by Rungano Nyoni
EnglishEnglish
We are delighted to be able to present the winning film in category Feature Film Competition to a wide audience again on the last Sunday of the festival! On a deserted road, Shula stumbles upon the body of her uncle. As the preparations for the funeral begin, she and her cousins uncover the dark secrets of their middle-class Zambian family. A surreal, dramatic comedy full of surprises about the lies we tell ourselves. Director Rungano Nyoni is known for her unique style that mixes realism with fairy tale elements. For ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL, she was awarded the prize for best director in the ‘Un certain regard’ section at Cannes. 'With absurd wit and original seriousness Rungano Nyoni unfolds the concealed secrets of a Zambian family – loud, unmistakable and with distinct succeptability to cultural peculiraities.' – Daniela Engler
Rungano Nyoni was born in Zambia and immigrated to Wales with her parents as a child. After completing training in finance, she decided to study acting, at the University of the Arts London. It was at this time that she discovered her passion for working behind the camera, so she went on to study drama at the Drama Centre London. Her film I AM NOT A WITCH was nominated at several film festivals (including Cannes) and won several awards, including the BAFTA Film Award (2018). Nyoni won the “Un Certain Regard” award at the Cannes Film Festival for ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL. ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL (2024) / I AM NOT A WITCH (2017) / KUUNTELE (2014) / MWANSA THE GREAT (2011)
