Entertainment
“A Bit Much”: Stealing the Show, Literally
The Birth of “A Bit Much”
The inspiration behind A Bit Much came from an unexpected source—an actor’s brief availability and a real-life incident involving the film’s Director of Photography (DP), Shuqi Yang. Youssef recounts that the story was inspired by the theft and attempted extortion of Shuqi’s phone, a situation that he managed to resolve in real life. However, for the sake of storytelling, Youssef took creative liberties, adding layers of complexity, character motivation, and a trio of bumbling thieves to the narrative.
The film was built around the availability of lead actor Obi D’meano, with the entire project coming together quickly to take advantage of his open schedule. The inclusion of other favorite actors from Youssef’s past projects, like Steve Diouf, Michael Braithwaite, and Nikki Mendoza, made this film a collaborative effort filled with familiar faces.
Overcoming the Challenges
Youssef Mutawe recently brought his latest project, A Bit Much, to life under uniquely challenging circumstances. With just two weeks for development and pre-production, and two freezing winter nights for shooting, Mutawe turned a quick opportunity into a compelling film.
The biggest challenge of shooting A Bit Much was undoubtedly the extreme cold. With temperatures plunging to -28ºC (-18ºF), the team had to be strategic in managing time, particularly for the outdoor scenes. Youssef, who is more accustomed to such frigid conditions, was acutely aware of the discomfort this caused his team. Despite the cold, he describes the production as a blast, with the crew’s dedication making the process a smooth one.
A Filmmaker on the Rise
Youssef’s filmmaking journey began in 2019 with a music video, just before he moved to Toronto to study film. Since graduating in 2021, he has been actively involved in various projects, both his own and in collaboration with others. A Bit Much marks another milestone in his growing body of work.
What’s Next?
Youssef’s latest project, a multilingual docu-drama shot in Jordan and Palestine, is currently in the final stages of post-production. This film is a deeply personal exploration of detachment from one’s birth country and attachment to an ancestral land that remains out of reach. The film is framed through the perspectives of Youssef and his father, with characters portrayed by his cousins.
In addition to this, Youssef has four other fictional narratives in development. Two of these projects are pending grants, the third is an off-beat coming-of-age story about five 20-somethings, and the fourth is a dark, dystopian love letter to his hometown of Winnipeg.
A Creative Collective
Youssef is also a member of Bleeckhaus, a Toronto-based collective that creates experimental and often abstract projects. This collective serves as a space for fun, creative expression, where personal narratives take a backseat to more off-the-cuff storytelling.
Connect with Youssef
Youssef Mutawe is always open to collaboration and enjoys sharing his opinions and offering his time to projects. He can be contacted via Instagram at @youssefmutawe or by email at ymutawe@gmail.com. For those interested in viewing his portfolio, it can be found at youssefmutawe.myportfolio.com or on his IMDB.
Looking Ahead
At the moment, Youssef is focused on honing his craft and expanding his connections within cultural and creative communities. While he’s not currently in talks with distributors or agents, his dedication to filmmaking and his growing body of work suggest that it won’t be long before his name becomes more widely recognized.
In just 5 years, Youssef Mutawe has demonstrated a remarkable ability to turn everyday experiences into engaging stories, proving that even in the coldest conditions, creativity knows no bounds.
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