Imbabazi: The Pardon
2013 film
Imbabazi: The Pardon is a 2013 Rwandan film, written and directed by Joël Karekezi in his feature film debut.
Imbabazi: The Pardon was made on a low budget, with actors performing for free, and shot in Uganda. The film grew out of Karekezi's earlier short film, The Pardon (2009), which won the Golden Impala Award at the Amakula Film Festival. It received a development award from Gothenburg Film Festival, where it premiered on 28 January 2013. It was also shown at San Diego Black Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, Fespaco and Seattle International Film Festival 2013.
Plot
The film follows two former friends, Manzi and Karemera, whose lives diverge during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Manzi joins Hutu Power, while Karemara's life is in danger as a Tutsi. Fifteen years later Manzi is released from prison and tries to make amends for his violent past.
Cast
Wilson Egessa as Karemera
Joel Okuyo Atiku Prynce as Manzi
Rehema Nanfuka as Alice
Michael Wawuyo as Kalisa
Brenda Ibarah as Dusabe
Dissan Matovu as Eric
Carlos George as Mayor Bosco
Simon Kivumbi as Claude Boda
Kafuruku Peter as Dr. James
Patrick Mujuka as Psychiatrist
Richard Wandera as Soldier John
Keloy Kemigisha as Judith
Kiconco Allen as Marte
Okiyet Julius as Marvin
Awards
Nominee, Best Child Actor, Africa Movie Academy Awards 2013.
“Imbabazi: The Pardon” enters the record as 2013 film. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Imbabazi, Pardon and film can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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Reception evidence should be dated and situated: later canonical status may differ sharply from the work’s initial circulation. The source revision retrieved here is dated Feb 18, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q76488981. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 2013, 2009 and 1994.
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