of the places that suffer from the horrific effects of child kidnapping, and politics has recently started playing a significant role in putting an end to deplorable actions of those involved. Joseph Kony (in Uganda) is probably the most well-known individual to be involved in the kidnapping and abuse of young children, making Uganda the perfect place to emphasize the distress that child-kidnapping causes. Crazy World attempts to tackle the difficult subject and shed light on the injustices that take place every day around the world. In the dangerous country of Uganda, children struggle to remain safe as many horrible men are out to remove them from their loving homes and out into the Crazy World that surrounds them. In this (what I would consider a) mockumentary/action film, multiple dark and horrific scenarios are depicted to help make clear to the world the distress that Ugandan families often face at the hands of some truly horrible people (with a twist). Throughout the film, audiences find themselves immersed in a film that is being made at the present moment. The narrator, VJ Emmie, seems to be expressing to audiences that Crazy World is in progress and that they are along for the journey.
The film opens with a brief explanation of the set used to film many Ugandan films. A gentleman walks audiences through the set and shows them the most important aspects of what is called Wakaliwood. The audience is introduced to the numerous sets used for the upcoming film, the young children as they train for their respective roles and their version of a wall of fame–a wall covered in the names of those who have participated in Wakaliwood’s films. As audiences reach the end of their tour, they are told that it is time for Crazy World and one of the greatest films ever made.
“…depicts child kidnapping and the stress it places on families…”
Realistically, expectations are not high for Crazy World when it is made clear what exactly the production company is working with. However, even those low expectations are shattered (almost instantly) when viewers begin to understand just how low budget the film is. The story is quite compelling, as it depicts child kidnapping and the stress it places on families (and more specifically those children) who are involved. Writer-director Nabwana IGG attempts to make the film more accessible to audiences by incorporating humor into the script. The attempt at humor comes in the form of a narrator poorly (and excitedly) narrating over the actions and dialogue already in place. The humor, however, misses its target and actually becomes quite annoying. As viewers attempt to focus on the film, Emmie continues to talk and distract them from what is taking place. The most successful attempts at humor are those that belittle Producer Alex’s Mr. Big. As the film progresses, viewers see how the antagonist becomes the butt of many silly, but hilarious jokes about his size and stature. So, there is hope for IGG’s comedy after all.
The acting is mostly unappealing, and it fails to reach or impress audiences, However, of all who take part in bringing this story to life, Isaac Newton Kizito (Kido) is the most talented. For a boy who must be no more than ten years old possesses a talent that, in many ways, will open up a bright and promising future for him in Hollywood. He is expressive, energetic, and lovable from the moment he steps onscreen until the waning moments of Crazy World. He is the budding star in this film, and it seems possible that his future in the world of film is bright.
A combination of subpar acting, ridiculous and unnecessary graphics, and frustratingly annoying narration causes Crazy World to fall short of any and all expectations that audiences might have going into the film. The saving grace of the film is the passion that those involved with Wakaliwood have for filmmaking and for this specific project. The opening segment makes it very clear how important this project (and film in general) is to this production company and all involved. While Crazy World is not impressive, the sentiment behind the project, the passion that clearly goes into every moment of production, and the talented Kizito provide the audience reasons to appreciate what is being done.
Crazy World was curated by the Toronto International Film Festival for the We Are One: A Global Film Festival.
"…the antagonist becomes the butt of many silly, but hilarious jokes..."
What were you expecting? Have you watched their other films? This review fills me with actual anger. This is something called a “passion project”, maybe that concept is beyond your reach being a film reviewer on a minor website. I would rather have 100 conversations with the makers of Wakaliwood films than one with the writer of this review, at least I’d actually get some laughs. It makes me kinda sad that a group of people in Uganda have more respect for their audience, self awareness, passion for their industry and sense of fun than actual Hollywood, but I guess this reviewer isn’t capable of viewing any piece of media with anything less than the utmost seriousness at any point. This review is a genuine embarrassment to read. “And it fails to reach or impress audiences”, did you do any research into other peoples reactions at TIFF? And what on earth are you talking about saying that the young star has “a bright career in Hollywood ahead of him”. That’s not what this is about, they don’t want that. They literally just want to make films that they would enjoy and hope others will, and anyone with an actual soul does enjoy them. It may come as a real surprise to hear this but some people are actually happy with what they have in life. But hey, I hope the paycheck you got for reviewing this made you feel a bit better.
So you’re saying this movie made for zero dollars by a community of friends in an impoverished village in Uganda has “subpar acting”? Worst review ever written. Kyle Bain should retire from film criticism and go live on a remote mountain.
Clearly you know nothing about Wakaliwood. The ‘sets’ are a slum on the outskirts of Kampala and are fluid and personal. The ‘actors’ are untrained locals who are more than passionate about what they are creating. You can’t view a movie like this from the perspective that it is Hollywood wannabe. The Video Joker is an integral part of these movies…the tradition took root when Western films were shown to those who, by no fault of their own, are illiterate even in their native language. VJ’s make films accessible. Maybe you should have learned a lot more about these films and their creators before you criticize every single aspect that makes them so special. By the way, I have been to Wakaliwood and saw for myself how amazing these creations are in spite of the environment they are born in…and my name is on the Wall of Fame. Been there, done that. You?
BLASPHEMY