‘ACT OF LOVE’ FILM PREMIERES IN NAIROBI AND WORLDWIDE
- 12 Oct 2023
12th October 2023, Nairobi: Inspired by the Writer’s true story, ‘Act of Love’ (16+) is a moving Short Film set in Nairobi, about Juliana (Mwixx Mutinda) - a young mother, who holds on to sanity by a thread, as her world is turned upside down in search of a livelihood.
After losing her job at a restaurant, Juliana downsizes to a one-roomed house in an informal neighbourhood. Her luck turns when she is shortlisted for an interview, by a top accounting firm! However, before she can leave her house, the landlord - Mr. Mutisya (Dennis Musyoka), gives her a final notice to pay her rent arrears the same morning. Then, her neighbour - Mama Mukami (Veronica Gatuguta) - who had promised to watch her 2-month-old baby, has a campaign engagement for a local politician. Sister Magdalene (Julisa Rowe), despite being sympathetic to Juliana, cannot allow her to leave the baby at the church, due to a ‘pandemic’ of mothers abandoning their children in the compound. Undeterred, Juliana beats the clock and makes it for the interview - her upset baby in her arms. A sequence of events, triggered by her baby's cries, makes Juliana lose her promising interview. Broken, frustrated, and holding onto sanity by a thread, she questions her love for her baby.
“’Act of Love’ is a Film that makes society acknowledge the ugly side of Motherhood”, says Ms. Shelly Gitonga – the Writer. “Statistics show that Post-Partum Depression (PPD) affects 10-20% of Women globally; but in Africa, the situation is worse, with 10-32% of Women suffering from PPD.”
“In Kenya, the prevalence of this Maternal Mental Health challenge is reported as 11-13%, affecting the well-being of Mothers, Newborns, Families and Communities”, says Ms. Shirleen Wangari, the Producer, at Blackwell Films. “The condition can impair a Mother’s ability to care for her Child and, in extreme cases, can lead to post-partum Psychosis, Suicide and/or Infanticide.”
“Emotional, Educational and Triggering! This film speaks to the core of your Humanity”, says Ms. Naomi Mburuh – the Associate Producer.
Ms. Kalekye Mumo concurs: “’Act of Love’ is gripping, real and thought provoking!”
Screening Manager at DocuBox - Ms. Wambui Gathee, concludes: “‘Act of Love’ is an extraordinary Film, that effortlessly transports viewers into a realm of awe, through its powerful visuals, profound performances, and gripping narrative. This film will create impact on different audiences, particularly on Parents from diverse backgrounds”.
After already being Selected for the prestigious Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and Sauti Zetu Film Festival in Tanzania, Swahili International Film Festival & Awards in Kenya, Fragments Festival in the United Kingdom and the Hollywood African Cinema Connection (HACC) Film Festival in America, the official Premiere for ‘Act of Love’ is on Friday 20th October 2023, at Anga Cinema, Diamond Plaza 2 in Parklands. Red Carpet begins at 5.30pm, followed by a Cocktail before the Screening at 7.00pm; then a Panel Discussion with Cast & Crew, moderated by Mugambi Nthiga, from 7.30pm. Tickets are available, at https://app.mymovies.africa/view/f23879c9f04ad9b0
“We are intentionally premiering ‘Act of Love’ on Mashujaa Day”, says Ms. Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, CEO of YAKWETU™ - the Distributor, “to Stand with all the Heroes living with, either themselves or via those they support, Post-Partum Depression. Film has tremendous Power in effectively Communicating this Issue, and being a Catalyst for Conversation - which very often Leads to various Life-changing supportive Actions.”
‘Act of Love’ shall simultaneously Premiere online, and be available in all 195 countries & territories globally, exclusively via Digital Cinema Extension - MyMovies.Africa™, here: https://app.mymovies.africa/view/f23879c9f04ad9b0
Thereafter, there shall be Screenings in February (the Month of Love) and March (the Month of Women) 2024, to underserved Communities of Women and Healthcare Workers around the Kenya and Africa, to raise further Awareness and spark Conversations for supportive Action on Post-Partum Depression.
Notes to Editors:
- ‘Act of Love’
In the search of a livelihood, Juliana - a young mother, holds on to sanity by a thread, as her world is turned upside down. More: https://app.mymovies.africa/view/f23879c9f04ad9b0
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27393708/
The making of ‘Act of Love’: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ETIMPIziILNuBK8P1T4zNUMdYlHu5at9
- Blackwell Films
Producer of ‘Act of Love’, Blackwell Films is a production company based in Nairobi – Kenya, run by Shirleen Wangari - an Actress Writer and Producer. They provide Filmmaking services and are a licensed Film Agent. Blackwell also acquires Film Licenses, Immigration special Passes and clears Gear for foreign Productions.
