Yakwetu


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Mark Dinn


With an astounding 15 Festival Selections, 9 Nominations, and 5 Awards, within just 13 Weeks from its Premiere, ACT OF LOVE has also just won Best Short Film and Best Scriptwriter at the inaugural Mombasa International Film Festival!

<img src="https://mlacrpylygub.i.optimole.com/cb:LlYY.8845/w:728/h:720/q:mauto/f:best/https://news.sanaapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot_20240129-110259.jpg"/>

To Celebrate, the Cast & Crew shall be Hosting a Free Screening at The Alchemist in Westlands, this Tuesday 30th January 2024 (8.00 pm – 10.00 pm), in conjunction with MyMovies.Africa™. Registration (100 Seats only) is now Open, here: https://app.mymovies.africa/tickets/act-of-love

<img src="https://mlacrpylygub.i.optimole.com/cb:LlYY.8845/w:729/h:729/q:mauto/f:best/https://news.sanaapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG-20240129-WA0001.jpg"/>

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 her sanity by a thread, as her world is turned upside down in search of a livelihood.

"ACT OF LOVE is a Film that makes society acknowledge the ugly side of Motherhood”, says Ms. Shelly Gitonga – the now Award-winning Scriptwriter.

ACT OF LOVE also won Best Short Film at the 9th MASHARIKI African Film Festival in Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2023; following Runner-up for Best Kenyan Short at the Under Our Skin International Film Festival for Human Rights in Kenya in Nairobi, during November 2023; following-on from winning the People’s Choice Award at the inaugural Sauti Zetu Film Festival in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, during October 2023.

"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 now Award-winning 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.” She adds

"We are so Proud of the Cast & Crew of this beautiful Film. As well as having ACT OF LOVE worldwide on our own MyMovies.Africa™. The Film is also now Available for Licensing to other Video On Demand (VOD) services, Television and Non-Theatrical opportunities like Airlines, so that as many Africans and Diasporans as possible, can watch this important Title.” says Ms. Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Co- Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Content Director of YAKWETU™ – the Distributor.

The film has also been Selected for the prestigious 2023 Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) in Tanzania, 2023 Swahili International Film Festival & Awards in Kenya, 2023 Fragments Festival in the United Kingdom, 2023 Kugoma Film Forum in Mozambique, 2023 Fankeenna Film Festival in Somaliland, 2023 Hollywood African Cinema Connection (HACC) Film Festival in America, 2023 Global Film Exhibition in America, 2023 Botswana International Film Festival, 2023 Mombasa International Film Festival in Kenya, Kenya Film Commission’s Reel County Film Festival 2024 and 2024 Kitale Film Week pin Kenya!

"We have also begun special Screenings 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, Maternal Health and Mental Health”, says Ms. Chloe Genga, Impact Producer at LightBox Africa.

"And we’re open to Collaborating with any Partners who share our Vision”. She adds

ACT OF LOVE was Produced by Blackwell Films, in conjunction with Ripple Productions, through Funding from Some Fine Day Pix, GIZ, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development of Germany, and DocuBox East Africa Fund; with Support Naomi Mburuh Films, Film Studios, and Jenga Leo.

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Source: https://news.sanaapost.com/a-coastal-celebration-in-the-capital/


ACT OF LOVE to screen at the The Alchemist in Nairobi after two wins at the Mombasa International Film Festival 

A Coastal Celebration in the Capital


<strong> ACT OF LOVE to Screen at The Alchemist in Nairobi, after winning Best Short Film and Best Scriptwriter at the Inaugural Mombasa International Film Festival </strong>

28th January 2024, Nairobi: With an astounding 15 Festival Selections, 9 Nominations and 5 Awards, within just 13 Weeks from its Premiere, ACT OF LOVE has also just won Best Short Film and Best Scriptwriter at the inaugural Mombasa International Film Festival!

And to Celebrate, the Cast & Crew shall be Hosting a Free Screening at The Alchemist in Westlands, this Tuesday 30th January 2024 (8.00pm -10.00pm), in conjunction with MyMovies.Africa™. Registration (100 Seats only) is now Open, here: https://app.mymovies.africa/tickets/act-of-love

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.

