A rediscovered diary becomes the key to exposing deep-seated family traumas in ‘Ibyahishuwe’, the latest feature film by director Roger Niyoyita, produced by Zacu Entertainment. The film, produced in collaboration with Niyo Films & More, will premiere in October exclusively on Zacu TV before heading to international film festivals. In its essence, ’Ibyahishuwe’ is a meditation on the cost of silence. The plot follows a family forced to confront hidden truths after a long-forgotten diary resurfaces, blurring the lines between love, trust, and betrayal. Past and present collide, revealing how unspoken pain can haunt generations if left buried. According to Niyoyita, filming took just seven days, but the intensity of the process gave the production an unusual weight. “With a small cast and crew, the atmosphere on set was described as intimate, focused, and deeply connected to the film’s themes. It was less about spectacle, more about emotion,” Niyoyita told The New Times. The story is carried by a strong ensemble cast of seven, with Kate Katabarwa and Eric Rwigema delivering powerful performances as a couple torn between love and the weight of secrets. Supporting roles from Alain Samson Mwiyeretsi, Maranatha Uwera, and Ahirwe Bigwi add further depth and nuance. ALSO READ: Kigali hosts first-ever Drive-In Cine Soirée Unlike high-budget productions, ‘Ibyahishuwe’ embraces restraint. Shot in sparse settings with a minimalist approach, the film leans on naturalistic performances, symbolic color grading, and muted sound design. These choices create an atmosphere that amplifies the psychological and emotional layers of the story. For Niyoyita, the story of the film stems from personal and universal observations. “Silence can be heavier than words. This film is my way of showing how hidden pain travels through families. Confronting it may be devastating, but it can also be liberating,” he explained. The director emphasizes that the film is not meant to preach a lesson but to encourage reflection. “Silence often feels like protection, but it can slowly destroy relationships. I hope audiences will recognize themselves in the story and perhaps begin conversations around the difficult issues we tend to avoid.” ALSO READ: Eight cycling classics, new releases to stream ahead of UCI race The film’s October release on Zacu TV affirms a growing wave of locally produced cinema, specifically in feature films, finding strong platforms in Rwanda before stepping into international spaces. With distribution talks underway, the film is set to resonate far beyond its home audience, sparking conversations about family, secrecy, and healing across cultures. In bringing unspoken traumas to the surface, ‘Ibyahishuwe’ dares to start a dialogue that many families, in Rwanda and beyond, continue to avoid. Roger Niyoyita has built a reputation in Rwanda’s film and television industry as the scriptwriter behind well-known series including City Maid, Indoto, and Ishusho ya Papa. Beyond writing, he has also directed several productions, among them Ejo Si Kera, The Bishop’s Family, Shuwa Dilu, and Kaliza wa Kalisa.