More: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleen-wangari-0b16a237/
- SOME FINE DAY Pix
Executive Producer of ‘Act of Love’, the SOME FINE DAY Pix programme is a continuation of the ONE FINE DAY FILMS Workshop series, which was founded by ONE FINE DAY FILMS, Ginger Ink Films Africa and DW Akademie in Nairobi, Kenya. SOME FINE DAY Pix provides digital state-of-the-art training opportunities for African filmmakers.
More: https://www.somefinedaypix.org/
- Ripple Productions
Director of ‘Act of Love’, Eric M. Mwangi – a Cinematographer and Director with Filmmaking experience in the Eastern and Southern African region, is also Founder of Ripple Productions. An alumnus of the American Film Showcase documentary residency, at the University of Southern California., his goal is to bring an African perspective to the global pool of life-changing stories, thereby, contributing to the expansion of the African Cinema language. Passionate about Filmmaking, Eric has worked with different Producers to execute Projects across multiple locations, meeting different needs with the overall goal of storytelling, achieved through efficiency and creative professionalism.
Mwangi's projects range from Documentaries, TV Commercials and Brand Films to Short Films, working through production houses such as Zero Point Zero Productions [America], Zeleman Productions [Ethiopia], YCF Productions [Zambia], DocuBox [Kenya], One Fine Day Films [Kenya] and Some Fine Day Pix [Kenya], amongst others.
Some of his career highlights include Cinematography for the National Geographic Explorer Series on the ongoing Rhino Resurrection episode with Ami Vitale, and Documentary Filmmaker - Taylor Rees Freesolo; Cinematography for the acclaimed Zambian TV drama ‘UBUNTU’ - which is a first from that country on Showmax; working on a Netflix sizzle reel by Academy Award-winning Director - Rodger Ross William; and Emmy Award-winning Documentary TV Show by Anthony Bourdain – ‘Parts Unknown’, amongst others.
More: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-mwangi-24ab734a/
- DocuBox East Africa Fund
Supporter of ‘Act of Love’, DocuBox exists to enable talented, driven, focused and accountable East African artists to produce unique films that unearth new realities and cross trans-national boundaries. Through training, development and production grants and screenings for people who love documentary films, they promote East African filmmakers and share their unique stories with the world through creative documentary.
More: https://mydocubox.org/
- MyMovies.Africa™, by YAKWETU™ Online Limited
Exclusive Distributor, and Non-Exclusive Retailer, of ‘Act of Love’, YAKWETU™ - meaning both "Of Us" and "For Us" in Kiswahili (the most popular African language), is an Online Home Entertainment & Edutainment System - of Africa, for Africa.
Using their proprietory Kenyan-made Applications, 2023 WIPO Global Award-winning YAKWETU™ is an online Retailer of Digital Content, from Africa, to Africa and for Africa - through a Range of thoughtfully Curated branded Services, that supply Consumers with securely Encrypted original Titles, that fairly Pays the Creators, unlike Pirated alternatives.
Released on 26th September 2019, our Poof-of-Concept is MyMovies.Africa™, as a Mobile-first Digital Cinema Extension, offering securely Encrypted original Movies from Africa (i.e. New Releases, Classics, Features, Shorts, Animations, Documentaries, etc) on Smart Devices, including Phones, Tablets, Laptops, Smart TVs and Set Top Boxes, across Africa and to her Diaspora in 195 Countries.
Its core Products are a Premium Video On Demand – PVOD (#RentFor2Days) for New Releases, Transactional Video On Demand – TVOD (#RentFor7Days), Electronic Sell Through – EST (#OwnForLife) purchase and Watch Parties via ZOOM, all Accessed here: https://app.mymovies.africa.
More: https://www.yakwetu.africa
- Supporters of the Premiere
PHAT! Productions: https://linkedin.com/in/phat-productions-a684431b5
Xpose: https://xpose.co.ke/
Mental 360: https://mental360.or.ke/
Kenya Film Commission: https://kenyafilmcommission.go.ke/
Anga Cinema: https://cinema.angacinemas.com/
Pyypl: https://www.pyypl.com/
