Written by: Shirley Genga and T. Mochama
Starring: Lots of characters
Parental guidance: SVL
Achtung! – Do not read this piece at home
When Project Daddy, produced by acclaimed film and documentary director Judy Kibinge, flickered into generation Pulse’s consciousness back in the August of 2004, it was generally thought to be a one off ‘easy viewing film’.
Starring Bruce Odhiambo (who is currently not that well), its two main actresses were Nini Wacera and Serah Mwihaki, then having a tempestuous affair. Nini would go on to conquer steamy late night radio (and make ‘hot’ headlines in paparazzi mags for years) before cooling off.
But the culture of local films would continue to grow from strength to strength.
With the Kenya International Film Festival (KIFF) ending today, yet featuring dozens of locally produced films in venues from the Kenya National Theatre, Goethe Institut to the French Cultural & Co-operation Centre (FCCC), there is no longer any doubt about the obvious.
Kenya is in the middle of a real-to-goodness film and theatre revolution. With audacious and enterprising film directors like Willy Owusu, Aleks Kamau and Sagwa Chabeda shooting our sagas, and projecting them onto the silver screen. DSTV, with the likes of Wangeci Murage and under GM Stephen Isaboke, is also doing its best to pick up on these films and promises that by the 2010 World Cup, they will have the Kenyan film industry "on the continental map".
So, what’s up? For starters, there are films like Ras Star, loosley based on the life of ‘Kenya’s first lady of rap’ Nazizi. And even incidents as recent as the short March to June 4 month ‘notoriety’ reign of the Artur Brothers with their gaudy jewellery, celebrity chickies and gun-toting debacles has made it to the big screen — in the form R2 security currently showing at Nu-Metro Cinemas . They say that a good movie, is not only meant to entertain, excite or educate, but must also aspire to inspire. And that seemed to be the feeling amongst fans during this year’s Kenya International Film Festival as 200 films were screened.
This year has been a good year for Kenyan film industry, with the release of so many well done Kenyan projects. Some of these movies include:
FORMULA X
Cast: Gabriella Mutia, lead actress on Malooned, Nice Githinji, Chris Kirubi, Peter King, and Melvin Alusa
Director: Steve Ominde
The movie tells a story of a Kenyan scientist who discovers a vaccine for HIV virus. Whilst he is about to make a sale to a huge internal medical distributor, a company that claims to have the same formula sends a paid criminal to his house to forcefully take the formula from him.
Guest appearances included, Smitta Smitten, Eric Wainaina, Didge, Nonini, Gich Boy and Karma.
The director of the movie, Steve Ominde believes that even though the Kenya Film industry has grown, it still has a long way to go.
"The Kenyan Film environment is not level for film making. To block a street to shoot a10 minute scene does not make sense to some officials, while getting a permit and clearance is even harder. To get guns for a scene is almost impossible. Financing a movie is also another big problem. In the first world, movies are funded by studios who have been doing it for decades," Steve says.
Despite the hardships, Steve believes that his movie is of good quality, Hollywood style. The movies starts out with some interesting animation and the sound track features songs by the likes of Eric Wainaina, Didge, Jogg C and Gospel Fathers, Kanji Mbugua and Nameless.
Eric Wainaina’s songs include Twende Twende and Adhiambo,
The film has already been nominated for a film Festival in Rwanda and Amakula Awards in Uganda among other international Awards.
ALL GIRLS TOGETHER
The movie was produced by Janet Madiangi. Nice Githinji plays Sasha, and Janet Karina plays Josie. Janet Karina has acted in movies like: Toto Millionaire, Benta, Stigma, and plays the sassy hair dresser on the TV series Makutano Junction.
"The Kenyan Film industry is getting bigger and better, as actors we are getting better pay and never ending opportunities", says Karina.
Janet Madiangi, who is editor as well as producer of this movie is also of the same feeling. She says, "Before, getting a film to be screened at the cinema was not just hard but next to impossible. Of course, financially speaking, a movie is still very costly; but slowly the movie industry is getting support. For example Homeboyz promoted our movie for the three weeks it was being screened at Numetro. Our thriller was constantly played and we never paid a cent."
The biggest issue is still piracy, and the girls are forced to always note and know when they give out copies of their movie.
PIECES FOR PEACE
Cast: Nice Githinji, Josephat Nzia, Joseph Omari, Makumi, Andrew Muthute
The film was inspired by the traumatising events that followed Kenya’s bangled presidential elections last year, and was written at height of the unrest in January. It was an initiative of the Kenya Film Commission "Sinema Moja Initiative". Mburu Kimani and Bresson were picked to produce the project. It was intended to be two separate projects, but ended up being a joint project.