ACT OF LOVE also won Best Short Film at the 9th MASHARIKI African Film Festival in Kigali – Rwanda, during November 2023; following Runner-up for Best Kenyan Short at the Under Our Skin International Film Festival for Human Rights in Kenya in Nairobi, during November 2023; following-on from winning the People’s Choice Award at the inaugural Sauti Zetu Film Festival in Dar-es-Salaam – Tanzania, during October 2023.

“ACT OF LOVE is a Film that makes society acknowledge the ugly side of Motherhood”, says Ms. Shelly Gitonga – the now Award-winning Scriptwriter. “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 now Award-winning 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.”

To-date ACT OF LOVE, has also been Selected for the prestigious 2023 Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) in Tanzania, 2023 Swahili International Film Festival & Awards in Kenya, 2023 Fragments Festival in the United Kingdom, 2023 Kugoma Film Forum in Mozambique, 2023 Fankeenna Film Festival in Somaliland, 2023 Hollywood African Cinema Connection (HACC) Film Festival in America, 2023 Global Film Exhibition in America, 2023 Botswana International Film Festival, 2023 Mombasa International Film Festival in Kenya, Kenya Film Commission’s Reel County Film Festival 2024 and 2024 Kitale Film Week pin Kenya!

“We are so Proud of the Cast & Crew of this beautiful Film”, says Ms. Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Content Director of YAKWETU™ - the Distributor. “As well as having ACT OF LOVE worldwide on our own MyMovies.Africa™”, the Film is also now Available for Licensing to other Video On Demand (VOD) services, Television and Non-Theatrical opportunities like Airlines, so that as many Africans and Diasporans as possible, can watch this important Title.”

“We have also begun special Screenings 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, Maternal Health and Mental Health”, says Ms. Chloe Genga, Impact Producer at LightBox Africa. “And we’re open to Collaborating with any Partners who share our Vision”.

ACT OF LOVE was Produced by Blackwell Films, in conjunction with Ripple Productions, through Funding by Some Fine Day Pix, GIZ, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development of Germany and DocuBox East Africa Fund; with Support Naomi Mburuh Films, Film Studios and Jenga Leo.


Notes to Editors:

01). ACT OF LOVE

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.

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

Behind the Scenes photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sLHVJPZOOx891A3YvMTr31lotejc0hWi?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RgogAE2v3IgO1bAh34vzqoYirXwijzb3?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Epf1AOVZ6zz1rmma1T3TLQwjO1L-l6gq?usp=sharing

02). Mombasa International Film Festival

The Mombasa International Film Festival is a celebration of local and international Cinema, offering a
diverse selection of Films from talented Filmmakers; organised by Mombasa County Government,
Swahilipot Hub and Alliance Française.

Here is the List of Winners for the inaugural Edition:

Best Feature Film - Rishai - Kenya.

Best Coastal Film - Eastzuu - Kenya.

Best Short Film - Act of Love - Kenya.

Best International Short Film - Malaika - South Africa.

Best International Feature Film - Heroes of Africa - Ghana.

Best Editor - Derek Hammeke & MD Neely - Where the River Divides - Kenya.

Best Sound Designer - Monicah Mugo (Mzuka) - Kenya.

Best Child Performer - Kabuye Close (Crystal) - Uganda.

Best Actress - Grace Ngaracu (Eastzuu) – Kenya.

Best Actor - Keith Chuaga - Visasi - Kenya.

Best Scriptwriter - Shelly Gitonga (Act of Love) - Kenya.

Best Cinematographer - Andrew Bradford - Where the River Divides - Kenya.

Best Director - Omar Hamza - Rishai – Kenya.

Best Documentary - Kiswahili Kitukuzwe - Kenya.

Best Film by a Student - Kwani si Kesho? - Kenya (Short Film).

Best Animation Film - Earth's Children - Kenya.

More: https://www.mombasainternatonalfilmfestival.co.ke/

03). MASHARIKI African Film Festival

The MASHARIKI African Film Festival was launched in 2014, and is the largest Film Festival in Rwanda. The Festival was created to respond to a fast-growing film Audience and a much-needed film Connection through African countries, Filmmakers, the Diaspora and International Media Producers.

