He’s a multimillionaire reggae star nicknamed the “Ghetto President.” Then he decides to take on Uganda’s actual president who had been in power since 1986.
Shout out to the IDA Newsletter for putting this one on my radar.
Trailer for “Bobi Wine: The People’s President”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- During the campaign, Bobi was repeatedly arrested as police and the military cracked down on him and his supporters. After the election, security forces surrounded his home and kept Bobi and his wife Barbie there for 11 days.
- Co-director and cinematographer Moses Bwayo wasn’t safe behind the camera. While making the doc, he was arrested, jailed and shot in the face at close range. Threats against Bwayo and his family eventually forced him to flee Uganda.
Watch “Bobi Wine: The People’s President”
You can watch “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” on Disney+.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 83/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Release Date: September 1, 2022 (Venice Film Festival); July 28, 2023 (U.S. theatrical release)
Director’s Note: Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo directed “Bobi Wine: The People’s President.” Sharp met Bobi and Barbie in 2017 and decided their political fight needed to be documented.
Other Unique Stuff
- His wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, is a huge part of the story. Bobi isn’t making this gamble alone. They have four children, so every arrest and threat against Bobi is also a threat hanging over his family.
- “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2022 and received a 10-minute standing ovation.
Wrap Up:
“Bobi Wine: The People’s President” is what happens when a pop star decides his songs aren’t changing the country fast enough—so he tries to change the president instead. The scariest part is watching an election campaign slowly start to look like a war.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc