A24 Boards Rungano Nyoni’s Cannes Entry ‘On Becoming a Guinea Fowl’ (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comAlex Ritman “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” the second feature from Zambian-Welsh writer-director Rungano Nyoni, has been picked up by A24 for international sales ahead of its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival next month.
The film, which marks Nyoni’s follow-up to her acclaimed 2017 feature debut “I Am Not a Witch,” was also financed by A24 alongside BBC Film and Fremantle, while it was developed by BBC Film and Element Pictures.
It will bow in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard sidebar competition. While the plot has been kept under wraps, in his lineup announcement Cannes director Thierry Fremaux said the film was a “family drama” set in Africa and also a “comedy,” describing it as “very strong.” “I Am Not a Witch,” which first landed in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, marked Nyoni as a filmmaker with a unique voice and one to watch.
A darkly comic story of a young African girl who local villagers believe to be a witch — inspired by genuine witchcraft accusations in Zambia — the feature became a festival favorite and went on to win the BAFTA for outstanding debut by by British writer, director or producer, alongside 10 nominations and three wins at the British Independent Film Awards.
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