Have you ever heard of, or watched, the 2010 Ugandan film Who Killed Captain Alex? If you haven’t, you might want to stop reading here and check it out on YouTube. When the trailer came out it quickly became a sensation. The trailer helped it sell over 10,000 DVD copies in Uganda when those copies came out. Since then it’s available on YouTube for everyone to enjoy and has had close to 9 million views.

Who Killed Captain Alex? is a violent 70 minute film that unleashes an almost non-stop onslaught of gunfire. Along with that gunfire are explosions, and even exploding heads. It’s pure carnage that launched the career of director Nabwana I.G.G. Or at the very least, it got people talking about him. Documentary maker Cathryne Czubek takes a closer look at the making the film that cost under $200 to make, And she shows how a Ugandan brick maker managed to make it all happen.

Nabwana I.G.G., or Isaac as he is known in Once Upon A Time In Uganda is a writer, producer, director, camera operator, editor and more. In other words he does everything for the films he makes. What’s more astounding however is that he has no formal training, and works from the slums of Wakaliga, Uganda. He’s not only dedicated to his craft, but to the people of his community. Once Upon A Time In Uganda not only introduces you to the man inspired by the Sly Stallone and Chuck Norris movies of the 80s, but it also introduces you to his friend Alan Hofmanis.

Hofmanis found Isaac to be inspiring, and moved to Uganda to try and help the man expand his audience worldwide. He helps produce and distribute the films, with hopes of having festivals screen them. Hofmanis and Nabwana don’t necessarily agree on everything, and have more than a few spats (some of which we see in the film). But the two work well together and have a friendship they base  on respect. You also get a clear idea why Hofmanis uprooted his life to help an aspiring filmmaker find success.

Once Upon a Time in Uganda takes place over several years, and because of that it gives you a good sense of who Hofmanis and Nabwana are. You can clearly see what drives each man, and why they are inspirational. You also get a clear some of why movie-making is compulsive and addictive, especially if you enjoy what you are doing. Seeing how movies are made, especially low budget ones, can be invigorating for those trying to make their own art.

It’s hard to say if Nabwana will ever find success as a big action movie director. Some view his movies as nothing more than cheap fluff with no real quality behind them.  When watching his films it’s very apparent that he has no formal cinema training. Nonetheless, he has the commitment to making movies. He helped his community grow. And he takes care of the people around him. Czubek’s documentary brings you into their world. And she shows us firsthand the joy that he creates by bringing people together through cinema.