What comes to your mind when you think of a Christmas Film? 

Well, on the 8th of December, 2023, we got served a Ugandan movie, the first of its kind; Ssekukkulu; A Ugandan Christmas, and it was everything we imagined and perhaps, so much more. 

Producer Sharon Ishimwe, who doubles as the director, and co-director Gerald Namanya managed to take us on a nostalgic journey to relive our Christmas experiences from when we were younger. From the excitement of drinking festive soda to that one drunkard uncle who is always causing a scene, a lot of what most of us would term as “Christmas those days” was featured in this movie. 

However, before we walk into the dark cinema hall and glue our eyes to the bright huge screen, let me lend you an eye at what we found waiting for us just outside, on the Acacia Mall rooftop. 

As you turned the corner from the lift to the night breeze of the rooftop, the merry tunes of an excellent DJ and energetic MCee welcomed your ears. The red carpet was graced with style and Glamour from the cast, crew, and fans who were all here for the experience. Camera lights flattered the attendees and loud adoring murmurs from the fans brushed through the air, there was a cocktail booth that never stopped giving…ho ho ho! Santa was in a refreshing mood that day, you could say! 

1hr into the merry-making and the vibrant Producer Sharon Ishimwe clad in a bright yellow dress officially welcomed us all to the event and prepared our hearts, eyes, and ears for what was about to go down inside...” She expressed gratitude and acknowledged the industry's pioneers. "We stand on the shoulders of those who built this for generations. Their hard work, often unseen, paves the way for cinema premieres. Thanks to the media for their love – TV, radio, newspapers. Your constant support means the world to us."

Excited audience members taking a self.

With bright smiles and eager eyes, revelers waltzed into the cinema hall, most of them in pairs like a scene from Noah's Ark! Those of us who didn't have a plus one were still cheered up by the fact that it was a full house in attendance and the warmth of the audience’s festive smiles and laughs were more than enough to make everyone feel at home inside the 195 seater hall. 

When the film finally started, it was one big name after the other as a plethora of amazing actors were present before us on the big screen. 

The best part is, that none of them were disappointed. Kudos to the casting director because every role felt, not just like a paid performer, but rather, like a relative you know delivering to you a memory from your own experience. 

The comedic submissions were top notch and the drama was well balanced with light moments that would have the audience laughing, wincing, and grinning in perfect synchrony like an orchestra band. 

Picture moment with Bwanika Felix one of the actors in the film.

Well, you know how they say that even in paradise there will be snakes! Similarly, there were a few hiccups here and there in the film. For example, there were scenes where the background music was playing and the actors were speaking but the voice of the words was not present which was a technical issue from the Cinema that was later fixed.  

However, it was a chance to highlight the preparedness of the editing team and good forward thinking to make sure that captions were present in the film so such moments did not cause a glitch to the storyline since the audience was still able to follow along through the captions. 

2hrs and a few minutes after we walked in, what felt like just 5 minutes because of the excellence in storytelling came to an end and the standing ovation and loud handclaps of appreciation were deafeningly pleasant. 

A proud cast and crew made their way to the front of the cinema hall to rightfully and deservingly receive their flowers from the satisfied and mesmerized audience. 

The best part is that the same feeling of amazement carried on even outside the cinema hall as small groups cocooned around to go over the nostalgia and joy they felt in their hearts and minds as a result of the film. 

A few days before the film premiere, Sharon had shared with us on the CinemaUG X Spaces how she hoped that people would walk away from the movie feeling a sense of revived love for the festivities and it is fair to say that she and her entire crew have fully achieved this wonderfully in what is set to be a Ugandan festive film that will stand the state of time and, hopefully, become a staple forever household for decades to come. 

If you missed a chance to watch the trailer of the film, catch it here: Ssekukkulu official trailer.

Story by Cinema UG.