Wanuri Kahiu Back with 'Pumzi'

Following her critically acclaimed film From a Whisper, Kenya’s multi-award winning director is back with a new film, Pumzi. In an interview African Screens’ Don Omope speaks with Wanuri Kahiu about her new film, her quest to engage more with her Pan-Africanness. Read more here

Director of Pumzi, Wanuri Kahiu (R) and lead actress, Kundzani Moswela on set 

 

Was Pumzi a conscious decision on your part to shoot a sci-fi film or was this necessitated by the script you had in hand?

I never actually had an interest in Sci-fi, Pumzi was written in two years and was a combination of many different conversations I had with people around me.

The first conversation was about a world were you had to buy fresh air. Another conversation was about the need for a virtual museum, a museum of virtual natural history were we will have stimulated images of nature because our relationship with our environment is not sustainable.

It was a series of different conversations with different people that came together as Pumzi.

There are subtle similarities between the 1976 film Logan’s Run and Pumzi, were you familiar with the works of film director Michael Anderson? 

I have heard of the film by Michael Anderson but have never seen it, I tend to get a lot questions saying sci-fi isn’t an African film genre, so when I was creating this film I stayed away from watching sci-fi films not to be influenced wrongly by such films because I wanted this sci-fi to be a uniquely African experience.

How did you go about researching your film?

I knew specifically what I wanted to achieve and I watched fantasy films to see how their sets are built because they have beautiful sets. When I write I do visual research at the same time.

I believe in sharing my ideas, so when I write I speak to people around me, telling them this is the idea I am doing and they are usually very resourceful, sharing ideas with me and pointing me in directions of things I might not have been aware of, but are very useful to the formation of my idea.

You have come a long way from your university film ‘Ama’s Mama’, then you shot ‘Ras Star’ and went on to direct the multi-award wining ‘From a whisper’ and now we have ‘Pumzi’ - what would you say is your approach and perhaps philosophy as a visual story teller?

This is very tied in with my identity; I have to chose very carefully which type of films I make, because it’s very difficult to make films in this part of the world.

I have to be very careful about our representation of Africa because there are many old stereotypes still around, we have to show a different image of Africa, a new Africa people can relate to, I don’t see this as a choice I see it as mandatory.

We show an image Africans can identify with; stylistically sometimes my films choose me I don’t choose them. And within these films I have to find a permanence that resonates with me, and one thing I continue to work with is the idea of belonging… and this resonates across my films.

I use my experience to explain the experiences of others and I feel more often than not we Africans are often looking for a sense of identity, belonging, a sense of place. 

Pumzi questioned our relationships with our environment, are you an environmentalist and if you are, is there any issue close to your heart?

Yes I am an environmentalist; I think that anybody who says he or she is not is really denying. Our relationship with water and things related to water is close to my heart and that’s part of the reason I wrote Pumzi.

I don’t like bottled water because it takes more water to make bottle water. Pumzi is my anger, my anger about the way we continue to live as people. 

What qualities must a story satisfy to be of interest to you as a filmmaker? 

I have a very particular interest and a resolute one too. I must say in strong female characters, and this has becomes more and more important for me everyday.

Also my stories need to take personalities out of the norm, be it emotionally or otherwise, I am drawn to good stories and the possibilities of a good story, because a good story always sells irrespective of location or geography. 

A trend I have noticed in your films, is the use of very strong female lead characters, (using Ras Star as a case in point) are your films mirrored on your experiences of everyday life in Kenya and the role women play?

There is this curiosity that comes out when people ask me what it is like to be a female filmmaker? I don’t know I have never been a man.

This is the most natural place for me to write from, following closely on that, when I write female characters I see more and more the need for them, case in question, Nina Simone.

This was an emotionally devastating story for me as a woman; and I feel it is the duty of any female filmmaker to champion the writing of robust female characters that are challenging, and not the stereotypical depictions of female characters being very maternal, motherly type characters, or beautiful women weather attainable or not attainable, there is more to the female character than that. 

Which African filmmakers have inspired your film-making and are there other African filmmakers whose work you have found to be of interest?

Recently I am interested in people of my generation like Caroline from Uganda, she shot the nice film Imani, but also the older generation, Ousman Sembene, Oumar Sissoko, Harooun etc.

But I grew up on a literary background so my main influence have come from writers, like Chinua Achebe, Ben Okri.

What new thing have you found out recently that as being of interest to you? 

As a result of Pumzi, travelling has become dear and close to my heart, I discovered the idea of my pan-africanness, what it means to be pan-African in modern Africa, and one of the things I want to do is to travel more across the continent and learn about my pan-africaness. 

