Eyes on the film industry

Industry

For along time Kenyan movie buffs have mostly watched West African films as our industry lagged behind. But things are changing amid hiccups as Kenyan industry finally arrives at the take off stage, write Stevens Muendo and Shirley Genga

Three weeks ago, three Kenyan filmmakers hit the international platform with a bang. In Bayelsa, Nigeria the venue for African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), film director, Wanuri Kahiu stunned all when her movie From a Whisper bagged five awards including the enviable Best Picture award. The film had been nominated in 11 categories.

This was a major breakthrough for Kenya’s film industry, which has had nothing to celebrate for years.

It is understood that some representatives from Nigeria and Ghana, who had been tipped as favourites during the ceremony were shocked by the judges, verdict and have wedged strong criticism on the verdict.

"I understand! The organiser is also a businesswoman. She is trying to bring everyone on board to keep the awards going,"

"If the awards are genuine, I think Ghana deserves an award. I realised that all this time the awards had been about Ghana and Nigeria and they are trying to get the other countries on board, hence giving them those awards," Ghanaian producer Abdul Salam is quoted to have said, apparently hitting on From a Whisper.

Rightful share

But still, besides From a Whisper, other Kenyan films such as Killer Necklace, Coming of Age (by Judy Kibinge) and In the Genes by Lupita Nyong’o received a lot of praise giving a strong indication that Kenya had finally got its act together.

"It has been a long way coming and our time to claim our rightful share in the continental film glory seems to be here at last," said Wanuri Kahiu.

"We want to see films about ourselves. We want those films to be as good as those we are used to. We want quality story telling. There is no reason why we shouldn’t be portrayed as any less than that," Wanuri told Pulse.

But as the celebrations were taking place in Nigeria, back home things were far from celebratory as a group of actors, movie producers, editors and directors held a protest meeting at Wasanii, Kenya National Theatre (KNT) claiming that their dues for the production of M-Net funded TV drama series, The Agency had not been paid.

The disheartening flop of the well funded local TV drama series — whose airing was stopped on claims bordering misappropriation of funds, poor scripting and substandard filming — had dealt the local movie industry a major blow. It was the first major TV drama series to have made DStv.

"M-Net wishes to confirm that the drama series The Agency, produced by Sterling Quality Entertainment, has been postponed and will not resume screening on Mnet until further notice. M-Net has taken this decision in light of production delays and difficulties that have arisen with the delivery of this series. Furthermore, M-Net is considering all remedies available to resolve these challenges, including the possible termination of the series," a press release from MultiChoice read in part.

The matter is still under investigation and the report by auditors will be out next week. Sources have it that owing to the said challenges, The Agency will not be back on air.

Staged protest

The matter got mucky some weeks ago after the former crew of The Agency staged a protest outside the Sterling Quality Entertainment offices demanding their dues.

However, as critics would have it, this has not affected the production and airing of other Kenyan M-Net sponsored TV drama series such as Changes, which is about to be launched on M-Net.

And with this good news, we would forget all the hullabaloo by doomsayers and soldier on to the greater film successes on sight. Riverwood, as the local movie industry is referred as, could just be the next multibillion industry in this country.

"What we are facing right now are teething problems of the film industry. Things are looking up. There is massive film talent in this country, we have great natural screening sights as well as a rich culture to make this the next movie hub in the continent," said an officer from the Kenya Film Commission who sought anonymity.

"Many of our movie makers have the capacity to produce world class films. All they need is the space and good will from the government and support from the media. We are now seeing more filmmakers coming up with great films. The industry is blooming now," he said.

A number of locally produced TV drama series have hit the screens like Siri and Melody Makers.

Siri, a social awareness drama is an initiative of PSI Kenya (Population Services International-Kenya) and the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.

Veteran scriptwriter and producer Cajetan Boy famed for Benta, All Girls Together, Backlash and Obohoz argues that the craft of writing for film has not been developed.

"When foreign filmmakers come to shoot their movies here, they come in with their principal crew leaving local crew to do the menial roles. This is not fair. The industry will not grow unless Kenyans take full control."

Local talent

He advises the Kenya Film Commission to focus on developing local talent.

But Catherine Wamuyu, the director, editor and scriptwriter of popular TV drama series Mother-in-Law and Tahidi High says that good script writing is the main problem facing our film world.

"At the start, most actors were from the theatre. I kept on reminding them to keep to the camera as opposed to the audience they had been used to. Acting for movie and theatre are two different things," she advises.

Steve Ominde, the producer of the film Formula X notes that the chains of distribution in the Kenyan movie market is the weakest link.

"Our distribution system for finished DVDs of feature films is very weak. When the promotion effort behind a film is not sufficient, a retailer or distributor will not want to take much risk thus they will order very small quantities of the product on consignment basis," he remarks.

"Shooting and completing a film is one thing but if you cant get the right platform to promote it and sell it to the general public, you will always be considered a hobbyist and not professional," concludes Ominde.