Nigeria-
Two Rwandan films are still topping up the continental and international film waves. Mercy Of the Jungle by Joel Karekezi and Icyasha by Clementine Dusabejambo are the two films which have been highlighted in this year’s Africa Movie Academy Awards. Mercy of the Jungle has received 8 nominations under categories; AMAA Award for Best Film, AMAA Award for Best Director, AMAA Award for Best Actor-Leading Role, AMAA Award for Best Achievement in Editing, AMAA Award of Best Achievement in Cinematography, AMAA Award for Best Achievement in Soundtrack, AMAA Award for Best Achievement in MakeUp and AMAA Award for Best Achievement in Production Design. Icyasha has been nominated under the Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film.
Mercy Of the Jungle is a thriller film staring Ibrahim Ahmed, Stéphane Bak and Marc Zinga about the outbreak of the Second Congo War, Rwandan soldiers Sergeant XAVIER and Private FAUSTIN are sent to hunt down Hutu rebels in the vast jungles of eastern Congo. Xavier is a stoic veteran of the ethnic wars that have plagued his country for years.
This nomination follows many more accolades and screenings across international festivals including; the Grand Prize Ecran d’Or at the 2019 ECRANS NOIRS in Cameroon, Special Jury prize The Silver Mask of Tutankamun at Luxor African Film Festival 2019 in the Freedom international Competition, Le Prix du Jury Jeunes au F5C Festival de Cinema, the Golden Stallion at FESPACO among other awards among others.
Icyasha, which has before carried home several accolades follows a twelve years old boy and football lover tries desperately to join a neighborhood boys‘ team. His effeminate character disqualifies him. He gets denigrated and bullied several times. He finds himself confronted to a world where he has to prove and claim his masculinity. It is a story that simultaneously discusses the pain and beauty of childhood.
On its 15th edition, the awards will be held on the October 26 2019 in Lagos, Nigeria.
