Festival of films

Jun 04, 2012

CREATING France at a corner in Kampala at the residence of the ambassador in Nakasero was no doubt a brilliant idea by the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise.

By Emmanuel Ssejjengo
CREATING France at a corner in Kampala at the residence of the ambassador in Nakasero was no doubt a brilliant idea by the French Embassy and Alliance Francaise.

They rolled out a red carpet, sent out invitations to ‘those who matter’ and enjoyed a cocktail where the proper holding of a wine glass was as important as the drinking.

Guests took a little time off for photoshoot while on the red carpet. It is what happens in France every year during the Cannes Film Festival; the most regaled celebration of film in the world.

The red carpet doubles as a fashion show. There were two gomesis, but not a single kanzu. Just goes to show how bold women can be in matters of fashion.

And then the journalists who assumed that just because they hold Identity Cards, they would stroll in. Their attempts to throw in some French words fell on deaf ears.

At Cannes in France, celebrated journalists and film stars have been man-handled off the red carpet. And what happens in Uganda?

“Tell those guys who do not know people to get away from the entrance,” a French-speaking journalist complained. But hey, there were moments that still reminded you that you are in Uganda.

And thanks to UMEME who switched off power, the ambassadors “rediscovered” that they were at another home, away from home.

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