ADAM SCHEFFLER
Charlie Chaplin passed away nearly fifty years ago, with his heyday as an artist, filmmaker, and music composer occurring a century ago. Nevertheless, he remains an enduring icon. Even today, he is widely recognized as a lovable vagabond who embarks on humorous and heartwarming adventures. The undisputed king of slapstick comedy.
His legacy, brilliance, and timeless message have encircled the globe countless times. He continues to have numerous admirers to this day. Recently, I encountered one of them... in Uganda.
MEET FREDDIE MULINDUA
Residing in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, Freddie embarked on his slapstick filmmaking journey in 2017. He devotes all his time to the small room his mother graciously provided for his creative pursuits. This space now serves as his studio, office, and portal to the world. It is through this window that he shares his story with me. A fascinating individual, much like his films. Picture Charlie Chaplin as an African vagabond. Such a unique character is impossible to overlook.
I rise at 8:00 am and confine myself to my room. I only emerge for meals and return by 6:00 pm for acrobatics and fitness training. During my childhood, I was a humble boy - Freddie recounts - I spent my days sketching and drawing, always brimming with creativity. I had a deep affection for cartoons and comedic films! One day, my older brother, who frequented local bars to watch the Premier League, caught a screening of The Kid before a match. Upon returning, he excitedly described a hilarious black-and-white film featuring a funny man named Charlie Chaplin. Months later, I visited a film enthusiast friend who owned a DVD of Chaplin`s movie titled Pay Day. We watched it together, and I was captivated by Chaplin's agility and comedic antics! The next day, I donned my father's old shorts and coat, emulating Charlie's attire. Upon seeing my reflection in the mirror, I transformed into the Chaplin of Uganda.
Freddie quickly assembled a team as wild as he was. They began creating short films in 2021 but kept them under wraps. Freddie persuaded his friends that they needed to hone their skills and produce a few films before venturing into the film industry. And so it went on for three years. Several team members fell apart, unwilling to wait any longer.
I had hoped to reach Uganda's top three TV stations with our work. But I hit a dead end. I eventually realized that waiting for TV executives to take notice was futile. I decided to showcase my work on YouTube instead.
Like Chaplin, Freddie has a mission beyond filmmaking. He aims to inspire young people in his community and similar places worldwide, particularly in Africa, where unemployment rates can reach 75%. This often leads to crime and despair. Freddie wants to offer hope to young people and demonstrate that they can achieve their dreams, even in challenging circumstances.
We aim to share our culture and traditions with the world, recognizing the potential in the unknown. We want to establish theaters where young people can display their talents. We want to visit schools and screen our films for free, bringing laughter, self-belief and hope to children.
What an amazing team. Charlie Chaplin once said that laughter is the tonic, the relief, the cure for pain. Today, Uganda's own Chaplin echoes and embodies the same sentiment. Freddie brings joy to people.
Watch films by Freddie Mulindua and his crew: