Uganda to launch Le Grand Jour film

An internationally acclaimed film, Le Grand Jour (The Big Day), is set to be launched to the Ugandan audience by Uganda's Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhukana Rugunda on Friday, March 4, 2016 at Century Cinemax, Acacia Mall in Kampala.

Le Grand Jour is directed by Pascal Plisson, a renowned French screenwriter and documentary filmmaker.

The film produced by Ms. Maria Tauzia, features a Ugandan actor, Mr. Tom Ssekabira.

Produced in French, but shown with English subtitles, Le Grand Jour is an inspiring and heart-warming story that was shot in several countries including Uganda.

The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Dr.Maria Mutagamba. Photo/Godiver Asege

The film is an educational masterpiece depicting how the youth can be a formidable force in developing their countries through conservation, sports and many other avenues available to them.

Le Grand Jour was initially launched in September 2015 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to an audience of over two thousand (2,000) viewers. The film has so far been shown in Japan, Spain, Cuba, USA and Italy.

The Ugandan launch is fully supported by Hon.Dr.Maria Mutagamba, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, and her team at the Uganda Tourism Board including the private sector , the Karmali Group, Knight Frank Uganda, Fairway Hotel, Brussels Airlines, Total E&P Uganda and the full commitment of the Uganda Embassy in France.

The film has already won an award and is being used as another tool to promote Uganda as a major tourist destination.

In the film, Ugandan actor Tom Ssekabira, 19, and other Ugandan youths prominently featured have a passion to preserve the flora and fauna.

Uganda's Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Ambassador Nimisha J Madhvani, is the main promoter of this film and is very excited about its prospects and showcasing globally Uganda's tourism, youth and cultural diversity, as well as that of other countries.

"As Ugandans, it is important to support this film to be shown everywhere in Uganda and the Globe. It is also a great tourism promotional material that should be used by all our missions abroad to brand and promote Uganda as the best tourist and investment destination in East Africa," said Ms.  Madhvani, who doubles also as Uganda's Ambassador to Spain, Portugal, UNESCO, and OECD & BIE.

Madhvani was instrumental in convincing the film director Mr.Plisson to include Uganda as part of the shoot locations, a move that didn't leave the latter disappointed. The film was made in the Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mweya Safari Lodge.

The UTB Chief Executive Director, Stephen Asiimwe, underscored the growing popularity of Uganda as a filming destination for international producers. Last year, Disney was in Uganda shooting the Queen of Katwe directed by Ms. Mire Nair.

"These movies are shot in our cities, national parks, in our neighborhoods, which eventually turns the cinema into a window on Uganda. It gives people around the world a glimpse of the Pearl of Africa," Asiimwe said. "The marketing value Uganda gains from such movies is way beyond any advert can ever achieve, "he added.

He added that such initiatives bring in income from the hire of equipment, accommodation, and use of other facilities. It also empowers locals through skills transfer something that stays with Ugandans opening up new employment opportunities.

France is fourth largest major source of high-spending tourists worldwide and this goes to show the importance of this film in promoting Uganda as a major tourist destination to the Europeans. The movie was done in partnership with Pathe Films and UNESCO.

The initial March 4th public showing of the Le Grand Jour at Acacia Mall is by invite only.

An open show will be possible at a later date.

We are holding a press conference at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities at 10 am on Wednesday,March 2, 2016 with Mr. Plisson jetting in courtesy of SN Brussels Airlines and the Uganda Actor Sekabira and the 19 actors and actresses.