Swiss-Kenyan filmmaker Damien Hauser premiered his new feature film, Memory of Princess Mumbi, at the Giornate Degli Autori, an independent section of the Venice Film Festival. This unique sci-fi romance mockumentary, set in a futuristic Africa, delves into themes of memory, the pursuit of happiness in a tragic world, and the significance of small moments. The film is scheduled to screen next at the Toronto International Film Festival, starting on September 8, 2023.
The narrative revolves around Kuve, portrayed by Abraham Joseph, an aspiring director who documents the Great War of the 2070s. This conflict led to the collapse of modern technology and the resurgence of ancient kingdoms. As Kuve travels to Umata, a village affected by the war, he anticipates despair but instead encounters a community that has found peace. There, he meets Mumbi, played by Shandra Apondi, who introduces him to the beauty in everyday life. A love triangle emerges with the character of a prince, played by Samson Waithaka, who is betrothed to Mumbi.
Hauser’s exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) in this film highlights its potential impact on the future of filmmaking. In an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, he discussed how he began incorporating AI into the project. “I was generating a lot of AI images just for fun and to see what is possible,” he explained. Initially random, he sought to connect these themes to the story, emphasizing that his aim was to create a film that AI could not replicate. “AI is always based on films that we already made and know,” he noted.
The director recognized the ongoing debate surrounding AI’s role in creativity. Some view it as a threat to artistic expression, while others consider it a valuable tool. Hauser aligns with the latter perspective, stating, “Right now, to me, it is very much a tool.” He highlighted his long history in filmmaking, which began at the age of seven, and mentioned how advancements in technology have made it increasingly accessible for filmmakers to create visual effects independently.
“I am scared when it comes to – I hope it doesn’t replace the whole thing,” he added. While acknowledging that AI may affect certain jobs, he believes that the essence of human creativity remains irreplaceable. “Even if AI creates the ‘perfect movie,’ once we see the perfect movie, we yearn for something else,” he explained, underscoring the human desire for novelty.
The editing process for Memory of Princess Mumbi was extensive, taking place over several months. Hauser began editing in February 2022, completing the post-production work just weeks ago. He described the intense two-month period where he focused on completing ten visual effects shots daily. The film’s documentary-style shooting resulted in over 44 hours of footage, allowing for significant creative freedom during editing. “I feel I really wrote the film in editing,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of shaping the story to maintain viewer engagement.
When asked if he had Afrofuturism or large-budget productions like Black Panther in mind while creating this film, Hauser clarified that his approach was not influenced by such frameworks. He stated, “I guess it is just an African sci-fi film. It is very much an experiment.” He acknowledged that mainstream sci-fi films typically cater to broad audiences due to financial investment, limiting experimentation.
Hauser expressed optimism about the future of cinema, particularly with the increasing accessibility of AI. He anticipates a positive shift in storytelling, allowing filmmakers from Africa to share unique narratives. “Once people are able to tell their own stories, there will be so many crazy stories, new stories, new perspectives,” he concluded.
As Memory of Princess Mumbi prepares for its next screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hauser’s innovative approach and exploration of AI in filmmaking may pave the way for a new era of storytelling in cinema.