MASHARIKI is an annual cultural event that aims at bringing African Films to an African audience. It consists of Screenings, capacity building through Workshops & Masterclasses by International and African Filmmakers, plus rewarding the outstanding Films and Filmmakers in different Categories.

More: https://www.masharikifestival.org/the-festival/

04). Under Our Skin International Film Festival for Human Rights

Under Our Skin Film Festival is a platform that aims to entertain, inform and inspire through the medium of film. We motivate audiences and participants to question, debate and reflect on the state of human rights in Kenya and internationally. By actively embracing a cross-cultural exchange, the Festival invites audiences and stories from diverse backgrounds. It encourages individuals to think beyond their immediate surroundings and consider the interconnectedness of human rights issues worldwide, thus instilling a sense of understanding, empathy and global citizenship. We engender action and positive change for society and individuals through documentaries, fiction, conceptual films and animations - of all lengths.

More: https://www.underourskinkenya.org

05). 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 and Distributor 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, their 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

06). LightBox Africa

LBx Africa offers Impact Production services, for both in-house and external Projects, on a consultancy basis. As one of the few Companies in the Region, that combines Social Impact strategy and Filmmaking, we aim to create customized experiences for each Project we undertake. We recognise that Film Distribution is not limited to Theatrical Screenings and Streaming Platforms, but can also be used as a powerful Tool to drive sustainable Change in Communities.

More: https://lbxafrica.com

07). 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/

08). 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/

09). 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/

10). 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/




ACT OF LOVE to Screen at The Alchemist in Nairobi, after winning Best Short Film and Best Scriptwriter at the Inaugural Mombasa International Film Festival!


2023 has been yet another cinematic chapter in the Kenyan film industry, one which I can only describe as a captivating reel of artistic triumphs. From the extensive releases of Kenyan-produced films that have gone on to have screenings at various major festivals which make up part of the international film circuit, to having our strongest film yet submitted as a contender for the Best International Feature Film Award category at the Oscars 2024.

<img src="https://wakilisha.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-scene-from-the-Kenyan-Film-Where-the-River-Divides_WAKILISHA.jpg"/>
<figcaption>A scene from the Kenyan film Where the River Divides (2023)A scene from the Kenyan film Where the River Divides (2023) | Image: IMDb </figcaption>

It is only right to celebrate the brilliant output of the Kenyan filmmakers currently at the center of producing films centered around Kenya that delve into the intricacies of the Kenyan experience, happenings, and ways of life. Below I have curated a list of what I consider to be the top five Kenyan films released in 2023, acknowledging the inherent subjectivity that shapes our individual perspectives on cinema.

1. Mvera

Directed by Daudi Anguka, who is mostly known for his Swahili telenovela Pete that airs on Maisha Magic, Mvera is arguably one of the finest Kenyan films in recent times.

<img src="https://wakilisha.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mvera_Top-5-Kenyan-Films-of-2023_WAKILISHA.jpg"/>

<figcaption>A scene in Mvera, Kenya’s official submission to the 2024 Academy Awards. Mvera appears on WAKILISHA's list of top 5 Kenyan Films released in 2023.A scene in Mvera, Kenya’s official submission to the 2024 Academy Awards. Mvera appears on WAKILISHA’s list of top 5 Kenyan Films released in 2023. | Image: WAKILISHA </figcaption>

It was recently announced as Kenya’s official submission to the 2024 Academy Awards by the Oscars Selection Committee Kenya (OSCK) to vie for the Best International Feature Film Award. Mvera features a stellar cast of fine actors and actresses such as Hillary Namanje, Kibibi Salim, Patrick Owino, Susan Kadid, Carorita Mutua and Linah Sande in the lead role.

<iframe width="820" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RxlwV2-liBM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


The film is set in the Kenyan coast and follows the lead character, Mvera (Linah Sande), as she tries  to fight the corrupt practices that have plagued her poverty ridden community in a modern day retelling of the Mekatilili Wa Menza story. Mvera was  released on September 9th at Nyali Cinemax in Mombasa.


