MY THOUGHTS ABOUT ‘ZERO ALTERNATIVE’, A FILM FROM NYAKASURA SCHOOL

I spent my Sunday browsing a site called streameastfilms.com in search of a Ugandan film to watch. That’s how I landed on ‘ZERO ALTERNATIVE’, a new student-centered film by Mzee Bwanika featuring Nyakasura School students that recently premiered. What you’re about to read are my honest thoughts, not an attack, but a call to accountability for those of us committed to building a film industry we can all be proud of. I know they are about to ask me to show them my own films. That’s what they always say when someone gives feedback.

It has become increasingly popular for filmmakers to partner with schools for productions, often as a strategy to boost ticket and film sales. And while that’s not inherently wrong, it’s important that we do not misuse these opportunities or disrespect the trust placed in us. When school administrators agree to support film projects, it’s usually because they believe they are dealing with professionals. That trust represents the entire film fraternity. So when a project falls short, it doesn’t just affect that one school, it affects all of us.

Let’s talk about casting. Students who are selected to act in these films must be cast based on talent, not just appearance. It is deeply painful watching a beautiful or handsome student fail to deliver emotionally on screen. It’s like watching someone being slowly undressed in public. These young learners deserve proper training, guidance, and rehearsal time. Don’t just throw them in front of a camera, equip them to succeed. No matter how much we want to dish out opportunities to all of them, we have to remember that ‘MANY ARE CALLED BUT A FEW ARE CHOSEN’.

Now that I have got those off my chest, onto the ZERO ALTERNATIVE film itself.

‘ZERO ALTERNATIVE’ is based on a real-life story of a young boy who joins the prestigious Nyakasura School with hopes of excelling academically and becoming an accountant. However, he quickly succumbs to peer pressure, leading to a series of poor choices that nearly destroy his future. Caught at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong crowd, his life spirals before he finds redemption back to the right path.

The story arc will feel familiar to many Ugandans who attended boarding school in the ‘90s and early 2000s. That sense of nostalgia is definitely a strength. I still feel that this story has been over told in most of the high school films attempted by Ugandan filmmakers. Does it hurt? Maybe it looks like all creators are digging into the same basket hence seeming like creativity is less.

Before seeing the credits, I had a strong suspicion the film was shot by Ssesimba Tadeo, the color grading gave it away, as it resembled several of his previous works. And I was right. Tadeo was indeed behind the camera and colour grading. There’s even a scene in the film with an RnB track praising him, which felt a bit self-indulgent. I laughed when I heard the song. The editor was Lauren Ssesimba, possibly a relative?

While Tadeo and his team gave the visuals their best, sound is one of the areas that needed urgent attention. Poorly articulated English dialogue, muffled audio, and the jarring rustle of microphones during hugs, these technical issues disrupted what could have been more immersive scenes. I definitely think some of the actors struggled with English but it gave the film a Western Uganda feel.

As for the script, it’s evident that the writer had a tough job condensing a real-life story into a tight runtime. However, the film does manage to take the viewer through the main character’s transformation journey. There’s a clear beginning, middle, and end. The intention is noble and for many students watching, it will be a relatable lesson in decision-making and peer influence.

In the end, ‘ZERO ALTERNATIVE’ is a well-meaning effort that reflects both the potential and the pitfalls of school-based productions in Uganda. It’s a film that starts a conversation but could have spoken louder and clearer with a little technical polish.

The film is currently streaming on www.streameastfilms.com and can be accessed for as little as 1,000 UGX. You can give it a try especially if you’re passionate about where our film industry is headed.