Once Upon a Time in Uganda

Play trailer

Once Upon a Time in Uganda

2023

1h 34m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Set in Uganda, this documentary follows two men from opposite sides of the world who come together over a shared love for Chuck Norris. Isaac, a former brick maker, decides to pick up a camera and start shooting his own '80s inspired action epics, and Alan, a film nerd from New York gives up his life in America to join forces with Isaac after seeing a trailer for one of his films online. Against all odds, the two unlikely friends have catapulted Wakaliwood to worldwide stardom with their own gonzo action movies bringing joy to millions of people across the internet.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Once Upon a Time in Uganda is a triumphant, infectiously joyous celebration of film and filmmaking that should inspire DIY artists everywhere.

Read Critics Reviews

Jonathan Romney

Financial Times

This is a fascinating, potentially inspiring story messily told.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 11, 2023

Full Review

Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Czubek treads a delicate line, managing to avoid patronising Nabwana or portraying Hofmanis as a white saviour, and the ending is worthy of Hollywood and Wakaliwood.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 8, 2023

Full Review

Marina Ashioti

Little White Lies

Comes together as an effusive love letter to the Wakaliwood king, despite not always keeping the focus on the more germane perspective.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 6, 2023

Full Review

Tom Shone

Sunday Times (UK)

For all the comedy and over-the-top narration this is clearly something of an exorcism of Nabwama’s childhood in the post-Idi Amin Eighties, when he grew up with the sound of gunfire from passing helicopters.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 12, 2023

Full Review

Andrew Murray

The Upcoming

At its core, Once Upon a Time in Uganda is a triumphant celebration of a shared love of cinema.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

Czubek’s film is a celebration of the joys of making movies (especially ones with lots of fight scenes).

Rated: 3/5

Aug 31, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

dave d

A documentary on the beginnings of the Ugandan film is a fascinating story of a small triumph. There is a bit of white savior here, which stood out a touch too much, especially because the individual seemed so obtuse, but still the heart was is the right place. Not sure why we needed the conflict either. Overall, it's interesting and worthwhile! Final Score: 7/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/25

Full Review

Segedi

I had a blast watching this movie it has super packet action and humor, that will inspire anyone that has been thinking of making their own movie or anything in other creative fields. It shows you that if you have passion you can do anything no matter where you are in life.. thank your for making this movie I'm a big fan!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

Thomas C

Loved this story. The amazing will and capacity to make and create.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/23

Full Review

Citizen Z

Nicely done with a real insider, heartwarming look at the creativity among and bias against.an amazingly inventive ghetto community that made classic action movies on a shoe string budget in Uganda.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/23

Full Review

Daniel V

The Little Mermaid (2023)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/09/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Cathryne Czubek

Director

Isaac Nabwana

Self

Alan Hofmanis

Self

Harriet Nabwana

Self

V.J. Emmie

Self

Bisaso Dauda

Self

Dear Mr. Brody

97%

60%

Dear Mr. Brody

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Dear Mr. Brody

The Boys in Red Hats

67%

%

The Boys in Red Hats

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Boys in Red Hats

Fake Famous

73%

63%

Fake Famous

Watchlist

Accepted

95%

86%

Accepted

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Accepted

Killing Escobar

88%

%

Killing Escobar

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Set in Uganda, this documentary follows two men from opposite sides of the world who come together over a shared love for Chuck Norris. Isaac, a former brick maker, decides to pick up a camera and start shooting his own '80s inspired action epics, and Alan, a film nerd from New York gives up his life in America to join forces with Isaac after seeing a trailer for one of his films online. Against all odds, the two unlikely friends have catapulted Wakaliwood to worldwide stardom with their own gonzo action movies bringing joy to millions of people across the internet.

Director: Cathryne Czubek
Producer: Gigi Dement, Cathryne Czubek, Hugo Perez, Matt Porwoll, Kyaligamba Ark Martin
Screenwriter: Cathryne Czubek, Amanda Hughes
Distributor: Yellow Veil Pictures
Production Co: Wonderview Studios
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 25, 2023
Runtime: 1h 34m

Most Popular at Home Now