ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL

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ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL

By Rungano NYONI

NEW HORIZONS INT'L FILM FESTIVAL / NEW HORIZONS ASSOCIATION - as DISTR Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD, POLAND / FEST

Drama - Completed 2024

Festivals
& Awards

Festival de Cannes 2024

Un Certain Regard

Toronto - TIFF 2024

Special Presentations

Busan IFF 2024

Flash Forward

Thessaloniki IFF 2024

Open Horizons - Main

New Horizons International Film Festival Poland 2024

Official Selection

- Year of production
- 2024
- Genres
- Drama
- Countries
- ZAMBIA, UNITED KINGDOM
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Duration
- 95 mn
- Director(s)
- Rungano NYONI
- Writer(s)
- Rungano NYONI
- Cast
- Susan CHARDY
- Producer(s)
- Tim COLE, Ed GUINEY, Andrew LOVE, Elizabeth CHISELA, Henry B.j. PHIRI
- Synopsis
- The Best Director Award in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Festival goes to the latest work from the A24 studio, showcasing the exceptional talent of Rungano Nyoni, the Zambian-born auteur behind the renowned I'm Not a Witch (17th New Horizons). Nyoni once again skillfully merges realism with poeticism and surrealism with naturalism, crafting a vivid portrait of a local community ensnared by toxic tradition, family worship, and unyielding patriarchy, which consigns women to the roles of servants and laborers. In this compelling narrative, we encounter Shula, a character who is different, or perhaps longs to be different. She appears at night, returning from a party in a shiny mask, only to find her uncle's corpse on the road. This discovery ignites a brutal yet absurd spectacle where everyone is cast in predetermined roles. Despite the awareness of the uncle's heinous actions, custom dictates that only good things be said about the deceased, effectively silencing any mention of his female victims. Amidst this oppressive backdrop, a spark of rebellion—or at least laughter—flickers. All that's left to do is become a guinea fowl. Nyoni's electrifying second film emerges as a feminist redemption story—fresh, powerful, and a stunning addition to this year's African cinema showcase at New Horizons.

ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL

Festivals& Awards

Festivals
& Awards