Reviewing the film, Pumzi by Wanuri Kahiu

Good Night Kibera Launch

 

Since the 2007 post election violence, the slums of Kibera have been perceived as a place of danger, violence, extreme sadness and despair. But, 2011 is the time for Kibera to shine as one of the friendliest slums in Nairobi. 

A place where there is hope rather than despair, where happiness exists rather than sadness; a place where people can achieve their dreams regardless of economic or social status. In 2011, Goodnight Kibera will be showcasing over 12 months, a series of short films documenting the lives of the Kibera community. Goodnight Kibera symbolizes the beginning and end of each day in which individual residents of Kibera will guide us through their daily activities/lifestyle.

These will include people such as football players, local water vendors, matatu drivers/touts, local area and religious leaders, shoe shiners, activists, music producers and performing artists and many more. The aim of Goodnight Kibera is to show life in Kibera after the 2007 post election violence and how this has impacted on their present living status. Contrary to popular belief, the project will enable a positive light to shine on the Kibera community with a focus on the forthcoming general elections in 2012.

The 12 part series will merge together to provide an overall view of life in Kibera and Goodnight Kibera will focus on the following areas: * Political * Individual lifestyle * Music and performing arts * Religion * Equality These areas have been chosen particularly due to the ways in which they influence the development of the Kibera community. Each of the characters that will be shown in the Goodnight Kibera short stories will have a unique influence to the Kibera community, which will then be presented to the global community. 

Moreover, the characters that will be assisting in the production will have the opportunity to tell their story as they see it and be rewarded for their time. This reward will provide not only much needed income, but also greater representation as a citizen in the global community rather than an individual living in the slums. In producing these short stories, everything that will assist in the production will be taken from the Kibera community. This includes: manpower, music, location and their original ideas. Overall, it is hoped that Goodnight Kibera short stories will demonstrate that in spite of all that has happened or been said since the post election violence, the Kibera community still continues to flourish and that the future belongs to those who dare to dream. Goodnight ndio riddim – the new greeting in Kibera town!"

Letter From New York

By Osei G Kofi | AfricanColours.com

Africa My Love ... Cindy The Heart

The Fishing Dutchmen in Malindi

From left: Captain Robert, The Penn Brothers van Berkel, and Jan Mas with and Emiel van de Werf at dinner inside the luxurious Clue.

On a typically humid afternoon in Malindi town tuk tuk vans rave their way on the miraged tarmack past Malindi Museum and the old Poruguese cemetry just a few metres from the rotting Vasco da Gama pillar. 

A right turn unveils a welcome sign painted with two sailfish. The Sailfish Club is for fishermen and lovers of the fishing game from all over the world who enjoy the sport in the coastal town of Malindi.

 

Known for its deep blue waters with abundant fish foods (plankton), Malindi coast has been described by many fishermen sometime referred to as anglers, as one of the big game fishing paradise of the world.

To attest to this, one of the world's leading fishing equipment maker, Penn, oganizes the 'Penn Challenge’, a tournament that attracts anglers and enthusiasts from all over the world tha takes part every year off Malindi. Explained one fisherman.

Emiel van de Werf has lived in Malindi town for the last 23 years since he came as a toursist. An astute and successful Dutch businessman, he landed in Malindi away from the hard and cold winter of his native home south of Holland, "just to take a short holiday" .

His love for deep-sea fishing ensured he returned, and settled 'for good in Malindi'.

In 2001 he entered the world record with a catch of 162.02 Kg silver tip

shark, and an ‘all-tackle record’.

He has since become a Kenyan citizen, and runs his businesses in the sun-drop town with aplomb. His own a resort in the heart of the town; Sail Fish Club, operates almost solely for deep sea fishing sportsmen and women.

The black-tip shark caught by van Berkel aboard Tega weighed about 70 kilos.

Two fishing Dutchmen, known among the fishing fraternity as the Penn Brothers, Jan Maas and Frans van Berkel were already enjoying their game in the sea from the club in a town informally known as 'Little Milan' , already in preparation to defend their title in this year's Pen Challenge in March. 

Last year’s championship was being fished by over twenty five fishermen from Holland and Belgium on eleven boats. 

The duo left in the early hours, before the sparrows are awake, the air crisp and fresh and there is a light breeze blowing on your face, and the sky is black and the stars are clear and bright.

 
And then they swang. The motors were warm now, the captain pushing the throttles and made the boat leap out the water towards an orange line on the Arriving at their boat, it was methodically prepared and checked,

horizon as sun then rose making a golden highway on the water, 

sea birds birds crying, the water swishing past boat's hull.

