Bobi Wine: The People's President

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Bobi Wine: The People's President

PG-13

Released Jul 28, 2023

1h 54m

Documentary

Biography

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42 Reviews

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50+ Ratings

This gripping documentary charts the inspiring activism of Bobi Wine, the pop star-turned-politician seeking to end Uganda's brutal dictatorship. Rising from the ghetto slums of Kampala to be one of the country's most beloved superstars, Bobi begins to use his music to call out corruption, then becomes an Independent Member of Parliament to defend the rights of his people. The country's institutions are controlled by President Museveni, an autocratic tyrant who has held power since 1986. Bobi and his wife Barbie choose to risk their careers, their family, and their lives to challenge him and bring democracy to their country. But the state is determined to silence not only them, but anyone who supports their cause.

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Critics Consensus

Sobering and enlightening, this politically charged documentary takes a captivating look at the life of Bobi Wine: The People's President and his fight for democracy.

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Linda Holmes

NPR

Bobi Wine is well worth a watch for anyone, but particularly for people who are thinking about what guardrails prevent their own governments from winding up in the same situation.

Feb 29, 2024

Full Review

Laura Babiak

Observer

The Oscar-nominated documentary shows the violence of Uganda's 35-year political regime, but, more importantly, it tells the story of the politician who's come closest to ending it.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 16, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

It’s a gripping piece of film-making: a propulsive, kinetic account of a grassroots campaign captured at what would seem to be considerable personal risk to both the subject and directors.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 3, 2023

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Patrick McDonald

HollywoodChicago.com

What struck me is how little I know about international dictatorships. The lessons of Uganda are the lessons our country needs, but the main focus is on the courage of Bobi … it’s as if Dr. King was also a famous singer. People power can save us all!

Rated: 5/5

Mar 18, 2024

Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

The closeness, viscerality, urgency, and power of the documentary allow us to understand first-hand the degree of corruption and deep disintegration of the Ugandan political system. [Full review in Spanish]

Mar 12, 2024

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

This illuminating documentary is more than just an intimate look at singer Bobi Wine's political activism, including his campaign to be elected president of Uganda in 2021. It's also about a fight for democracy and resistance to political oppression.

Mar 9, 2024

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Jo

Thought it was more Documentary than a movie, it was interesting, action-packed, informative, dramatic, and thought -provoking.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/23

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JonNookI

I'm on a journey to watch all of the 2024 Oscar nominees, and next up on my list was Bobi Wine: The People's President, a fantastic, important documentary that I am so glad got made. This film follow Bobi Wine (Real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu) a Ugandan singer turned politician uniting Uganda for his cause to hold a real, fair election against Yoweri Museveni, the president since 1986. I think this documentary really showcases how different life can be outside of western countries such as the United States and Canada. This film is heartbreaking throughout its runtime, but it's also filled with hope, which is a really important thing, especially when going through a rough time. Bobi's resilience in this film to make the government respect the constitution and the rights of its citizens is a truly inspiring thing to see. There were some strange editing choices here and there during the documentary, and I wish it could do a little bit more to showcase what Museveni has been doing, but I understand that they already did so much, putting themselves in danger just to record this, especially as showcased in a very important scene in the back half of the film. Overall, Bobi Wine: The People's President is a great documentary that I truly think deserves the Oscar nomination. It's incredibly educational, and a very important film that I would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about other countries in the world, and important figures from other places. This documentary is a must-watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

Eye C

A frustrating story, but I can't stop thinking that all started as a reality show for a pop star and then all went to hell and then became a documentary… but who knows…

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

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Dee M

I watched this because it is up for a 2024 Oscar. I had no idea what to expect. I was completely hooked on Bobi Wine's story and the plight of the people in Uganda. It is an amazing story of strength and bravery from Bobi and his wife as they try to change the lives of people in their country. It is a must-see, and it should have a donation page at the end to help him win the fight.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Dean E

Enlightening and depressing at once, this is the story of Uganda's biggest pop star who joins congress and then runs for President against their 30+ year dictator. He suffers exactly the type of treatment you would expect: beatings, torture, threats, arrests, and attempts on his life. It's a good warning for people who live in countries that are bordering on electing a dictator-wannabe; this is where you are headed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Vitoria F

A good documentary to learn more about current affairs in Uganda and the corruption that can be caused by power.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

Full Review

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Christopher Sharp

Director

Moses Bwayo

Director

Bobi Wine

Self

Barbie Kyagulanyi

Self

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu

Self

Christopher Sharp

Producer

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Bobi Wine: The People's President: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

This gripping documentary charts the inspiring activism of Bobi Wine, the pop star-turned-politician seeking to end Uganda's brutal dictatorship. Rising from the ghetto slums of Kampala to be one of the country's most beloved superstars, Bobi begins to use his music to call out corruption, then becomes an Independent Member of Parliament to defend the rights of his people. The country's institutions are controlled by President Museveni, an autocratic tyrant who has held power since 1986. Bobi and his wife Barbie choose to risk their careers, their family, and their lives to challenge him and bring democracy to their country. But the state is determined to silence not only them, but anyone who supports their cause.

Director: Christopher Sharp, Moses Bwayo
Producer: Christopher Sharp, John Battsek
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Production Co: Bleat Post Production, Ventureland, Southern Films
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Strong Violent Content|Bloody Images)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 28, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.0K
Runtime: 1h 54m

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