The film revolves around Rono, a Kalenjin, who is set to marry the love of his life, Wairimu, a Kikuyu. On the side, two brothers fight for control of their ancestral land from their father, who hangs on to its control and administration despite his advancing age. Amidst this two stories,is Kenya’s past presidential election that was marred by political and tribal conflict. As a result, choices must be made, the consequences of which could prove deadly.
Mburu Kimani, one of the producers of the movie, has been in the Kenyan movie industry for years. He first started out as an actor in shows like Tausi, Asali, Maua and Wingu la Moto. Later, he got into producing and has made movies which include; Enough is Enough, The Race and Power ya Deni. It is ironic that Mburu, whose The Race seems to praise winning by means foul or fair, has now made a film dealing with the consequences of deception. Robby Bresson, the other producer, joined the industry 10 years ago when his company was providing special effect lighting for "Omo Pick a Box". Bresson later undertook several film and TV projects, and was chosen for the recent M-Net and Kenya Film Commission study tour for film producers.
"The Kenyan industry has grown and is slow improving especially on TV. According to Mburu distribution is also a big problem for many movie-makers.
"Riverwood has established a network that is similar to Nigeria’s Nollywood, and many movie makers, especially those who specialise in vernacular movies, have made fortunes. But it needs policy regulation — the government and other organisations need to help streamline it to stem out piracy," continues Mburu.
"This year’s Kenya International Film Festival is bigger and better. Film producers, actors get to see each other’s work, and learn from each other. The workshops provided during the festival are also a big plus," says Brenson.
Mburu’s movie called Ken tells the story of a man who is a waiter but pretends to be a bank manager to impress a girl. Ken will open at West Gate, Nu-Metro, on the 13 of November.
OBOHOZ
Cast: Paula Kavita, David Lomunyak, Collins Kihiku, Eric Sugar
The movie which is produced by Cajetan Boy revolves around a girl called Muna and tells the story of her struggles to survive after completing campus. Once she graduates, she is unable to get a job and soon finds it hard to resist as temptations come her way thick and fast.
Other movies Cajetan Boy has produced include, Wale Watu, Benta, Backlash, By Any Means Nessesary, Roho, Deadly Ties and the afore-mentioned All Girls Together.
"This has been a good year for the industry, both on Television and film; there are a lot of Kenyan projects being released. Which is a big benefit, as people are being more daring in the movie themes — and so we are not watching movies that only revolve around socially conscious theme. Also people have begun to realise the importance of a good, strong script."
Obohoz is still at the ‘edit’ stage, but should be out later in the year
FROM A WHISPER
(Currently showing at Nu Metro Westgate).
The movie’s plot is simple and poetic, as it tells the story of an artiste and an intelligence officer, direct victims of the terrorist attack- and how they find unique ways to survive the tragedy. It takes a close look at real struggle, to the lived-in spaces and worn-out consciences that come when despair turns into obsession, and sorrow turns to denial.
"The main problems still facing a lot of Kenyan film makers is getting finances and location permit," says the movies producer Wanuri Kahiu .
"Hiring a parking space within the city centre costs as much as Sh7,000. That does not mean the industry is not growing. Just look at the number of Kenyan movies that have been released this year," she says.
The film features many new generation Kenyan actors, including Godfrey Odhiambo (Malooned, Afrika Mon Amour, Money and Cross), Ken Ambani (Naliaka is Going, Green Card, Dilemma), Corine Onyango, Nagib Khan and Haroun Fazul. It’s art dÈcor by a brilliant artist called Deqa is marvelous, and dedicated movie producer Kuxi is delighted with the film effort.
R2 SECURITY,
(Currently Showing At Nu Metro Village Market).
The movie tells the story of two mafia boys from Greece, who are forced by circumstances to take a holiday in Kenya, where they set up a security firm, R2 security. With the help of a local criminal/gigolo, they get their first assignment protecting an extremely wealthy man’s new wife and step family. However, the new wife’s son not only dislikes his step father, but also starts to suspect that the R2 fellows are not what they seem. The plot thickens when the son falls for his step-father’s assistant and his sister falls for one of the security guards.
When we last covered the Kenyan film industry back in 2004, our main beef was that the plots were very often one dimensional. Now, as KIFF organiser Charles Asibo points out (in between a phone call to reject the request to do a "cocktail and cocaine film" because it’s too late in the week), he is facing the happy dilemma of having "too many local movies to choose from."
Even local adult films are being shot in the country, although the less said on the sordid matter, the better. We will soon have to gaze westwards to ‘Kileleshwa-wood’ where a new generation of film makers have made their debut, so it’s "Lights, Camera … Action."
Cut!
The End.
(Ed’s note: No animals were hurt during the writing of this article).
