On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Movie Details:
| Country | Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia |
| Language | English, Bemba |
| Genres | Comedy, Drama |
| Release date | May 16, 2024 (Cannes) December 6, 2024 (United Kingdom and Ireland) March 7, 2025 (United States) |
| Running time | 1hr 39min |
| Age rating | PG-13 |
| Starring | Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela, Henry B.J. Phiri |
| Directed by | Rungano Nyoni |
| Written by | Rungano Nyoni |
| Produced by | Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Tim Cole |
| Cinematography by | David Gallego |
| Edited by | Nathan Nugent |
| Music by | Lucrecia Dalt |
| Casting by | Isabella Odoffin |
| Production Design by | Malin Lindholm |
| Art Direction by | Victoria Richards |
| Set Decoration by | Chelangat Lebo |
| Costume Design by | Estelle Don Banda |
| Production Company | Element Pictures A24 Fremantle BBC Film |
| Distributor | Picturehouse Entertainment (United Kingdom and Ireland) A24 (United States) |
Trailer, Teaser & Video:
Poster & Photos:
Cast & Characters:
- Susan Chardy as Shula
- Elizabeth Chisela as Nsansa
- Henry B.J. Phiri as Shula’s Father
- Roy Chisha as Uncle Fred
- Blessings Bhamjee as Young Shula
- Chungu Bwalya as Farm Club Presenter #1
- Maggie Mulubwa as Farm Club Presenter #2
- Benson Mumba as Joseph
- Doris Naulapwa as Shula’s Mother
- Mary Mulabo as Beatrice
- Norah Mwansa as Widow / Chichi
- Hildah Mwanza as Matron #1
- Febby Lungu as Matron #2
- Gillian Sakala as Aunty Ruth
- Carol Natasha Mwale as Aunty Catherine
- Loveness Nakwiza as Aunty Linda
- Bwalya Chipampata as Aunty Bukata
- Faustina Tembo as Gossiping Woman #1
- Justina Mudenda as Gossiping Woman #2
- Esther Yobe as Musonda
- Sombo Kapole as Mapalo
- Stella Njolomba as Aunty Sampa
- Benson Mshanga as Coal Man
- Aaron Sakala as Boarding House Security Guard
- Cathy Mazambani as Female Student #1
- Esther Singini as Bupe
- Mwaale Chendende as Farm Club Kid
- Fred Mumba as Print Shop Owner
- Dinah Kayumba as Aunty #1
- Edwidge Lunkoto as Aunty #2
- Andrew Simutinta as Young Man #1
- Brian Muleya as Young Man #2
- Ethel Banda as Female Student
- Ezekiel Banda as Uncle Enoch
- Salati Phiri as Uncle Lucky
- Geliate Mwale as Uncle Gabriel
- Grace Phiri as Widow’s Friend
- Margaret Khonje as Ba Doreen
- Gracious Kalema as Subi
- Patience Kalema as Chiko
- Samuel Tembo as Jonas
- Malita Mulenga as Widow’s Grandmother
- Travers Merrill as Farm Club Storyteller
- Elizabeth Mubita as Praying Woman #1
- Dinah Mbao as Praying Woman #2
- Royce Mutentwa Habeenzu as Widow’s Aunty #1
- Queen Chimimba as Aunty Stella
- Victor Phiri as Uncle Vincent
- Henry Kapinga as Uncle David
- Johnny Mulenga as Uncle John
- Mark Mbewe as Widow’s Uncle
- Agatha Mweemba as Aunty Mayo
- Agness Phiri as Widow’s Aunty #2
Storyline:
On an empty road in the middle of the night, Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin around them, she and her cousins bring to light the buried secrets of their middle-class Zambian family.
About On Becoming a Guinea Fowl Movie:
The film is written & directed by Rungano Nyoni and developed by BBC Film and Element Pictures. Financing came from A24 alongside BBC Film and Fremantle. David Gallego is the cinematographer on the project, and Malin Lindholm is the production designer. Producers include Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures. Production was reported to have begun in October 2022.
It stars Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela and Henry B.J. Phiri.
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl Release Date:
The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on May 16, 2024. It also screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2024, the 2024 New York Film Festival on October 3, 2024, the BFI London Film Festival, and the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024.
It was originally scheduled to be released by A24 in the United States on December 13, 2024, but was delayed to March 7, 2025. In October 2024, it was announced that Picturehouse Entertainment had acquired UK and Irish distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a release on December 6, 2024.
Budget & Box Office Collection:
| Budget | N/A |
| Opening Day | TBA |
| Domestic Collection | TBA |
| International Collection | TBA |
| Worldwide Collection | $70,546 |