Rehema Nanfuka Explained

Rehema Nanfuka
Birth Date:25 May 1986
Birth Place:Uganda
Years Active:2008–present
Alma Mater:
Occupation:
  • Actress
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Screenwriter
Citizenship:Ugandan
Awards:

Rehema Nanfuka (born 25 May 1986) is a Ugandan film, theatre and television actress, director, and filmmaker known for her roles in Imani, Veronica's Wish, Imbabazi, The Girl in the Yellow Jumper, Queen of Katwe, and Imperial Blue,[1] among other films.[2] [3]

She won the Best Director award at the 2018 Uganda Film Festival Awards, becoming the first female director to ever win an award in this category at any of the awarding bodies in Uganda.

Career

Film and television

Rehema started her acting career in Mira Nair's Maisha Film Lab's 2008 production, Downcast where she played a housewife.

Her breakout role as Mary the maid in Imani won her two awards; the Africa Movie Academy Award for Most Promising Actress in 2010[4] sharing the win with Chelsea Eze and Best Actress Award at the African Film Festival of Cordoba, Spain in 2010.[5] [6] The film also won an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. Rehema also received recognition from the Variety critic Boyd Van Hoeij who wrote, "Rehema Nanfuka, as a distressed maid in the second-best segment, impresses with her quiet sense of dignity."[7] The Hollywood Reporter critic Neil Young wrote, "Nanfuka and Buyi are engaging performers and cope well with underwritten characters."[8]

In 2013, she starred in Joel Karekezi's Imbabazi, The Pardon, a film about the Rwanda genocide, in which she was nominated for the Best Actress award at the Festival du Cinéma Africain de Khouribga, Morocco 2015.

Rehema starred as Suzanna in Yat Madit in 2016 alongside Gladys Oyenbot and Michael Wawuyo Jr. For this role, she won the award for Best Actress TV at the Uganda Film Festival in 2017.[9] [10] [11]

Nanfuka directed the 2018 award-winning film Veronica's Wish for which she won the Best Director Award at the Uganda Film Festival 2018 in Kampala, becoming the first female to win the accolade in Uganda. The film also received eight other awards out of the twelve nominations.[12]

Theatre

On the theatre stage, Rehema's earlier roles were in plays staged at the National Theatre. She starred as Lady Macbeth in the play Macbeth and received critical acclaim for her performance from Daily Monitor critic Brian Magoba[13] as well as The Observer critic Polly Komukama, who wrote, "Rehema Nanfuka put up the best performance as the evil Lady Macbeth."[14]

In 2015, she played Dorra and Kate in The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield in the Bosnian War a play by Romanian-French playwright by Matei Visniec and Judith Adong's Ga-Ad! Her other notable theatre credits include The Laramie Project, Tropical Fish (book), Jean Paul Sartre's No Exit, Just me you and the silence and the river and the mountain.

Rehema was one of the voice actors in The Cow Needs a Wife, a play that was streamed on the BBC African Performance programme in 2010.[15]

Rehema's story has been featured on The Moth.[16] [17] And as a spoken word artist Rehema featured in the Goethe Institut's Africa spoken word project.[18] She emerged winner of the Kampala Slam 2013.[19] [20]

Rehema has also received endorsements for commercials for Airtel Uganda,[21] Airtel Malawi,[22] Milkman Uganda,[23] and ECO Bank Uganda.

Rehema plays Lisa Borera in an upcoming film Kafa Coh and Nkinzi in Nana Kagga's upcoming TV series, Reflections.

Education

Rehema went to Kibuli Secondary School, then Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university where she obtained a degree in International Business. She is also an alumna of Maisha Film Lab.

