Made in 2010 with an estimated budget of $200, the film is often misunderstood — written off as a viral meme or a joke. But to call it that is to miss what makes Who Killed Captain Alex a work of art. It is not a meme. It is cinema under pressure — created with spirit, struggle, and staggering inventiveness.
VJ Emmie and the Power of Oral Film Culture
One of the most distinctive features of Who Killed Captain Alex is the narration by VJ Emmie, a "Video Joker" whose live commentary offers humor, translation, and cultural framing. To Western audiences, it might seem strange. But in Uganda, VJs are part of a long oral tradition — serving as bridges between films and their audiences.
VJ Emmie doesn’t distract from the film — he enhances it. He transforms viewing into a shared cultural experience. His voice is not a meme — it’s a chorus, part storyteller, part griot. His presence reminds us that cinema isn’t always silent, dark, and distant. Sometimes, it’s loud, present, and communal.
