A24’s “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” to Debut on HBO Max This July 4

The Story⚡

We take a closer look at On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, a TIFF-selected title premiering July 4.

Tell Me More

Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rungano Nyoni, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is a 2024 black comedy-drama that blends biting satire with poignant family introspection. Featuring performances from Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela, and Henry B.J. Phiri, the film is an international co-production involving Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zambia.

The film follows the story of Shula, a young woman who unexpectedly discovers the lifeless body of her uncle on a deserted road in the dead of night. What begins as a moment of personal shock soon unravels into a layered family reckoning. As funeral preparations unfold, Shula and her cousins are forced to confront long-buried secrets, exposing the fragile facades of their middle-class Zambian household.

Following its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl continued its global festival journey—screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, the New York Film Festival on October 3, and making appearances at the BFI London Film Festival and the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival later in the year.

Now, the widely praised African film is set to reach an even broader audience as it makes its streaming debut on HBO Max this July 4, courtesy of A24.

In Summary

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl is a powerful reminder that African stories—when told with depth, clarity, and cultural authenticity—can travel far and resonate with audiences across the globe. As a Zambian-led project that has earned international acclaim and secured a streaming debut on HBO Max this July 4, the film is a strong signal to emerging African filmmakers that there are no boundaries to how far their work can go. The key lies in crafting stories that are locally grounded yet universally compelling.

With its bold storytelling and cultural depth, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl promises to leave a lasting impression as it makes its highly anticipated HBO Max debut this July 4.