On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

Last updated

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Directed by Rungano Nyoni
Written byRungano Nyoni
Produced by
Starring
  • Susan Chardy
  • Elizabeth Chisela
  • Henry B.J. Phiri
CinematographyDavid Gallego
Edited byNathan Nugent
Music byLucrecia Dalt
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • May 16, 2024 (2024-05-16)(Cannes)
  • December 6, 2024 (2024-12-06)(United Kingdom and Ireland)
  • March 7, 2025 (2025-03-07)(United States)
Running time
95 minutes
Countries
  • Ireland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Zambia
Languages

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is a 2024 black comedy drama film written and directed by Rungano Nyoni, and starring Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela and Henry B.J. Phiri. It is a co-production between Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zambia.

Contents

The film competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on 16 May 2024. It was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on December 6, 2024, by Picturehouse Entertainment, and in the United States on March 7, 2025, by A24.

Premise

On an empty road in the middle of the night, Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin around them, she and her cousins bring to light the buried secrets of their middle-class Zambian family. [1]

Cast

Production

The film is written & directed by Rungano Nyoni and developed by BBC Film and Element Pictures. [2] [3] Financing came from A24 alongside BBC Film and Fremantle. [4] David Gallego is the cinematographer on the project, and Malin Lindholm is the production designer. Producers include Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures. Production was reported to have begun in October 2022. [5]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on May 16, 2024. [6] [7] [8] It also screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2024, [9] [10] 2024 New York Film Festival on October 3, 2024, [11] [12] the BFI London Film Festival, [13] and the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. [14]

It was originally scheduled to be released by A24 in the United States on December 13, 2024, [15] but was delayed to March 7, 2025. [16] In October 2024, it was announced that Picturehouse Entertainment had acquired UK and Irish distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a release on December 6, 2024. [17]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 100% of 38 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10. [18] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 80 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [19]

Accolades

The film was nominated for Best British Independent Film and Best Director at the British Independent Film Awards in November 2024. [20]

AwardCeremony dateCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Cannes Film Festival 24 May 2024 Un Certain Regard Rungano Nyoni Nominated
Un Certain Regard – Best Director [a] Won [21]

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Africa</span>

Cinema of Africa covers both the history and present of the making or screening of films on the African continent, and also refers to the persons involved in this form of audiovisual culture. It dates back to the early 20th century, when film reels were the primary cinematic technology in use. As there are more than 50 countries with audiovisual traditions, there is no one single 'African cinema'. Both historically and culturally, there are major regional differences between North African and sub-Saharan cinemas, and between the cinemas of different countries.

<span title="French-language text"><i lang="fr">Un Certain Regard</i></span> Section of the Cannes Film Festival

Un Certain Regard is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's official selection. It is run at the salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or. This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmanuelle Bercot</span> French actress

Emmanuelle Bercot is a French actress, film director, and screenwriter.

Kanu Behl is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He is known for his work in Hindi cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Cannes Film Festival</span> Film festival

The 68th Cannes Film Festival took place from 13 to 24 May 2015. Ethan and Joel Coen were the Co-Presidents of the Jury for the main competition, marking the first time that two people co-chaired the jury. Since the Coen brothers each received a separate vote, they were joined by seven other jurors to form the customary nine-juror panel. French actor Lambert Wilson was the host for the opening and closing ceremonies.

<i>I Am Not a Witch</i> 2017 film

I Am Not a Witch is a 2017 drama film written and directed by Rungano Nyoni in her feature debut film.

Rungano Nyoni is a Zambian-Welsh director, screenwriter and actress. She is known for the film I Am Not a Witch, which she wrote and directed. The film won Nyoni the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut in 2018 and has also garnered accolades from international film festivals. Her 2009 film, The List, won the Welsh BAFTA Award for Best Short Film.

Jessie Chisi is a Zambian film director and screenwriter.

Roberto Minervini is an Italian film director, screenwriter, photographer, and Music Producer. His recent films, focusing on American rural life and marginalized populations, have been praised for their "disarming directness." Minervini's films are notable for their use of both documentary observation and dramatized elements, sometimes in combination.

<i>The Souvenir Part II</i> 2021 film

The Souvenir Part II is a 2021 drama film, written and directed by Joanna Hogg. It is a sequel to The Souvenir (2019). It stars Honor Swinton Byrne, Jaygann Ayeh, Richard Ayoade, James Spencer Ashworth, Harris Dickinson, Charlie Heaton, Joe Alwyn, and Tilda Swinton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Cannes Film Festival</span> Film festival

The 74th annual Cannes Film Festival took place from 6 to 17 July 2021, after having been originally scheduled from 11 to 22 May 2021. American filmmaker Spike Lee was invited to be the president of the jury for the main competition for the festival, after the COVID-19 pandemic in France scuttled plans to have him head the jury of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival. French actress Doria Tillier hosted the opening and coolsing ceremonies.