2. Where The River Divides

Set in the late 70s, Where the River Divides tells the story of Dennis ( portrayed by Gadwill Odhiambo) who must choose between conforming to the orthodox ways of his father’s clan or Christianity which he has come to embrace. The movie was filmed in Migori at the Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site, and alongside Gadwill features a cast of  Sandra Apondi, U.S based Kenyan actor Benjamin A. Onyango, Caroline Midimo Atieno, Fred Kasuku, Alan Oyugi among others.

<img src="https://wakilisha.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-Scene-in-Where-the-River-Divides_Kenyan-Film-2023_WAKILISHA.jpg"/>

<figcaption>A scene from the 2023 Kenyan film ‘Where the River Divides’. In the film the son of a clan leader returns to his village following his baptism, he must choose whether to inherit his father’s legacy, or fulfill his newfound purpose and risk his life. | Image: IMDb </figcaption>

This film is produced by Isaac Masiga for MyMovies.Africa, a film streaming company founded in 2014  whose main purpose is termed to be connecting customers globally with African content of their choice and remunerating the creators of the content. It was initially released on 8th April 2023 in the United States and first made available for world wild streaming  on 15th August 2023 after its Kenyan premier at the Anga Cinema, Diamond Plaza in Nairobi.


3. Prayer For The Departed

Featuring Favour Odhiambo, Raymond Ofula, and Lucarelli Onyango in the lead roles among others, Prayers For The Departed narrates on the true story of a fourteen year old school girl referred to as JMM who is raped, gets pregnant and after initially seeking abortion services from a quackery doctor, is denied necessary healthcare from the government hospitals when it all goes sideways resulting in her death. This emotional film, which is a collaborative production of Safari Media and Xhale Africa, was released on the 25th of March 2023, at The Prestige Cinema in Nairobi, at a grand premier which was attended by an array of politicians, law makers and social justice activists.

<img src="https://wakilisha.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Poster-for-the-2023-Kenyan-Film-Prayer-for-the-Departed_WAKILISHA.jpg"/>

<figcaption>Poster for the 2023 Kenyan Film Prayer for the DepartedPrayer For The Departed (2023) is a Kenyan film directed by Dancurf Brown. The film is inspired by a true story, the film explores the journey of a Kenyan girl forced to confront a maze of complex decisions no teenager should ever have to make. | Image: Dancurf Brown </figcaption>

4. Mtaa Yangu

Set in the neighborhood of Mwiki in Nairobi, and featuring a cast comprising of Sasha Orege, Emily Nene, Mavoko Mbatha as the lead and Mary Kinya among others, Mtaa Yangu is a crime thriller directed by Likale Washington Muyonga. It tells the story of a gang leader named Kiprotich  who exploits Mwiki residents.

<iframe width="820" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uhRq3YJwh40" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


With thrilling action and fight sequences to die for, Mtaa Yangu was released on 6th October 2023 at the Anga Cinema, Diamond Plaza and screened also at select venues across Nairobi and beyond.

5. Act Of Love

Directed by the talented Eric Mwangi, produced  by Shirleen Wangari and with an amazing screenplay written by Shelly Gitonga, Act Of Love explores the struggles of motherhood through the story of Juliana ( portrayed by Mwixx Mutinda), who must hold on for the sake of her young child despite how every support system she has comes crumbling down.

<img src="https://wakilisha.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-scene-from-the-Kenyan-film-Act-of-Love-released-in-2023_WAKILISHA.jpg"/>

<figcaption>Mwikali Mutinda in the Kenyan film Act of Love (2023)Mwikali Mutinda in the Kenyan film Act of Love (2023) | Image: IMDb</figcaption>

Initially released on  June 7th 2023 in the United States, the film which has made its way through  the international Film circuit  with various screenings in festivals across the globe, had its Kenyan premier on  20th October 2023 at the Anga Cinema Diamond Plaza in Nairobi.


