Set against the visceral backdrop of Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls, RISE follows a rebellious young boy living on a rubbish dump who will do whatever it takes to feel seen in a world that has written him off. When he meets a reclusive boxing coach haunted by his own past, the boy pushes his way into the man’s life, demanding to be trained. What begins as a battle for survival becomes something deeper - a fragile, unexpected bond between two forgotten souls fighting for dignity, love, and a place to belong.
Written and directed by Jessica J. Rowlands, RISE is a raw, kinetic coming-of-age film about outsiders, identity, and the quiet triumph of choosing connection over fear. Shot entirely in Zimbabwe with an all-African cast and crew, the film is both intimate and epic, capturing the stark beauty of a boy’s fight to reclaim his power in a world that refuses to see him.
RISE will have it’s World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival this summer in New York City.