KOJJA: A Love Letter to Black Male Parenthood
In an era where representation and nuanced storytelling are at the forefront of cultural conversations, Kojja, the debut scripted short film from writer and director Derrick Kakembo, stands as a heartfelt ode to Black male parenthood. Nominated by the London Pan African Film Festival (LPAFF), this film delves deep into themes of identity, morality, and the unspoken challenges of raising Black boys in Britain.
Kojja (translation: Mother’s Brother), explores the dynamics of raising Black boys in Britain through the uncle-nephew relationship of Chisom and Ake. With adulthood approaching for Ake, Uncle Chisom aims to prepare him for societal pressures and expectations whilst grappling with his own choices and identity. When an untimely incident occurs, both Ake and Chisom are left questioning the state of morality; will this bring them closer together or push them further apart?
With nods to writer & director Kakembo's Ugandan heritage, the film takes its name “Kojja” from the Luganda language and heavily showcases the Ugandan diaspora in London for the first time. With themes of intersectionality, class and identity all serving as the backdrop, brotherhood takes center stage.
Starring West End child star Raphael Higgins-Humes (Motown, Lion King, The Voice Kids) as Ake, and introducing British-Ugandan actor Enoch Nsubuga as Chisom, the film is Kakembo’s first scripted narrative short film, with his past work focusing on experimental art and musical films.
“ “I hope this film will provoke conversations and create an emotional experience for viewers, and in the process offer an insight of inherited trauma and the mental state of mind of young Black men. To those that look like me, I hope it inspires reflection on how we form our identities. By the end, I want the viewer to decide if Chisom makes the right decisions.”
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Kakembo’s vision extends beyond the screen, as he seeks to provoke meaningful conversations about inherited trauma and the mental well-being of young Black men. “To those that look like me, I hope it inspires reflection on how we form our identities,” he shares. “By the end, I want the viewer to decide if Chisom makes the right decisions.”
‘Kojja’ is now available to watch exclusively on VERO.”
CREDITS
Cast
CHISOM: Enoch Nsubuga
JAMIE: Deenie Davis
MAN: Derrick Kakembo
MATHA: Pauline Nakirya
AKE: Raphael Higgins-Humes
NURSE: Rochelle Shanté
PASSERBY: Christina Welsh
LOUISE: Una Bryne
WOMAN 1: Connie Martin
WOMAN 2: Polly Green
Crew
1st AD: Azize Züfle
First AC: Jon Wetherell
Second AC: Callum Mills
DIT: Robert Macfarlane
Script Supervisor: Sophie Waltham
Sound Recordist/Mixer: Dave Sohanpal
Stunts Coordinator: Stefano Guerriero
Hair and Make Up Designer: Sadé-Amour Mirabal
Set Dresser & Wardrobe Assistant: Ugochi Nwabuikwu
Production Design: Andrian Powell
Unit Stills Photographer: Connor Diffley & Jada Ciarrocchi
Production
Location Manager: Nabs Ntege
Production Manager: Nacheal Catnott
Production Assistant: Jacqueline Otagburuagu
Production Assistant: Rorie Williams
Script Development
Development: Rochelle Thomas
Storyboard: BDE Studios
Luganda Script Translator: Matilda Sabano
Post-Production
Colour & Grade Studio: CHEAT
CHEAT Producer: Dom Strachan & Emily Davies
Casting: Reform The Funk
Creative
Word Mark Designer: Zish Alexander
Illustrator: Andre Horton
Retoucher: Sarah Rivers
Other
Catering: Natasha Catnott
Driver: Viola Nantambi
Runner: Lynelle Kisuule
Special Thanks to
VERO
RANKIN
CHEAT
Individual Thanks
Ayman Hariri
Jonathon Mckechnie
Tom Hodgson
David Allain
Abdigani Mohamoud
B. Young Stars
Lesley Smith
Navid Lancaster
Mariam Mugambwa
Ashley Thomas
Organizations
Royal Artillery Barracks
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Durkan Homes
Rendall and Rittner
