Tag: kenya

You’re here because you’re dead. “Kati Kati” (2016)

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directed by Mbithi Masya
© 2016 One Fine Day Films. All Rights Reserved.

I’ve just realised that I haven’t written a post about this film although I saw it several months ago. And I’m angry with myself that I haven’t shared about it sooner, because it’s a real gem of Kenyan cinema. I saw this production on an African film festival and I remember how shocked I was, because I wouldn’t expect Kenyans to work on such a complex and rather controversial topic in their country. Not because I don’t think they are capable of that, absolutely no, quite the opposite, but today’s film might not be appreciated by religious communities and, as we know, Kenya is a very religious country. Yet, they’ve done it and they’ve done it well. The film starts with Kaleche (Nyokabi Gethaiga), a young woman who wakes up in the middle of nowhere. She spots and goes to a lodge, where they tell her that she’s actually dead. The lodge is called Kati Kati and from now on Kaleche has to stay there. The woman is experiencing afterlife in a quite unusual way, which is why I was surprised to see such production coming from Kenya. She realises that all the people in Kati Kati are still struggling with their previous life and what they’ve left behind. Everything you’ll see in this film is deeply philosophical and I was honestly curious how the story would end. Obviously, no spoilers, but the ending was magnificent, in my opinion, with tons of thought-provoking messages. Even though I saw the film many months ago, it’s still stuck in my mind and I’d love to see more of such. Especially since it’s coming from Kenya, a country whose cinema isn’t that popular worldwide. I even said to myself that if this film had been made in the USA, it’d be a huge success. That is why I love discovering the cinema world as I believe there are countless productions worth seeing about which we might never hear of if we don’t put any effort in finding them. I really hope you’ll dedicate an evening to “Kati Kati” and maybe become a Kenyan cinema fan. A bit like me.

My rating: 7/10
S.

To save them all so I can finally fly! “Supa Modo” (2018)

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directed by Likarion Wainaina
© 2018 One Fine Day Films. All Rights Reserved.

Recently an African cinema festival has started in my country (online, obviously) and before buying the ticket I was already pretty much sure that I would see a lot of meaningful productions during it. First film watched and I’m already more than satisfied. I have to tell you one important thing about African cinema – maybe they sometimes lack of equipment or spectacular special effects, but they create stories often better than in any worldwide-known western productions. And I think this film is such little diamond worth checking out. It’s about a little girl named Jo (Stycie Waweru) who’s terminally ill and her mother decides to take her home so Jo could spend her last moments with family, not in hospital. Unlike their mother, Jo’s older sister Mwix (Nyawara Ndambia) believes that the girl is special and she should live her last days to the fullest. Since Jo is a huge fan of superheroes, Mwix decides to ask the whole village to help her make a real superhero out of her little sister. I must say it was a really adorable story, which not only showed the struggles of a family where one is terminally ill, but also how united people can be in Kenya. That for their little neighbour they can do as much as they would do for their own child. And I think it’s beautiful. I’m aware of the fact that this is fiction, but deep inside I feel like such situation could happen in real there. By the way, this film was sent as the Kenyan entry for the Academy Awards, but got no nomination. Maybe you’ll disagree with me, which is absolutely fine, but I think “Supa Modo” is way better written than “Roma”, the winner of that year. I hope my Mexican readers won’t hate me for this opinion, but I’ve always been honest with you, so here we go.

My rating: 7.5/10
S.