They arrived at their first way point, set their lines way out towards the sun

following the golden highway whilst scanning the horizon for any (bird) activity.

"Presence of sea birds indicates presence of bait fish", explained the captain.

Then suddenly they see something in the distance, "the game is on", 

shouted one of the crew in Swahili, and they quickly headed towards it.

For a about half an hour, they trawled.

The powerful motor engine's sound renting the ocean air. Occasional marine communication radio could be heard on the background each vessel spread across the sea announcing their updates. A tuna here and wahoo there!

Then the out-rigger snapped as they arrived. This was the moment, and

the split second seemed like eternity as they turned around to watch the rod

suddenly bend, the line go tight and the reel starts to growl and a large shape

leaped out of the water repeatedly making splashes as it hit the blue water.

Everyone on the boat was filled with adrenalin and the hook was set, scuttling

around clearing the lines whilst the rod stayed bent as Frans reeled in the line

the first wahoo for bait.

Deep sea fishing is a great adventure sport, a chance to get out to the open seas to explore what the deep waters can give as an adventure.

The wind, the waves, the view it is a perfect weekend ticket away from
the bustling metropolis where the only chance to a relaxing ocean view
is when on the pages of a travel magazine.

Watching how to lure, reel and haul a mammoth catch, one also gets to meet underwater creatures that you only enjoy watching on television.

Beautiful dolphins, sharks - yes Mas caught a 70 kilos white tip shark ...
tunas, marlins, wahoos, and sea turtles all give a spectacular scene as the vessel chartered deeper waters in which they live.

"For those who like new adventures and challenges, deep sea fishing will
come as a new frontier. And it is not a team sports", as Emile warned.

"You have to struggle with the fish. You either win or the monster on the other side of the line will. Luring and hooking the catch is only half of the adventure, you battle with your fish".

When he broke the world record, Emiel's certificate awarded by International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recognized an 'all-tackle record'. 'It took him over two hours to bring the shark onto his boat.

One has to keep in mind that he was in the open sea. On the second day of fishing aboard Captain Robert's luxurious boat Clueless, they had traveled 70 kilometers into the Indian Ocean for an overnight trawl with depths of sometimes over 3000 feet but only chanced on a

tuna in the early evening.

"Fish in these areas are strong swimmers, something that they use to elude predators, bigger fish and yes, us, anglers" Says Captain Robert as he sipped

his coffee after a turbulent night of unclear waters full of green debris.

This game has a lot of surprises in store most often times, even seasoned fishermen like Emiel aren't spared from it. "But you have to work for it, it is part skill and part luck, the unexpected will comes when you get to face a biter at the end of your line, the one that you have been patiently and fervently looking forward to".

"Then a battle ensues. A fishing battle is like a duel", warns Emiel.

"A display of strength and endurance, man over fish or fish over man". To fishing aficionados, the battle is termed as the 'dance' says Captain Robert.

Once Frans hauled a fish out of the water, it was amazing to see a fisherman's face, even experienced ones like Emile flurry through a heap of emotions as they view the catch. They hugged and patted each other and

promised a toast later, which they did.

With the element of surprise and a handful of luck, one may even catch
fish of unimaginable size, shape, colour and most of all, species.

Remember when a crew of a Kenyan trawling vessel MV Venture II caught
an odd looking fish that turned out to be a species, Coelacanth, long
thought to be extinct some 65 million years ago.

There was never a trip where the anglers got the same results. Every trip was different from the previous which gives this sport its edge, as Frans says.

As the sport continues to add the much needed direct foreign currency

to the tourism economy, much more still needs to be done to attract more anglers and enthusiasts for a full exploit of the potential. 

Councilor Otieno has headed the Malindi Town Hall Tourism board formed to oversee ways of improving the sector at the  municipality, and he conceded that “to attract more visitors to Malindi,a lot still needs to be done, in terms of beach cleaning, and even line the beaches with beautiful palm trees among others.”

Says Emiel: "proper publicity by the Kenya Tourism Board is yet to capture the deep sea fishing aspect of Kenyan tourism at the coast", and he believes that "the image that he got as a young boy in Holland of Kenya of only mountains, lions and Maasai roaming barefoot must change".

He likens countries like Malaysia's eco-tourist strides in recent past to planned meditated publicity plan, saying "tourism is an effective development tool, that would no doubt have a major positive impact in Malindi”.

