Tanzania, Netherlands, Singapore | 2009 | 86min | Swahili | English Subtitles | HD
- Göteborg International Film Festival 2010, International Film Festival Rotterdam 2010 (World Premiere)
- Asian competition, Singapore International Film Festival, 2010
- In competition for the Best Asian-Middle Eastern Film Award, Tokyo International Film 2010
- World Cinema Competition, Mumbai International Film Festival 2010
- In Best Documentary competition, Cinemanila International Film Festival 2010
Also titled: Kumbukumbu Za Mti Uunguao
“One can hope this work receives wide exposure because such a fresh outsider’s look at an African region is not common in world cinema. Together with Korean American Lee Isaac Chung’s MUNYURANGABO, this is most important quiet examination of lives outside our usual cinema experience.” Michael Campi
“A Singaporean director has made a movie in Tanzania. In Swahili. With a cast of non-actors. And it’s amazing. Kumbukumbu Za Mti Uunguao (Memories of a Burning Tree) is a multi-layered ensemble drama that cuts to matters of the heart and soul.” Wise Kwai’s Thai Film Journal
“With understated performances from non-professional actors speaking Swahili, the film gives a striking impression of urban African life without pushing violence, poverty or disease.” Ian Mundell, senses of cinema
Website: www.memoriesofaburningtree.blogspot.com
Synopsis
Smith comes to Dar es Salaam to tie up some loose ends. He meets Link, a tourist guide, who agrees to help him. Along the way they are offered help by Abdul, a grave digger, and Toatoa, a metal scavenger, who themselves are searching for answers to their own journeys. Their search eventually leads them to realise that this is a never-ending journey of dreams and disappointments. With an ensemble cast of non-professional actors and an improvised script, this film is an homage to the road movie genre, where ultimately the road ends when you want it to end.
Technical Specifications
Country of production: Singapore, Malaysia, Tanzania, The Netherlands
Production Company: Paddy Pictures
Co-production Companies: Studio Shermano, 13 Little Pictures
Running length: 86 minutes / COLOR
Year of production: 2010
Language: Swahili
Subtitles: English
Original Format: HD PAL
Screening Format: HDCAM PAL or Digibeta PAL
Aspect Ratio: 1:1.85
Sound: Stereo
Crew
Director: Sherman Ong
Writers: Sherman Ong with Peter Mbwago & Nkumi Hamis Mtingwa
Producer: Sherman Ong
Co-producers: Gertjan Zuilhof, Tan Bee Thiam
Cinematographer: Sherman Ong
Sound: Nkumi Hamis Mtingwa, Malto Tambi
Editor: Ming An, Kent Chan
Assistant Director: Peter Mbwago
Script Supervisor: Edgar Chatanda
Post-production Sound: Takuya Katsu
Camera Assistant: Malto Tambi
Fixer/Location: Link Reuben
Music: The ‘Tribute to Mardana’ Gang
Publicity Designer: Catherine Chia
Supported by: International Film Festival Rotterdam
Cast
Smith K. Kimaro
Link Reuben
Abdul Khalfan Malaika
Khalid Saleh Bilal
Mariam Rashid
Grace Mathayo
Miriam Emanuel
Mosses Samseni
Raheli Augustino
Supporting Cast
Rase Ndunguru
Stephen Josephat
Silvan N Mkude
Abdullah Saidi
Halima Hassan
Gladness Charles
Christina Jumas
Zaina Saidi
Gwamaka Mwakalinga
Khadija Borna
Khadya Mohamedi
Joruh Jackson
Amina Irajabu
Secemani Husseni
Sikoca Zoni
Shomaki Zumk
Zuena Lawi
Ramadhani Shabani
Mohamed Abdalah
Earohiney Njoki
Goodlucky Simon
Adamy Hamizi
John Kachile
Previous Screenings
2010
International Film Festival Rotterdam (World Premiere)
Goteborg International Film Festival (World Premiere)
Singapore International Film Festival (Asian Film Competition)
Hong Kong International Film Festival
African, Asian & Latin American Film Festival, Milan
Director’s Biography
Sherman Ong is a filmmaker, photographer, visual artist and educator. Winner of the 2010 ICON de Martell Cordon Bleu Photography Award, his works straddle fiction and documentary and have been presented at the Institute of Contemporary Arts London, Centre Pompidou Paris, Martin-Gropius-Bau Berlin, Musee du Quai Branly Paris, Mori Art Museum Tokyo, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, as well as the Biennales of Venice and Singapore. His films have been in official selection and competition in the international film festivals of Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Rotterdam and Montreal. A founding member of 13 Little Pictures, a film collective based in Singapore, he is currently developing his fourth feature film, BETOK (Hong Kong Asia Film Financing 2010, Hubert Bals Fund award).
Press and International Distribution / Sales Contact
13littlepictures@gmail.com