Tusamehe (2005)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Josiah Kibira

Writer:

Josiah Kibira (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

"Tusamehe makosa yetu, kama sisi tunavyowasamehe waliotukosea" (Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us)

Plot:

Tusamehe is a tale of morals and awareness. It's the story of a successful African immigrant in the...

Plot Keywords:

Arusi | Pregnancy | Bukoba | Childbirth | Hiv AIDS Counseling

Cast

Fundi Kibwana	...	Bilantanya Moses Bakeyemba
Blandina Donald	...	Salome Kizito
Emma Kasiga	...	Yuni
Robert Kataraia	...	Kipara
Peter Omari	...	Rev. Makengele
Chemi Che-Mponda	...	Mama Kurusumu
Hassan Omari	...	The Secretary General
LuAnn Kibira	...	Bilantanya's Doctor
Onesmo Kibira	...	Dennis
Mike Wooten	...	Salome's Doctor
KariAnn Craig	...	Cindy
Andrea Jackson	...	Bilantanya's Secretary
Christina Sedlacek	...	Nurse Gena
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Maisara Abebe	...	Helga
Ben Allen	...	Drug Company CEO
Paris Cannedey	...	Girl in Office #2
Aaron Cross	...	Assisting Doctor
Ombeni Goss	...	Salome's Baby
Shari Goss	...	Mourner
Rob Hart	...	Reporter #1
Angela Hettenbach	...	Mourner
Alissa Holmes	...	Mourner
Brian Holmes	...	Bilantanya's Boss
Edmund L. Ijumba	...	Radio DJ "Da Voice"
Prasanna Jadaprolu	...	Mourner
Prashanth Jadaprolu	...	Mourner
Rev. Ron Johnson	...	Father Johnson
Karen Green Jung	...	Nurse
Tom Jung	...	Doctor
Annette Kaduri	...	Wedding Guest
Abela Kataraiya	...	Wedding Guest
Johannes Kataraiya	...	Wedding Guest
Kari J. Krankkala	...	Nurse
Hannah Kritzeck	...	Flower Girl
Jackie Kritzeck	...	Organist / Bartender
Hannah Krtizeck	...	Flower Girl
Nathan Lassen	...	Reporter #2
Ashiseta Lema	...	Bridesmaid
Maria Lidstone	...	Nurse
Benjamin Michael	...	Mourner
Mukama Morandi	...	Restaurant Guest
Katie Morgan	...	Nurse
Richelle Morgan	...	Nurse
Sharon Morgan	...	Nurse
Matt David Nungesser	...	Mourner
Mary Olson	...	Drug Company Employee
Matt Olson	...	Reporter #4
Roger Olson	...	Drug Company Employee
Lameck K. Omariba	...	Reporter #3
Michelle Schaefer	...	Nurse
Attelia Scott	...	Restaurant Guest
Roberta Sing	...	Mourner
Sean Sisler	...	Hospital Patient
Alyssa Thibedeau	...	Mourner
Erick Vedasto	...	Wedding Guest
Evelyn Vedasto	...	Bridesmaid
Diane Vorolson	...	Mourner
Gina Williams	...	Girl in Office #1

Runtime:

USA:108 min

Country:

USA | Tanzania

Language:

English | Swahili

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Bukoba, Tanzania

Company:

Kibira Films

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Josiah Kibira]in the scene with the Secretary General.

An African Immigrant learns that you reap what you sow, even in America.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Tusamehe in Swahili means 'forgive us'. After seeing Tusamehe it's clear that people need forgiveness for many things. This film is not only a tale of morals and awareness but takes an interesting look at the AIDS crisis. Viewers will see that not only is HIV/AIDS a problem in Africa but amongst African immigrants in the USA as well. The film is a slap in the face wake up call to viewers that HIV/AIDS is real and it does not discriminate.

Bilantanya Moses Bakeyemba (played by Fundi Kibwana) is an immigrant from Bongoland (no secret it's Tanzania) living the American Dream in Minnesota. He has a successful, well paying job, owns a house and two cars and is married to a beautiful woman, Salome, (played by Blandina Donald) from his homeland. We find out that before he got married he had an American girlfriend (played by KariAnn Craig), who is jealous of his marriage to the "African Queen". She does everything she can to rekindle the relationship and Bilantanya soon falls. Salome finds out and chaos ensues.

But, life goes on for the married couple and Salome tells Bilantanya that she is pregnant. He is even happier when he finds out that the child is a boy. Joy turns to grief when after a pre-natal check-up Salome finds out that she is HIV positive and the baby is at risk of being sick as well. Bilantanya soon falls desperately ill. Knowing that he is dying, Bilantanya begs for forgiveness from God and at the same time prays to live long enough to see his son. While this is going on a Pharmaceutical Boss seeks religious counseling after he becomes overridden with guilt for not supplying cheaper drugs to Africa and doing more to help the AIDS crisis. Just when you think nothing worse can happen to the couple, Bilantanya dies and that's not the end of the story.

The film has sad and funny moments but the ending of it is very climatic. Another love Triangle is unveiled. The cleverly crafted plot takes interesting turns as we find out that no one is really who they seem to be, not even the Pastor (played by Peter Omari).

Many Tanzanians will feel that they are looking in the mirror as Kibira captures the negative culture of gossiping, promiscuity, drinking, and risk taking. Hopefully viewers will take a look at themselves and change their ways or realize the effects of their actions.

Director, Screenwriter and Producer, Josiah Kibira used actors from Tanzania based in Minnesota for this film, along with a pool of Minnesota actors. They all do an excellent job. Christina Sedlacek also gives a touching performance as a caring visiting nurse and Robert Kataraia does a great job playing Kipara, Bilantanya's best friend.

Tusamehe is Kibira's second feature film, the first was Bongoland. I look forward to see many more.