Lights, Camera, Awards

The much-anticipated third edition of Kalasha Awards was not only full of pomp and flair but also surprises as newcomers trounced veterans on the big night. SHIRLEY GENGA and STEVENS MUENDO take a look at the showpiece and growth of flick industryThe night belonged to the Rugged Priest, whose cast enviably made eight trips to the podium to pick the winners trophy. However, the movie’s great triumph was overshadowed by teen star Kamau Mbaya, who stole everyone’s attention, receiving standing ovation after he was named the Best Lead Actor of the year in a night of splendid showbiz galore.Few, if any, saw it coming, not even the 14-year-old Kamau. For the best part of the night, he remained cushioned around the Briefcase cast, sipping soda and looking mesmerised by the glorious setting. Kalasha’s big winners all smiles with their glittering awards. [PHOTOS: PIUS CHERUIYOT]Two factors stood and none favoured Obi, for that is the character he plays in The Briefcase. The Rugged Priest had swept the board and Collin Simpson, a seasoned actor looked highly favoured to complete the movies clean sweep. Then there was veteran actor Ian Mbugua thanks to Me, My Wife and Her Guru posing a Goliath versus David scenario on Kamau’s debut battle. With abated breath, the crowd waited in silence when the category’s nominees were called out. Then, there was a burst of joy and shock when Kamau’s name was called out. Wild acclamation rented the air as scores escorted the teenager to the podium where he proudly accepted the award, even giving a hilarious short speech as the media made a meal of the moment.It was a night of many surprises which saw newcomer Serah Ndanu floor big names like Liz Njagah to scoop the Best Lead Actress category. The TV categories were shared squarely with no programme or station taking command. It was pomp and flair as well as hilarious moments as cobblers of creative art mingled during the prestigious ceremony. Veterans from pioneer TV comedy shows Vitimbi and Vioja Mahakamani mixed freely with new generation stars from the likes of Mheshimiwa and Changing Times both of which scored in the winners cards when the hour of truth finally arrived. GLAMOROUS AFFAIRA magnificent reception ushered the guests in a rather chilly atmosphere, with a dim-lit bonfire warming the night away. The stars stepped out dressed to kill. Most of them preferring just the simple black little dinner dress. The sound and stage setting didn’t disappoint neither did the emcees who kept mood right even as heavy rain clouds threatened to spoil the day. In the dull weather, it was no doubt that time delay was inevitable but from a slow start, the event gradually livened up with scores thronging in to thrilling performances treat and sumptuous welcoming cocktails at the Carnivore grounds, where it was all going down."There is no wisdom in aspiring to be taller than the shortest dwarf. Kenyan film industry will be bigger than Nollywood and Bollywood," the ever-eloquent PLO Lumumba a Kalasha board trustee said.The gala event was a culmination of a journey that began in early July, with a call to film -makers and broadcasters to submit films and programmes produced in the last one year. And the industry did not disappoint. According to Peter Mutie Kenya Film Commission CEO, they received 129 films that were all made in a year. Last year’s edition had 139 from a span of three years. "We received 129 entries with some productions only produced a few months ago. This translates to eleven productions in a month, indeed a phenomenal growth," said Mutie.The night was filled with surprises. In the television category, there were major upsets, as television shows that had dominated the awards in previous years went home empty-handed. Last year’s big winners Tahidi High, Papa Shirandula and Inspekta Mwala were the big losers. No TV show took home more than two awards save for Churchill Live. Arguably, this indicates that television series have finally become competitive. COMIC RELIEFEric Omondi took home best performance in a comedy and Churchill Live took home Best TV Entertainment. Nice Githinji, who was also nominated last year for Best lead actress in a TV drama, finally took home the coveted award for her role as Lisa in Changing Times. Best TV drama won by Changing Times last year went to Siri this time round. It’s no secret that Siri has always had superior quality in terms of picture, storyline and it was about time they took home the award.According to Siri director Alison Ngibuini, her goal whenever she gets into any project is to be the best."It does not matter how much money is at my disposal, my goal is to always produce the best quality of work that I can, so that my work can compete with products from all over the world. I want to show my work all over the world without having to make excuses for its quality." She reiterates.In the best comedy category, Vioja Mahakamani which has been on air for 37 years finally got honoured. In the film categories, The Rugged Priest, which was inspired by Fr Kaiser’s murder, dominated the film categories taking home a whopping eight awards out of the ten that it was nominated for. "It was a great event which reflected the truth about our film industry. The winners were well deserving," Ainea Ojiambo aka OJ told Pulse."The Rugged Priest was my first serious movie to act and I’m delighted by the win," noted Serah Ndanu.Notably, Kenyan films are finally becoming of age and are evolving from the usual story lines that deal with poverty and sexual immorality. The Rugged Priest for example not only deals with political undertones but also captures the theme of social ills plaguing the Catholic Church. Muigwithania directed by Amit Tyagi crafts what life was like in 1954. His film explores what it may have been for Asian families during the period of uprising. Another is the great addition to the body of Kenyan animations by animator Kwame Nyong’o, which tells a charming story, based upon a Maasai folktale, The Legend of Ngong’ Hills.IMPROVED WORKThe picture quality of Kenyan films has also gone a notch higher in the last two years. As a testament to this, the audience was treated to sneak previews of the nominated pictures and though The Rugged Priest took the best sound and cinematography, the other films nominated besides it; Muigwithania by Wide Angle Productions and Me, My Wife and Her Guru also had good quality in terms of sound and cinematography.Talking to Pulse, veteran producer Bob Nyanja and director of the biggest winner of the night, noted that the future of the Kenyan film industry lies in the collaborated efforts within the industry players."When we went into this project my goal was to set high standards and make a statement. The film was a collaboration between Cinematic Solutions, Dream Catchers, Blue Sky films and Produce Associates. The only way to go far in film is through collaborations," says Bob. This trend of production companies coming together to create a film is starting to gather pace in the film industry. First Grader, which has managed to scoop awards all over the globe, is a co-production between South Africa, Kenya and the United Kingdom. While Kenyan TV series have been welcomed with open arms by the Kenyan public, films still have a long way to go. A lot needs to be done. They need more hype and exposure. Most Kenyans barely know or have watched any of the films that were celebrated at the Kalasha awards. This was the case five years ago and sadly remains so.LOCAL FLICKSAccording to Maureen Nyanjong the marketing manager at Fox Cinemas, there have been more Kenyan films aired at the cinemas in the last two years but she believes that a lot still needs to be done."A part from more publicity, I believe Kenyans need to support films made locally. We screened Rugged Priest and although it had some good buzz, it still did not do as well as international films. The same happened to the films: Muigwithania and Ndoto za Elibidi. Although Kenyan films should be made in a manner that will enable them to win awards, they should also try and make films that are commercial. It is possible to make an award winning film that is also commercially viable," Maureen insists.The Kenyan film and television industry has seen some slow but steady growth in the last five years. This year alone, the Kenyan flag has flown high in different parts of the world. Beatrice Wangondu’s Extra Ordinarily Large Loves and Life of Richard Onyango, is the only African movie to be selected among 200 international productions to feature in the Doc Meeting in Argentina this year. Monica Wangu’s, The Unbroken Spirit documentary won best documentary film in Fascepaco festival in Burkina Faso. At the Zanzibar International Film Festival earlier in the year, Kenyan films also took home the biggest awards. Bob Nyanja’s Rugged Priest was the big winner scooping the prestigious Golden Dhow award, with the Silver Dhow feature film going to another Kenyan film, Togetherness Supreme while Kwame Nyong’o’s The Legend Of Ngong’ Hills bagged the East African Talent Award.

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