Kenyan film to premier in London

By STEVENS MUENDO

The much-awaited Pearls of Africa film is set to premier in London mid this year, even as the cast returns to Kenya for a final take of the high budget movie.

The film, written and directed by London-based Kenyan filmmaker, Sharon Angina, is a story about Kenya in the late 1970s when the country was undergoing transition and recovering from the legacy of British colonialism. It uncovers the truth about racism and prejudice, which was rampant between native Kenyans and white settlers.

Speaking to MondayBlues on phone from London, Sharon said the movie is almost ready for launch. She said the cast, which includes celebrated British actors Kevin Leslie and Neil Reidman will be in Kenya mid this month to shoot final scenes.

"We have invested millions in the movie and we do expect it to turn into a major hit both in Europe and Africa. This is the sort of project, which puts Kenya on the world map. I am already excited about it," Sharon remarked.

"We involved other great movie stars like our own Lizz Nyagah to give it both an African and American appeal. The story-line is captivating. It is a movie for all ages," added the director, who is also famed for her numerous feature films and documentaries among them The Trade Winds of the Indian Ocean, As Old as My Tongues, Yes It’s Working, Capital People and The Legacy of Barack Obama Senior.

The film was shot in major tourist spots in Kenya last year before more scenes were filmed in London.

Celebrities’ beach club opens

An Italian investor who runs a chain of luxury beach resorts in Europe and now the new state-of-the art Pata Pata Sardinia Beach Club in Malindi is planning a grand concert as the establishment opens doors to clients this month.

The new Malindi sensation — which is a sister club to the famous Italian Pata Pata Discotheque, known to host dignitaries, music and film stars — will see performances by leading African musicians in a concert expected to attract 4,000 people.

"The club prides itself as the best of its kind in Africa. The discotheque has two state-of-the-art dancing floors with a big stage of international standards. Among those expected include celebrated Italian deejay Luigi Gas and some top Nigerian singers," said Fedele Grassi, one of the millionaires behind the project.

"We will provide two buses to ferry fun lovers from Nairobi to Malindi on the big night," added his business partner, Mario Mele.

Jamaicans to campaign in Kenyan

Top Jamaica celebrities among them Cecile, Alaine and Mavado, as well as Christopher Martin and Sherieta Lewis, have joined a Kenyan-engineered global charity project.

The dancehall stars are set to visit Kenya this month for the Make a Change campaign during which their new song made for the same will be launched.

Make a Change is a new music and multimedia campaign designed to assist, inspire and motivate African citizens and people of African descent from across the globe to participate in solving social, economic and political issues affecting the globe.

The Make A Change campaign is led by the award winning reggae artiste Cecile and Christopher Grey of multi Oscar and Grammy award winning company Greyology Inc of the Slum Dog Millionaire fame.