<i>War Pony</i> 2022 film by Riley Keough and Gina Gammell

War Pony is a 2022 American drama film directed and produced by Riley Keough and Gina Gammell—in both of their respective feature directorial debuts—from a screenplay by Keough, Gammell, Franklin Sioux Bob and Bill Reddy. It stars Jojo Bapteise Whiting and Ladainian Crazy Thunder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Cannes Film Festival</span> 2023 film festival

The 76th annual Cannes Film Festival took place from 16 to 27 May 2023. Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund served as jury president. With the French film Anatomy of a Fall winning the Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, Justine Triet became the third female director to achieve the prize, after Jane Campion in 1993, and Julia Ducournau in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Cannes Film Festival</span> 77th edition of French film festival

The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival took place from 14 to 25 May 2024. American filmmaker and actress Greta Gerwig served as jury president for the main competition. French actress Camille Cottin hosted the opening and closing ceremonies. American filmmaker Sean Baker won the Palme d'Or, the festival's top prize, for the comedy-drama film Anora.

<i>Armand</i> (film) 2024 film by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel

Armand is a 2024 thriller drama film written and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, in his feature directorial debut.

<i>Santosh</i> (2024 film) 2024 film

Santosh is a 2024 Hindi-language crime drama film written and directed by Sandhya Suri. It is an international co-production of the United Kingdom, India, Germany and France. Set in rural north India, it stars Shahana Goswami as a widow who inherits her late husband's job of police constable. Principal photography occurred over 45 days in August–October 2023 in and around Lucknow, India.

<i>Souleymanes Story</i> 2024 film

Souleymane's Story, previously titled The Story of Souleymane, is a 2024 French film directed by Boris Lojkine from a script he wrote with Delphine Agut. The film stars Abou Sangare as Souleymane, an immigrant from Guinea working for a food delivery service in Paris.

The Damned is a 2024 drama film written and directed by Roberto Minervini. Set in 1862 against the backdrop of the American Civil War, the film follows a group of volunteer Union soldiers.

The 68th BFI London Film Festival was a film festival that took place from 9–20 October 2024. The competition films were announced on 29 August 2024 while the films for the galas and the strands were revealed on 4 September 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL". Festival de Cannes. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  2. ↑ "BBC Film celebrates four films in official selection at Cannes Film Festival 2024". BBC News. April 11, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Irish films to have "strong presence" at 2024 Cannes Film Festival". IrishCentral. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  4. ↑ Ritman, Alex (April 11, 2024). "A24 Boards Rungano Nyoni's Cannes Entry 'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  5. ↑ Lavallee, Eric (January 11, 2023). "Top 200 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2023: #121. Rungano Nyoni's On Becoming a Guinea Fowl". Ioncinema. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  6. ↑ "The films of the Official Selection 2024". Festival de Cannes. April 11, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  7. ↑ "ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL BY RUNGANO NYONI, IN UN CERTAIN REGARD SELECTION AT THE CANNES FESTIVAL 2024". Sortiraparis.com. April 11, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ "The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. May 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl". Toronto International Film Festival . Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  10. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 22, 2024). "TIFF Galas & Special Presentations Lineup Includes World Premieres From Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Gia Coppola; Starry Pics With Jennifer Lopez, Lily James, Dave Bautista; Int'l Premieres 'Conclave' & 'Piece By Piece', More". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  11. ↑ "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl". New York Film Festival . Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  12. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (August 6, 2024). "NY Film Festival Main Slate Includes Cannes Winners 'Anora' and 'Seed of the Sacred Fig'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Competition films announced for 68th BFI London Film Festival". British Film Institute . August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  14. ↑ Deb, Deepshikha (September 30, 2024). "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Unveils 2024 Official Lineup". High On Films. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  15. ↑ "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" (PDF). A24 Publicity . Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  16. ↑ Zilko, Christian (November 14, 2024). "'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl' Trailer: A Zambian Funeral Unearths Family Secrets and Cultural Tensions in A24's Festival Hit". IndieWire . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  17. ↑ Dalton, Ben (October 10, 2024). "Picturehouse Entertainment buys Rungano Nyoni's 'On Becoming A Guinea Fowl' for UK-Ireland". Screen International . Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  18. ↑ "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  19. ↑ "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  20. ↑ Ntim, Zac (November 5, 2024). "British Independent Film Awards: 'Kneecap' Leads Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  21. ↑ Lodge, Guy (May 24, 2023). "Cannes Film Festival: 'Black Dog' Wins Un Certain Regard Award". Variety . Retrieved May 24, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.