Grassroots Cinema Movement in Mundri
In Western Equatoria’s quiet town of Mundri, young members of the YMCA have swapped idle hours for camera hours. Their community film project tackles poverty, drug abuse, gender violence and corruption through relatable stories framed in comedy and drama.
Funding Creativity Through Self-Reliance
Branch manager Emiru Emmanuel says the team finances lights, props and transport with pocket change gathered after school and chores. “Developing our talents is better than waiting for white-collar jobs,” he notes, arguing that teamwork itself is a lesson in self-employment.
Despite South Sudan’s fragile economy, no external donor funds the venture. The youths see every shilling invested as proof that determination can outpace scarcity, a narrative as compelling off screen as it is in their scripts.
Addressing Trauma and Substance Abuse On Screen
Short sketches depict unemployment, post-war trauma and the lure of cheap drugs. Emmanuel argues that laughter lowers defenses, allowing messages about mental health and non-violence to land without sounding like lectures.
Civil Society Applauds the Lens of Peace
Activist Odetta Miwai hails the films as ‘a peaceful town hall on screen.’ She urges development partners to add training and grants, saying the project exemplifies youth leadership rooted in creativity rather than confrontation.
She cautions that similar initiatives across Western Equatoria can deter the small-arms culture by offering microphones, guitars and cameras instead. ‘Art changes the conversation from fear to possibilities,’ she observes.
Ripple Effect Across Western Equatoria
From Yambio’s Vision Live Band to COPAD Youth Initiative, a regional arts wave is swelling. Each group, including Mundri’s filmmakers, trades confrontation for chords, choreography and cinema, fostering unity that traditional politics sometimes struggles to deliver.
Next Release Carries a Simple Message
As editing wraps on their next short, the crew keeps its mantra visible on set: ‘Unity, Creativity, Action.’ Emmanuel insists the slogan is less branding and more blueprint: community revival begins the moment young people refuse to wait for outsiders.
He adds that any proceeds from film sales will fund sports, literacy and counseling programs, weaving culture into wider social services for Mundri’s youth.