Money can ruin good ideas, as Hollywood knows, which makes Wakaliwood even more of a potent microcosm for Czubek’s ode to movie-making. Part of it seems to be a miscommunication, which is hard to make a good drama out of, and also out of Alan’s steadfastness to keep Wakaliwood within his definition of pure. Though they live near each other, they don’t talk for weeks.
Watch once upon a time series#
Czubek's take struggles with the main problem in its tale, a critical moment when the friendship breaks down after Isaac agrees to make a TV series out of “Who Killed Captain Alex?” with a Ugandan media mogul. Taking place over many years, "Once Upon a Time in Uganda" focuses on both Alan’s and Isaac’s experiences, although the former can sometimes have less impact, even with all of his advocacy. He then “directs” them away, one of a few moments in which Isaac, Alan, and Czubek treat this documentary as means for more Wakaliwood rule-breaking. I loved a moment where Isaac reflected on how while he was a brick-maker, he was always been thinking about movie-making-behind him, characters appear as if walking out from his dream. Isaac’s prolific cinema is the kind of DIY goodness that Michel Gondry (“ Be Kind Rewind”) has long been manifesting, and Czubek has a playfulness similar to the French filmmaker while illustrating the history of Wakaliwood, including how it presents the past. They began a friendship and partnership that had Alan working on, sometimes starring in (as the one white person always beaten up) and helping produce and distribute Isaac’s movies. Hofmans saw a type of cinematic revolution when he got his first glimpse of Wakaliwood (the viral trailer for “Who Killed Captain Alex?”), and he spent years living in Uganda trying to help Isaac with his knowledge of film festivals and publicity. The creation of Isaac’s homemade blockbusters is (sometimes uneasily) framed as a life-changing journey for his most dedicated follower, a white New York film impresario named Alan Hofmanis, who becomes our surrogate into this world where Czubek and her crew have an invisible presence. It is not a high-profit business model, but that isn’t why Isaac is doing this. His monthly-made features are then distributed around town, though DVD players are not common. He also calls his enterprise Wakaliwood, and there among people’s homes and mud roads, you can find him and his crew of stunt people, props makers, stars, and filmmakers using condoms for blood bursts or tying a green screen to the side of a one-story building so that someone can imitate hanging from a helicopter. “Who Killed Captain Alex?” is one of many high-octane and low-budget action features from writer/director Nabwana I.G.G., known here as Isaac, the founder of Ramon Productions in the Wakaliga slum in Uganda.
With more than 40 million people visiting Ranker every month, we are able to offer you data-driven recommendations based on voting across thousands of film & TV polls.Cathryne Czubek’s charming and entertaining documentary “Once Upon a Time in Uganda” bottles the magic that goes into such a production, which includes years of hard work, the support of believers, and a need to make one's imagination reality.
Watch once upon a time movie#
If you have a favorite movie or TV series like Once Upon A Time on this list, give the project a thumbs up!
Other good movies and shows featured on this list include Aladdin, Enchanted, and Maleficent. Charmed is another great show, featuring a trio of sibling who share magical powers.įor fans of Once Upon A Time looking for good movie recommendations, Cinderella is an excellent film that also features live-action versions of classic Disney princesses and stories. If you’re on the hunt for movies and TV shows similar to Once Upon A Time, Outlander is a great TV series about time travel and true love. Wondering what to watch after Once Upon A Time? If the fantasy and romance of the series has you hungry for more fairy tales, you're in luck! Since the public fascination with magic is not ceasing any time soon, there are loads of other movies and TV shows like Once Upon A Time ready for you to start bingeing.