Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine on his newest directorial effort "Memories of Love Returned"
Popular actor Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine recently released his latest directorial project, *Memories of Love Returned*, which reveals the extraordinary life and work of Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo. Ssalongo is a Ugandan photographer who quietly documented the essence of his community for over five decades. The multi-talented Mr. Mwine took time out of his busy schedule to chat with Reviews & Dunn.
Reviews & Dunn - What can you tell us about your new project, Memories of Love Returned?
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine - It is the most intimate and personal work I have ever done. The film is not just about romantic love, but also the love between family members, between generations, and the love one has for a homeland or culture.
R&D - You've been working on Memories of Love Returned for close to two decades. What was your process during the pandemic?
NGMM - I mounted the outdoor exhibit of Kibaate’s photography at the height of the Omicron and Delta waves of the pandemic in December 2021. So, every day it was a question of whether the whole project would be shut down due to illness. We gave out masks to visitors who attended the exhibit and just hoped and prayed for the best.
R&D - What is the one thing you hope audiences take away from the film?
NGMM - To treasure memories of love that are captured on camera and to do everything in your power to preserve them.
R&D - Did you ever flirt with another title?
NGMM - Yes. These were the other titles I considered. Kibaate: An Intimate Portrait, Kibaate: Intimacy Returned, Kibaate: Returning Love, Kibaate: Run and See Your People and Kibaate: I Came to See My People But when I took a survey from a wide swath of people, Memories of Love Returned was the winner. Run and See your People and I Came to See My People were the runners up.
R&D - How hard was the editing process for your final cut?
NGMM - The bulk of the editing was completed during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike of 2023. It was a really difficult time as an actor on the picket lines. But at the same it gave me time to focus on the editing process in a way that I had not been able to do up till then.
R&D -While the doc is a work of art, has the idea of a traditional narrative crossed your mind?
NGMM - Yes, there are so many possibilities to explore. I would love to create a narrative feature film on Kibaate’s life and work with me playing the role of Kibaate.
R&D When did you realize that you wanted to become an actor?
NGMM - 2nd grade when I auditioned for the role of Peter Pan in a school play. I didn’t get the part.
R&D - You have an additional passion for photography. As the world moves towards AI, what advice would you offer to aspiring photographers?
NGMM - The biggest challenge I think aspiring photographers and seasoned photographers face is how to store and preserve their work, which I don’t have the answer to.
R&D -Way back in 1992, you played the role of Paul in the popular play *Six Degrees of Separation*. How did you prepare for that role?
NGMM - That was my first professional job straight out of the NYU Grad Acting program. So, I went extra hard with the exuberance of a first-time hire. It was a blast. I remember hand-writing my lines out on legal pads of paper and taping them up onto the walls of my apartment to help me learn my lines as I walked around.
R&D - The first time I can recall seeing you on screen was in an episode of *New York Undercover*, which was known for showcasing Hip Hop and R&B acts. Are you a fan of nineties Hip Hop and R&B?
NGMM - I was more into Dancehall Reggae at the time. But Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Digable Planets, Run DMC, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock were also heavy on replay.
R&D - Your character, Ronnie, was a personal favorite on *The Chi*, and I was heartbroken when he died. Was it always planned for your character to die?
NGMM - In the pilot episode, Ronnie killed a young boy named Coogie who was beloved by everyone. I knew from that moment on that Ronnie’s days were numbered.
R&D -You also played a popular character on *The Lincoln Lawyer*. Prior to being cast in the show, were you a fan of the novel series?
NGMM - I was fortunate enough to have a small recurring role on Bosch, which was my first window into Michael Connelly’s prolific body of work.
R&D - Is there anything else you would like to add, and where can fans find you on social media?
NGMM - I will be putting my acting hat back on starring in two new highly anticipated series, which are both due out this summer Paramount +/Showtime’s Dexter: Resurrection and Apple TV’s Firebug.
I’m on Instagram @Bewareoftime and on Facebook as Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine