A24 launched the U.S. theatrical released of Rungano Nyoni’s sophomore feature “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” on March 7, 2025. Check your local listings.
When I first interviewed Rungano Nyoni ahead of the U.S. premiere of her debut feature “I Am Not a Witch” in 2018, she was just coming into her own as a director with international recognition, talking about her admiration for filmmakers who dictate their own terms. Now, years later, she’s still fighting for that autonomy—but from a somewhat different position of power.
Now, in 2025, many years later, ahead of the U.S. release of her sophomore effort, the Cannes 2024 winning “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” the conversation felt more like catching up with an old friend, while also getting to know someone I hadn’t been introduced to prior in Susan Chardy, the star of the film, than a structured interview. At one point, the actress noted that she felt particularly at ease in this space—something about the way the conversation flowed made her feel comfortable enough to be expressive.
And I humbly take credit for that!
During our extended chat, we explored silence, tradition, and the themes of “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” zeroing in on how cultural expectations enforce silence and how the film challenges that. We also touched on Nyoni’s evolving filmmaking approach, Chardy’s breakout role, the challenges of making and distributing Zambian cinema internationally, and Nyoni’s next project—a sci-fi film set in Botswana.
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Here’s the trailer for the film: