Can You See Us?

Can You See Us?
Can You See Us?
Directed by	Kenny Mumba
Written by	John Chiti (Co-Writer and Author of the Storyline); Andrew Thompson; Lawrence Thompson;
Produced by	Yasmin Dodia; Lawrence Thompson;
Starring	Thabo Kaamba; George Sikazwe; Ruth Jule; Kangwa Chileshe; Kondwani Elliot Zulu;
Cinematography	Chosa Mweemba; Daliso Nyirenda; Brendan Wasserman;
Edited by	Nathan Busumani; Leon Gerber;
Music by	Sam Nyambe; Magnus Mando;
Distributed by	Netflix
Release date	October 26, 2022;
Running time	109 minutes
Country	Zambia
Languages	English; Chichewa;

Can You See Us? is a 2022 Zambian based on the life of the professional Zambian musician, John Chiti. It was directed by Kenny Mumba and loosely fictionalised by Andrew Thompson and Lawrence Thompson.

The film is loosely based on the life of the John Chiti, a singer-songwriter born with albinism who acted as co-writer to the movie. It premiered on Netflix on 27 August 2023, becoming the first Zambian film to be released on the platform.^[1]^[2]

Harry Graham, Producer at BBC mentions, "Growing up with albinism, Zambian singer John Chiti faced a lot of stigma. As a boy, he was bullied, and as an adult he faced barriers to his music career. Eventually, he released his music for radio only, hiding his face. Once his music was a hit, and nobody could deny his talent, he went on television to reveal his identity."^[3]

Synopsis

A boy whose father rejected at birth because he was born with albinism navigates a childhood of tragedy, persecution, teasing and bullying yet remains cautiously optimistic.

Cast

Thabo Kaamba as Young Joseph
George Sikazwe as Older Joseph
Ruth Jule as Chama
Chileleko T. Kalusa as Baby Joseph
Kondwani Elliot Zulu as Martin
Kristin Owen as Neighbor
Didi Mercy Sakala as Nurse
Dinga'tse Sendama as Teacher
Fransisca Muchangwe (Francisca M. Muchangwe) as Jennifer
Robert Nyirenda as Mad Man

References

^ Joshua Jere (August 31, 2023). ""Can You See Us" Gets Global Attention". Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
^ Kathy Short (September 10, 2023). "Zambian Film Focuses on Hardships Faced by Boy With Albinism". Voice Of Africa. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
^ Mobeen Azhar (August 28, 2024). "It was a shock - they'd never seen a person with albinism in the limelight". BBC Outlook. Retrieved August 28, 2024.

[1] Joshua Jere (August 31, 2023). ""Can You See Us" Gets Global Attention". Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 7, 2023.

[2] Kathy Short (September 10, 2023). "Zambian Film Focuses on Hardships Faced by Boy With Albinism". Voice Of Africa. Retrieved October 7, 2023.

[3] Mobeen Azhar (August 28, 2024). "It was a shock - they'd never seen a person with albinism in the limelight". BBC Outlook. Retrieved August 28, 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]