Nominations and awards

Awards
YearAwardCategoryResult
2018Uganda Film Festival AwardsBest Director
(Veronica's Wish)
2017Best Actress in a TV Drama
in Yat Madit
2015Festival du Cinéma Africain de Khouribga, MoroccoBest Actress (The Pardon –role)
2013Goethe Institute spoken word project, AfricaBest spoken word Artist in Kampala
2010African Film Festival of Cordoba, SpainBest Actress Film Award (Imani- role)
Africa Movie Academy Awards, NigeriaMost Promising Actress (Imani- role)

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
st#le="width:65px;"Actorst#le="width:65px;"Directorst#le="width:65px;"Writerst#le="width:65px;"Producer
2022Kafa CohLisa BoreraDirected by Gilbert K. Lukalia
Produced by Doreen Mirembe
2020The Girl in the Yellow JumperDorothy Thriller
2018Veronica's Wish
Kafa Coh(In production)Lisa BoreraIn production
Imperial BlueAngela MbiraDrama / Fantasy / Thriller
Facing NorthStellaShort
5 Yogera shorts
2017KyenvuTaxi gossipShort film
Tebandeke's DreamDocumentary
Papi (film)[24] Mother
2015Queen of KatweNurseWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
King of Darkness Doctor
2013 The-Pardon (Imbabazi) Alice
The Road We Travel Housewife
Haunted Souls Apoto Grace
Nico the Donkey
4G SpiritDocumentary
2010 Imani (film)MaryWon two awards; Best Actress Tarifa Africa film festival and Most promising actress at the AMAAs
EstrangedSingle mother
2009 The PardonAliceMaisha Film Lab
2008 Down Cast HousewifeMaisha Film Lab

Television

YearTelevision SeriesRoleNotes
ActorDirectorWriterProducer
2018Export Baby (Episode 2)Mother forced to sell babyNPO 1 Dutch Public Broadcasting
ReflectionsNkinziSavannah Moon Pictures
2016Yat MaditSuzannaMedia Focus on Africa
2014Love MakanikaLeadDilstories
2011 Fruits of love Eldest daughterIVAD Productions
2010 Kakibe ki! Lead NTV Uganda

Theatre

YearProductionRoleNotes
ActorDirectorWriterProducer
2019Niqabi NinjaHana[25]
2018 The Slay Queens of Africa Musical[26] Afroman Spice
Adoption Wife
We are back! Destiny Africa 2018 tour
2017 Tropical Fish[27] Solo Performer
Just You, Me and the Silence Wife/Journalist
My life in a coloured box Solo performer
TVET For Belgium embassy
2016 The Laramie Project Journalist/ Student /Lecturer
Ga-AD! Faith – Secretary
One Man, One Wife (Laba Fest)
2015 The body of a woman as a Battlefield in the Bosnian war Dorra and Kate
Betrayal in the City
Visions of Destiny
2013 MacbethLady Macbeth
2012 The River and the Mountain Pastor
2011 No Exit Estelle
2010 The cow needs a wife Blind JanatBBC African Performance Program

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SYNOPSIS. Blueimp. 9 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220429/http://blueimp.site/the-movie/synopsis/. 9 May 2018.
  2. Web site: Nanfuka: The world is her stage. Daily Monitor. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013454/http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Nanfuka--The-world-is-her-stage/691232-1702334-uuqiyuz/index.html. 9 May 2018.
  3. Web site: Rehema Nanfuka. Bluimp. 9 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509152416/http://blueimp.site/rehema-nanfuka/. 9 May 2018.
  4. Web site: AMAA 2010 Winners. Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170920225606/http://www.ama-awards.com/amaa-2010-winners.html. 20 September 2017.
  5. Web site: Teza takes top prize at Spain's Tarifa African Film Festival. Screen Daily. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012956/https://www.screendaily.com/teza-takes-top-prize-at-spains-tarifa-african-film-festival/5014532.article. 9 May 2018.
  6. Web site: 7th Tarifa African Film Festival Awards. Supple Magazine. 31 May 2010 . 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170924211344/http://www.supplemagazine.org/2010/05. 24 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Imani – Variety. Variety. 11 February 2010 . 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013206/http://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/imani-1117942154/. 9 May 2018.
  8. Web site: Imani – Film Review. Hollywood Reporter. 14 October 2010 . 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509075502/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/imani-film-review-29265. 9 May 2018.
  9. Web site: Uganda Film Festival Awards. New Vision. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013201/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1460998/uganda-film-festival-awards. 9 May 2018.
  10. Web site: Full cast: Uganda Film festival 2017 winners.. The Kampala Sun. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013012/http://kampalasun.co.ug/2017/09/02/full-cast-uganda-film-festival-2017-winners/. 9 May 2018.
  11. Web site: FULL LIST: 2017 Uganda Film Festival Award Winners. Chimplyf. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171105075206/http://chimplyf.com/2017/09/02/full-list-2017-uganda-film-festival-award-winners/. 5 November 2017.
  12. News: Veronica's Wish dominates Uganda Film Festival . 19 February 2019 . Uganda Film Festival.
  13. Web site: MacBeth: Tragedy for your delight. Daily Monitor. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013624/http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/MacBeth--Tragedy-for-your-delight/691232-1722606-s2ce0k/index.html. 9 May 2018.
  14. News: Shakespeare's grittiest comes to Kampala. 8 May 2018. The Observer. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013015/http://www.observer.ug/lifestyle/entertainment/24246-shakespeares-grittiest-comes-to-kampala. 9 May 2018.
  15. Web site: African Performance 2010: The winners. BBC. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110120100535/http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2010/07/100708_african_performance_2010_the_winners.shtml. 20 January 2011.
  16. Web site: Rehema Nanfuka. The Moth. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512144033/https://themoth.org/storytellers/rehema-nanfuka. 12 May 2018.
  17. Web site: Stories from Nairobi: Sandra Kimokoti, Rehema Nanfuka & Bina Maseno. The Moth. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512144033/https://themoth.org/podcast/stories-from-nairobi-sandra-kimokoti-rehema-nanfuka-bina-maseno. 12 May 2018.
  18. Web site: Open Mic launches fun missiles at corruption. The Observer. 9 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220845/http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28775&catid=73. 9 May 2018.
  19. Web site: The spoken word project at the gzkugcs. Goethe Gentrum Kampala. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013118/http://goethezentrumkampala.org/the-spoken-word-project-at-the-gzkugcs/. 9 May 2018.
  20. News: Bamuturaki. Musinguzi. Poets speak their minds in contest. 8 May 2018. The East African. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012810/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/434746-2017424-xv6j5xz/index.html. 9 May 2018.
  21. Web site: Airtel Internet is your friend.. Youtube. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512144033/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af3l9QT74Wo. 12 May 2018.
  22. Web site: AIRTEL MONEY Kuchova Loan TVC. Youtube. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512144033/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5GWjTNekBc. 12 May 2018.
  23. Web site: MilkMan TVC - Working Lady. Youtube. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512144033/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=652qdTUAt18. 12 May 2018.
  24. Web site: Belgian-Ugandan thriller 'Papi' to premiere Thursday. Sqoop. 13 February 2018 . 10 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511013026/http://www.sqoop.co.ug/201802/news/events/belgian-ugandan-thriller-papi-premiere-thursday.html. 11 May 2018.
  25. Web site: Bamuturaki . Musinguzi . Sara Shaarawi's play 'Niqabi Ninja' comes to Uganda . The East African . 6 July 2020 . 26 December 2021.
  26. Web site: Afroman Spice to celebrate African slay queens. Sqoop. 9 April 2018 . 10 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511013211/http://www.sqoop.co.ug/201804/four-one-one/afroman-spice-to-celebrate-african-slay-queens.html. 11 May 2018.
  27. Web site: Tropical Fish: Re-defining Woman's Sexuality. Kampala International Theatre Festival. 8 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512144033/https://kampalainternationaltheatrefestival.com/tropical-fish-re-defining-womans-sexuality/. 12 May 2018.