Bobi Wine: The People's President

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Bobi Wine: The People's President

PG-13

2023

1h 54m

Documentary

Biography

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42 Reviews

83%

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50+ Ratings

This gripping documentary charts the inspiring activism of Bobi Wine, the pop star-turned-politician seeking to end Uganda's brutal dictatorship. Rising from the ghetto slums of Kampala to be one of the country's most beloved superstars, Bobi begins to use his music to call out corruption, then becomes an Independent Member of Parliament to defend the rights of his people. The country's institutions are controlled by President Museveni, an autocratic tyrant who has held power since 1986. Bobi and his wife Barbie choose to risk their careers, their family, and their lives to challenge him and bring democracy to their country. But the state is determined to silence not only them, but anyone who supports their cause.

Critics Consensus

Sobering and enlightening, this politically charged documentary takes a captivating look at the life of Bobi Wine: The People's President and his fight for democracy.

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Linda Holmes

NPR

02/29/2024

Bobi Wine is well worth a watch for anyone, but particularly for people who are thinking about what guardrails prevent their own governments from winding up in the same situation.

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Laura Babiak

Observer

02/16/2024

3/4

The Oscar-nominated documentary shows the violence of Uganda's 35-year political regime, but, more importantly, it tells the story of the politician who's come closest to ending it.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

09/03/2023

4/5

It’s a gripping piece of film-making: a propulsive, kinetic account of a grassroots campaign captured at what would seem to be considerable personal risk to both the subject and directors.

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Patrick McDonald

HollywoodChicago.com

03/18/2024

5/5

What struck me is how little I know about international dictatorships. The lessons of Uganda are the lessons our country needs, but the main focus is on the courage of Bobi … it’s as if Dr. King was also a famous singer. People power can save us all!

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Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

03/12/2024

The closeness, viscerality, urgency, and power of the documentary allow us to understand first-hand the degree of corruption and deep disintegration of the Ugandan political system. [Full review in Spanish]

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

03/09/2024

This illuminating documentary is more than just an intimate look at singer Bobi Wine's political activism, including his campaign to be elected president of Uganda in 2021. It's also about a fight for democracy and resistance to political oppression.

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Jo

08/06/2023

Thought it was more Documentary than a movie, it was interesting, action-packed, informative, dramatic, and thought -provoking.

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Eye C

@ECinc 03/10/2024

A frustrating story, but I can't stop thinking that all started as a reality show for a pop star and then all went to hell and then became a documentary… but who knows…

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Dean E

@RT73719767 02/24/2024

Enlightening and depressing at once, this is the story of Uganda's biggest pop star who joins congress and then runs for President against their 30+ year dictator. He suffers exactly the type of treatment you would expect: beatings, torture, threats, arrests, and attempts on his life. It's a good warning for people who live in countries that are bordering on electing a dictator-wannabe; this is where you are headed.

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Vitoria F

@RT33537504 02/14/2024

A good documentary to learn more about current affairs in Uganda and the corruption that can be caused by power.

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Megan e

@RT58906942 02/09/2024

Really well-done documentary! Bobi and Barbie Wine are incredibly brave! I appreciated learning about Uganda. Worth watching! 4 stars

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gail h

@RT49400155 08/14/2023

Amazing story. Must see.

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Christopher Sharp

Director

Moses Bwayo

Director

Bobi Wine

Self

Barbie Kyagulanyi

Self

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu

Self

Christopher Sharp

Producer

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Synopsis

This gripping documentary charts the inspiring activism of Bobi Wine, the pop star-turned-politician seeking to end Uganda's brutal dictatorship. Rising from the ghetto slums of Kampala to be one of the country's most beloved superstars, Bobi begins to use his music to call out corruption, then becomes an Independent Member of Parliament to defend the rights of his people. The country's institutions are controlled by President Museveni, an autocratic tyrant who has held power since 1986. Bobi and his wife Barbie choose to risk their careers, their family, and their lives to challenge him and bring democracy to their country. But the state is determined to silence not only them, but anyone who supports their cause.

Director: Christopher Sharp, Moses Bwayo
Producer: Christopher Sharp, John Battsek
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Production Co: Ventureland, Southern Films, Bleat Post Production
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Strong Violent Content|Bloody Images)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 28, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.0K
Runtime: 1h 54m