Rungano Nyoni directs the forthcoming black comedy, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, which made its debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May earlier this year. Boasting an impressive ensemble cast, this film represents a unique collaboration between Ireland, Zambia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, resulting in a captivating cultural blend.
Nyoni, a Zambian-Welsh film director and screenwriter, boasts an impressive portfolio, having helmed critically acclaimed titles such as Homemade, I Am Not a Witch, Listen, Nordic Factory, and Mwansa the Great. Her work has garnered numerous accolades, and she is now set to unveil her next major project, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl. Here’s everything you need to know about this highly anticipated movie.
What is the Plot of On Becoming a Guinea Fowl?
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl centers around a young woman named Shula, who stumbles across the dead body of her uncle one night as she drives across an empty road.
She quickly alerts her family about his death and thus begins the mourning process, during which buried family secrets come to life. You can catch a glimpse of the same in the official trailer released by A24.
The Cast of On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Much like other aspects of On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, the cast is also impressive, and taking the lead is Susan Chardy, who plays the complex character of Shula. Chardy is a successful Zambian-English philanthropist, model, and entrepreneur, and playing Shula will be her movie debut, making it all the more exciting.
Chardy will be joined by supporting cast members like Elizabeth Chisela (Pa Maliketi), Henry B.J. Phiri (I Am Not a Witch, Black Dollar), Roy Chisha, and Blessings Bhamjee. The cast of On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is relatively fresh and expertly handpicked by Nyoni!
When and Where Can You Watch On Becoming a Guinea Fowl?
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl will be released in Ireland and the United Kingdom on December 6, 2024, courtesy of Picturehouse Entertainment. As for the United States, the movie will be released on March 7, 2025, by A24.
What happened that day? On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, a surreal and vibrant new film about the lies we tell ourselves from award-winning filmmaker Rungano Nyoni. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/7cF5ogsS4y
— A24 (@A24) November 14, 2024
While the release dates are relatively far apart, we do recommend adding them to your calendar based on your location.
Conclusion
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl promises to be a refreshingly unique and captivating addition to the black comedy genre, bringing a breath of fresh air to world cinema. If you haven’t already added Nyoni’s upcoming movie to your list, we highly recommend doing so right away!