It’s a well known fact that when it comes to Kenyan movies, we are seriously slacking. With all the talent we have in the arts, it’s a shame that we only have one or two notable movie releases in a year. But with that said, it seems that lately when movie makers decide to make a good movie, they go ALL OUT.
Kenya has long been a popular destination for filmmakers with the readily accessible wildlife, spectacular landscapes and traditional cultures making it the perfect cinematic setting for a range of productions including the Academy Award winning Out of Africa, the real-life murder mystery White Mischief, and, more recently, To walk with the lions, the biopic of famed conservationist George Adamson.
Other productions include 14 Million Dreams (2003), 6000 km di paura (1978), Haba na Haba (2013), The baisikol ( 1997), Balloon Safari (1975), Boran Herdsmen (1974), Boran Women (1974), The First Grader (2010), Flip Flotsam (2003), Forest Chainsaw Massacre (2006), From a Whisper (2008), Nangos (2009), Nairobi Half Life (2012), Rise and Fall of Idi Amin (1981), The Rugged Priest (2011), Saïkati (1999), Shuga (TV series) (2009), Something Necessary (2013),The Stigma (2007) just to mention a few.
An aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya dreams of becoming a success. In pursuit of this he makes his way to Nairobi: the city of opportunity! It goes without saying that Nairobi Half life is the biggest movie Kenya witnessed in 2012 and dare I say in a decade. The only movie that has ever been submitted to the Hollywood Oscars and has literally put Kenya on the film map (if one does exist).
Riverwood is a movement, a revolution, a transformation, a destiny and a film future of limitless possibilities. In a special event, the ensemble was launched in the presence of key government figures in the creative docket. Many Kenyans are aware of the vibrant and busy environment that has built the Riverwood film scene but the intricacies of where it has been and how it has to where it is remain unclear.
Riverwood is part of the solution. If the business model is adopted as part of the national film policy, it can offer a lot of solutions for the industry. The way the men and women run this industry means that if there was more government involvement in terms of understanding the model and appraisals, the Kenya film industry would grow rapidly and reach international acceptable standards fast.
The local film industry generates employment, fosters economic activity and preserves the nation’s culture. It also is an avenue of transferring morals and values and contributes to the evolution of social and democratic processes.
It is also a useful tool of tapping artistic energies of creative Kenyans, and a vehicle for diversification of exports as local films can be marketed in other countries. The money spent in the local economy during location filming has been a major boost in creating employment.
No comments:
Post a Comment