He believes the Kenya Tourism Board has a job to do. "Necessary interventions should be put in place to improve the quality of tourism in general in the country so that fishermen will choose to come here instead of other destinations"

At the fishing club in Malindi, one can see the passion of the anglers as they gather after a day's excursion, and Captain Robert summarizes it when asked why, of all the places, Kenya, for his Australian-built expensive boat, Clueless: "Malindi is going to be the world capital for bill fishing soon" He said.

Managing Kikuyu - Kalenjin conflict in Ndeffo, Njoro, Kenya

 DETRIBALIZING THE NATION: LESSONS FROM THE RIFT VALLEY PROVINCE IN KENYA

 

Ogiek tribes children stand near tree stamp in Mauche settlement scheme of Mau Forest Complex in the Rift Valley Kenya. (Reuters)

•  MANAGING KIKUYU - KALENJIN CONFLICT IN NDEFFO, NJORO KENYA

  
  

  eat me|102by138cm|acrylics on canvas

The first of a series of exhibitions known as 'Spherique Indian Ocean Art' is on at The Plan Hotels in Malindi. The Gallery which has its base in the Maldives has great plans for Indian Ocean Art – “to ignite the art scene at the Indian Ocean countries’ coasts” aiming to foster creativity beyond the touristic souvenir arts and crafts to more contemporary visual arts as spelt out on the show fliers. 

The exhibition offers said to be an opportunity to redefine the perception of art at the coast beyond the crafts is co-sponsored by the Plan Hotels.

It is a visual arts exhibition showcasing over 15 major artists including Adrian Nduma, Charles Kamya, Douglas Musyoki, Erick Shitawa, Geoffrey Mugwe, Idi Omari, Joshua Mainga, Joseph Cartoon, Mary Ogembo, Peter Elungat, Peter Ngugi, Peter Kenyanya, Robert Karanja, Salah Ammar, Sebastian Kiarie and Yassir Ali.

The show opened on the 26^th December and will continue for four months at the Coconut Beach, Tropical Village, Malindi Beach and Dream of Africa resorts - all part of the Plan Hotels.

The exhibition is organised and curated by William Ndwiga of The Little Art Gallery, Nairobi, an outfit that is slowly redefining ‘the visual art exhibition space’ locally. It has in the resent past one year organised exhibitions in spaces such as public areas and people’s homes with the aim of ‘taking Kenyan art to the people’.

The concept of Indian Ocean Art was hatched by Mr Carlo Cipolini, an art lover from Switzerland with the support of the Maldivian Government where he has business interests. He says the idea is to be having an annual international visual arts exhibition rotating around the Indian Ocean countries with Dubai as the hub.

These countries include artistically rich Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar, Tanzania and Kenya. It is hoped that as the exhibition grows, so will its coverage both in countries and genres of creativity exposed.

The project aims to cultivate the Indian Ocean region as an authority in arts and culture with an international export and tourism appeal.

And Ndwiga says that the coordinating body is The Spherique Indian Ocean Art Gallery which has created a network of local country links that are responsible for marshaling the local art scene towards the exhibition. “In Kenya, The Little Art Gallery is doing the ground work”.

Although the project has kicked off, organisers are still sourcing for funds and partners in the effort. The main sponsors who have been approached include HSBC, Emirates and Plan Hotels – the latter having so far come in into foray with a hosting offer.

“At the country levels, the organisers will be very interested in working hand in hand with the local Arts, Culture and Tourism organs of the government and private sector. The first international Indian Ocean Art exhibition will be in the Maldives and Dubailater in the year” He adds.

And the general sentiment of the people towards the exhibition is “amazing; they are, (visitors) especially captivated by the quality of Art on show. Ndwiga juxtaposed that it is such a breath of fresh air from the constantly duplicated ‘red Maasai’ paintings and shabbily done wildlife art on the Kenyan curio shops and beaches”

In March, The Plan Hotels intends to make an exclusive invitation to the exhibition to participating artists, Kenyan art collectors, private and public sector dignitaries with an interest for arts and culture in the country.

Civil Rights Activist Robbed at Gun-point by Kenyan Police

Odhiambo addressing the public at a past activists' rally in front of Parliament Buildings.

Civil rights activist and Poverty Transition Initiative CEO Fred Odhiambo was recently robbed at gun-point by members of the dreaded Administration Police personnel attached to The Nyayo House Complex as he arrived in the city at dawn from his South Nyanza village visit.

They picked him moments after he alighted from a bus in front of I&M Building on Kenyatta Avenue as he prepared to cross the road to find a matatu to his Ngong residence. They took him at gun point and marched him to Nyayo House compound where they ordered him to lie face-down as they ransacked his pockets hand-bags.

