"Princess Mumbi's Memories" delve into the elegance of everyday instances, mourning, and artificial intelligence, with special sneak peeks (Exclusive Footage)

In the heart of Italy, the 2025 Venice Film Festival will welcome a unique and captivating film from Swiss-Kenyan filmmaker Damien Hauser. The film, titled Memory of Princess Mumbi, is an improvised sci-fi romance mockumentary set in Kenya in the year 2094.

The story revolves around an aspiring director named Kuve (Abraham Joseph), who is filming a documentary on a war that erased modern technology and revived kingdoms. Kuve discovers a village that has found peace and meets Mumbi (Shandra Apondi), who shows him the beauty in everyday moments.

Swiss Films and the Red Sea Film Fund have supported the production of this intriguing film. Kaleem Aftab and Shandra Apondi are co-producers for the movie, while Damien Hauser takes on the roles of both director and co-producer.

Memory of Princess Mumbi will world premiere in Venice's Venice Days on Sept. 1. The film will also screen in Toronto's Centerpiece program. The movie explores themes such as finding meaning in a tragic world, loss, and memory. It unfolds through Kuve's old behind-the-scenes footage, capturing how people find meaning in a tragic world and how even the smallest moments can hold profound beauty.

The film also delves into the realm of artificial intelligence, questioning its role in filmmaking. A second clip from the movie features a discussion on the use of AI in editing the documentary Kuve is working on. Mumbi questions whether the film is about AI or about people.

The international rights for Memory of Princess Mumbi are typically held by the producer or the production company that produced the film. In this case, Paradise City Sales is handling these rights.

The movie features an ensemble cast, including Samson Waithaka, who plays a prince who promised to marry Mumbi, creating a love triangle. The film was shot in Kenya with a Kenyan crew, making it a truly homegrown production.

Memory of Princess Mumbi marks a significant milestone as the first-ever Kenyan feature to celebrate its premiere in the independent parallel section of the Venice festival. With its blend of science fiction, romance, and introspection, this film promises to be a standout at the festival.