Rungano Nyoni’s family satire, fresh off a global festival run, arrives on streaming this week.
Zambian-born filmmaker Rungano Nyoni’s latest feature, “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” will premiere on HBO Max this Thursday, July 4, marking the streaming debut of one of 2024’s most acclaimed African films.
A sharp blend of satire and drama, the black comedy stars Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela, and Henry B.J. Phiri. It follows Shula, a young woman who stumbles upon her uncle’s lifeless body on a deserted road. The shocking discovery sets off a chain of confrontations as her family prepares for his funeral, bringing long-suppressed truths to light and testing the fragile unity of their middle-class Zambian household.
Written and directed by Nyoni, the film is an international co-production between Zambia, Ireland, the UK, and the US. It premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section before traveling to other major festivals including Toronto, New York, London, and Mumbai.
Now backed by A24, “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” brings its global momentum to wider audiences on HBO Max.