Memory of Princess Mumbi

In a future where wars have resurrected kingdoms and modern technology has vanished, a young filmmaker discovers that the greatest stories hide in unexpected moments. In 2093, Kuve travels to the remote village of Umata in a futuristic Africa to document the aftermath of the Great War. Where he expects despair, he instead finds a community that has embraced peace - and meets Mumbi, an aspiring actress who challenges him to make his film without artificial intelligence. Through her, Kuve relearns how to listen to silence, notice details, and rediscover the beauty of human existence. When a love triangle develops between Kuve, Mumbi, and Prince - the nobleman to whom Mumbi has been promised - sensitively portrayed by rising East African stars Ibrahim Joseph, Shandra Apondi, and Samson Waithaka - their journey takes an unexpected turn.

Told through Kuve’s rediscovered behind-the-scenes footage, the film unfolds as a hybrid of mockumentary, improvised drama, sci-fi romance, and AI-generated landscapes, where longing, emotions, and intimate observation blend with humor. Swiss-Kenyan filmmaker Damien Hauser (After the Long Rains, Blind Love) - who based the script on the lost youth of his younger brother - took on directing, editing, cinematography, design, costumes, and music, and even steps in front of the camera. With a small Kenyan crew, magical locations, and AI-enhanced sets, he creates a poetic, one-of-a-kind universe. The immersive cinematography, lush pastel sets, and versatile soundtrack - ranging from Maurice Ravel and Erik Satie to the Afropop of Mombasa Roots - imbue the film with a dreamy, timeless quality.

Memory of Princess Mumbi highlights how art and storytelling help us find beauty even in the darkest moments, while celebrating the power of human creativity in the face of AI’s limits. This digital marvel proves that great films can be made with a small, dedicated team, serving as both a love letter to cinema and a reflection on its future.