Source: https://wakilisha.africa/top-5-kenyan-films-released-in-2023/


Top 5 Kenyan Films Released In 2023


Where the River Divides carried a palpable aura that wafted through the smiles and faces that graced its premiere at the Anga Diamond Cinema. Having successfully avoided any spoilers, trailers, or any information about the film beforehand, I had absolutely no idea what awaited me—not the 33-minute runtime that took me by surprise, nor the makers of the film, nor what the film was about. What I did manage to pick up from the whispers of those who attended the premiere was that I was about to experience one of the most beautiful Kenyan films I had ever seen. And it was.

As the opening scenes played over my eyes, I found myself burrowing through my mind for any memory of native Kenyan films. Maybe it’s the lack of funding to actualize memories or our industry being too ripe in its infancy to explore our history with genuineness; we simply seem to lack films that capture the day-to-day lives of Kenyans before or early into our independence.

Where the River Divides, directed by M.D. Neely, rises forth to fill that void, exploring a small Luo rural clan in the 70s. The film is careful enough to adhere to the language, traditions, and mannerisms of its time while elevating itself with the most beautiful locations, costumes, and cinematography so that every scene, the consequential ones, and the fillers feel intricately placed to tell a coherent story.

The story itself, written by Matt Black, sees an ideological fight between a son and his father as the gospel the son brings to the clan attempts to usurp the tradition the clan has been founded on. Based on a true story, the narrative walks through the decades, planting its seed in the protagonist’s early childhood and concluding in the present, briefly but intimately touching on fatherhood, love, control, and the quest for salvation within and without traditions.

However, Where The River Divides glosses over the conflicts and the relationships, careful enough not to overstay its welcome, and for the most part, it allows the beauty of its scenes and the perfect acting of its cast like Fred Kasuku (Ochanda), Shandra Apondi (Mary), and Benjamin A. Onyango (Okoth) to carry the narrative as it speeds through the limited runtime.

As an artistic expression of a film, the film is beautiful, intimate, and well made to stand above most Kenyan films released today. It doesn’t take the chastity of being one of the first to tell a native Kenyan story lightly, paying enough homage to the socioeconomic environs to suck the audience into its world and paying it off with a thematic narrative.

As a voice, however, as it was clearly intended to be, I do find personal issues with it. If this film were to be released in an industry that produces numerous cultural Kenyan stories like Nollywood, I would rest here and give it all my praise. But it doesn’t. Where the River Divides is the first of its kind, and as visually appealing as it is, I find issue with the fact that the first Kenyan cultural story I’ve seen is so blatantly against the culture it so beautifully portrays.

I understand the film is funded by GNPI (Good News Productions International) Africa and Youth in Christ who are using film as a means to preach the gospel, as is within their rights. And Where the River Divides tells its story as honestly as it possibly can, like the missionaries who brought the gospel to Kenyans all those decades ago but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth when our traditions and cultures are vilified to exalt western salvation.

Perhaps if they had more time, there is reason to believe the makers of this film would have taken their time to reconcile the different ideologies they pit against each other to form the central conflict. Then again, there is more than one example of quality, successful films that use African culture as nothing more than some backward barbarism that heathens need to evolve out of. Like I said, if Where the River Divides was one of many like it in Kenya, telling its own thematic perspective in a sea of others telling theirs, I would gladly exalt it sorely as an artistic marvel. And maybe I will in retrospect down the years when we tell these same stories in our own voices and directions, but for now, I’d rather see a film reuniting our audience with its past, not forging evangelical milestones at its expense.

Where the River Divides is now streaming on My Movies Africa.

Source: https://www.sinemafocus.com/review-where-the-river-divides-is-a-beautiful-cultural-story-that-dilutes-its-significance-by-pandering-to-western-salvation/


This film is the first of its kind, and as visually appealing as it is, it's a shame that such an important Kenyan story is so blatantly against the culture it so beautifully portrays.

Showing posts from film category

A Coastal Celebration in the Capital

ACT OF LOVE to Screen at The Alchemist in Nairobi, after winning Best Short Film and Best Scriptwriter at the Inaugural Mombasa International Film Festival!

Top 5 Kenyan Films Released In 2023

Review: ‘Where the River Divides’ Is A Beautiful Cultural Story That Dilutes Its Significance By Pandering to Western Salvation