Crazy World: Joyously Bonkers DIY Action Cinema From Uganda
From the Wakaliga slums of Uganda’s Kampala (otherwise known as Wakaliwood, home of “DA BEST OF DA BEST MOVIES!”) comes Crazy World, the latest gonzo extravaganza from DIY film guru Isaac Nabwana (AKA Nabwana I.G.G.). Conceived by Nabwana as a legitimately sincere, preemptive measure to discourage the kidnapping of his own children, Crazy World’s non-stop barrage of energy, comedy, action, and passion will melt your face and warm your soul. Forget all about Wakanda; Wakaliwood is the new place to be!
The notorious gang Tiger Mafia goes on a kidnapping spree in order to help Mr. Big gather sacrificial blood that he believes will secure his investments and make him richer than he already is. Unfortunately, they capture the "Waka Stars," the children who have mastered the art of Kung Fu. Soon enough, punches are thrown and bullets are shot as the kids try to escape the clutches of their captors.
Nabwana's Ramon Film Productions is home to Uganda’s rapidly growing, low-budget DIY cinema industry known as Wakaliwood (home of “DA BEST OF DA BEST MOVIES!”). The studio has produced more than 40 low-budget action films over the last 10 years and has cultivated a full-on filmmaking community in the slums of Wakaliga, where Nabwana has lived his entire life. Drawing influence from Hollywood action, gangster, and kung-fu films, Nabwana is able to churn familiar elements into something new and exciting, establishing a new brand of action cinema with his distinct mix of humor, action, and African spiritualism.
Wakaliwood films are entirely homegrown and handcrafted, from their local talent to their use of scrap parts to build props, like guns and helicopters — Nabwana even edits them using old computers that he assembles. They’re undeniably rough and seemingly slapdash, but despite their limited production budgets, which rarely ever exceed $200, the infectious charm and ingenuity of Nabwana’s films have garnered a cult following that extends well beyond Uganda or the continent of Africa. Crazy World is the third film to reach an international audience, following festival hits Who Killed Captain Alex? and Bad Black, and its blissfully bonkers blend of high-energy action and deft comedy was our glorious introduction to the ways of Wakaliwood cinema (which has since become something of a new obsession of ours).
Describing a Wakaliwood (or Ugawood) film is somewhat difficult, but the overall experience is one of pure joy. On one hand, you have the films themselves, which are ballistic assaults of highly entertaining and absurd action that defy all the rules and standards of traditional filmmaking. On the other hand, you have the VJ (or Video Joker) commentary from VJ Emmie (AKA the “World’s Greatest Tongue-Fu Master”), who constantly shatters the fourth wall to hype up the film, translate dialogue, discuss the plot, and make wise cracks (like “Call of Duty: Uganda,” “Wifey Revenge” and our personal favorite, “Van Damage”). When these two elements converge, they give Wakaliwood films a singular feel, like if the sweded films from Be Kind Rewind got a Mystery Science Theater treatment.
With Crazy Wood, Nabwana stretches a zany and campy child abduction plot — which was conceived as a legitimate attempt to discourage the kidnapping of his own children — to gratuitously gonzo extremes for 60 magical minutes. The plot is absolutely batshit, but it’s not worth diving into; these films are less about the technical aspects or narrative prowess and more about their overabundant passion, over-the-top nature, laugh-out-loud humor, and audacious ambition. With their charmingly sloppy style (akin to Giuseppe Andrews) and their DIY gore and self-aware humor (similar to Troma’s Lloyd Kaufman, but far more wholesome), Crazy World is able to transcend their many technical inadequacies and any/all expectations. A movie like this shouldn’t be as entertaining as this, but Crazy World is nothing short of an absolute hoot — especially if it’s consumed amongst a group of friends.
Make no mistake and don’t be influenced by its janky presentation, Crazy World is hands down one of the most entertaining and fun films we’ve had the pleasure to see this year. Nabwana and company have done something truly special here: they’ve captured the pure joy of cinema, one that harks back to when we were all kids playing pretend with our big, infinite imaginations.
Recommendation: Absolutely escape from the real craziness of the world and step into Wakaliwood’s Crazy World! You can rent this amazingly fun flick on Alamo on Demand right now!
Rating: 4 headshots outta 5.
What do you think? We want to know. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments section below, and as always, remember to viddy well!