They drank my fruit juice and ate biscuits meant for my children and forced me reveal my SIM-PIN as they transferred all my money to one of the officer's phone number identified as Edward Wachira by the Safaricom statement print-out available to The Star.

"Together with my personal effects such as phone and tapes with video clips of my activism work, everything was calculated to cost 100,000 shillings". he told The Star after a meeting Thursday with four accused officers who were escorted to Central Police Station by their unit in-charge identified as Mr. Kinywa from Kariokor AP Post.

“They got me scared, two guns on my head on a chilly morning, threatening to kill me instantly” if he tried to raise alarm.

Odhiambio's claim to fame came for his attempt to pass a message to President Kibaki and PM Raila Odinga during a national day celebration at Nyayo National Stadium (presently Coca Cola Stadium) in 2008.

He successfully breached security and sat just a mere three rows from the President, settling on a chair, unseating government minister George Saitoti for 1 hour. The Security detail around the president and PM only got of this breach when he tried to walk to Kibaki on the podium.

At the 'hearing' inside the DCIO's office today, the officers begged for mercy, sobbing uncontrollably as they found it hard to explain their action against an innocent civilian, contrary to their good call of duty to protect.

One of the officers begged for forgiveness saying "he has a wife and children, and is paid very little to even take care of them".
A visibly angry DCIO didn't want to hear of it until Odhiambo agreed to an offer to settle out of court if all his property stolen by the officers are returned by 20th January.

The Administration Police Service (formerly force) are infamous for their trigger-happy escapades and have been in a long standing call by civil society to be disbanded.

An AP officer shot dead unarmed demonstrator in Kisumu city during the chaos sparked by the post-election stalemate of early 2008. The officer acted undisturbed. It is believed to have been used to inflict atrocities and rape on civilians during the post poll violence in the country in early 2008 by Waki Report.

Kenyan Civil Society in Push for Unity

 

John Githongo and Prof. Yash Pal Ghai at Ufungamano House

last Friday.

Civil society organisations have come together last Friday at Ufungamano House and today at Freedom Corner inside Uhuru park with a renewed call for energy, unified and coordinated approach to keep an eye on issues of reform and the new constitution implementation.

'The activists were from different organisations and platforms "all looking in the same direction" said one of those in attendance who introduced himself as member of Bunge La Wananchi.

And this came as a precursor a planned address to the media and public at Freedom Corner inside Uhuru Park this Sunday, where they will present a list of demands to the President and the PM that will include the need to rid the government of corrupt elements and those mentioned adversely in corruption related matters and the ICC.

In what Mr. Githongo called ''real genuine energy and commitment manifest in the turn out today'', the conveners say plans are afoot to facilitate a consortium with renewed solidarity to ensure the government moves quickly in implementing the new constitution.

Speaker after speaker decried the slow pace of reforms and constitution implementation. Kepta Ombati underscored the need for a paradigm shift and that the civil society was still stuck in a particular ways of doing things'', yet others stressed need for civic empowerment and education as well as participation.

Other memebrs of the pannel were Gladwell Otieno,George Kegoro, Abubakar Zein.

Suspects Contravene ICC Directive and Meet

Kass FM radio presenter Joshua arap Sang (front Left) 
and  Eldoret North MP William Ruto, (Centre) and cabinet 
Minister Samuel Poghisio during a prayer meeting at 
Eldoret Sports Club on Friday. 

Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Kass FM talk show host  Joshua Arap Sang were spotted in public for the first time since they were named by the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo as among the suspected masterminds of the post-poll chaos in Kenya in early 2008. 

The move seemed to contravene Mr Ocampo’s strict conditionality, that had warned that the people under investigation should not meet or contact each other.

They attended a prayer meeting convened by spiritual leaders affiliated to Emo (Kalenjin for a calling) Foundation.

According to a story appearing on The Star January 1-2, 2011 Emo "whose members are mainly from the Kalenjin community yesterday denied any involvement in 2007-08 post-election violence as 14 Kalenjin MPs revealed they are ready to mobilise a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Raila Odinga".

Following the December 30, 2007 results of a hotly-contested presidential poll results, ODM leader Raila Odinga and supporters rejected the declared victory of incumbent PNU's Mwai Kibaki, alleging it was the result of rampant rigging sparking attacks and counter attacks on civilians by rowdy young people (ODM) and police force for PNU.


The Protests degenerated into widespread bloodletting as decades of economic frustration and ethnic rivalry spiraled out of control.

More than 1,200 people were killed and some 350,000 displaced, with an equal number seeking refuge with friends or relatives.

Gangs of youths blocked roads and set fire to hundreds of homes of perceived ‘enemies’. 

Photo|Jared Nyataya|Nation