Trendy Film Report: Gangster Flick Could Be Kenya’s Ticket to The Oscars

Settling real life into motion is the only way to garner a visceral response and possibly echoes of accolades. And that’s exactly what has befallen Nairobi Half Life, a pulsating film debut from Kenyan director David “Tosh’ Gitonga.

It’s a call to arms for a country that has been besieged with crime and negligence on a level that threatens to hamper the progressive vibe of its citizens. Gitonga tasked himself with the dire need to understand how the cultural quilt had overturned to a degree where crime had become an acceptable means of communication in a society rife with poverty and desperation.

After delving into the trenches of apocalyptic strife, Gitonga amassed a wealth of knowledge from the soldiers of war who despite their weariness, still forge ahead, determined to prove their unwillingness to accept the hand they have been dealt, no matter the consequences.

It is clear that these youngsters are not enjoying the role they have opted to play but the spiral struggle refuses to give them a free a pass, as they become more and more disillusioned with the gaping gap between the rich and the poor.

The film’s protagonist, Mwas played by Joseph Wairimu embodies the character of a restless warrior, ready to initiate his dream of becoming the next “Bruce Willis” by moving to Nairobi but he unfortunately becomes the victim of armed robbery upon arrival and this welcomes a series of events that prove to be sporadically fateful.

Gitonga admits that he hopes his film will capture the attention of local government officials in way that will move them to fully understand the intensity of what they view as mindless “petty crime”. The issue can no longer be dismissed as an idle pass time; it is eroding the quality of life of helpless dwellers and demands thorough examination.

In the meantime, Nairobi Half Life has become a spirited global ambassador, depositing puddles of awesomeness in every depot it settles in.

The awards have already started pouring in, including Best actor at the Durban International Film Festival won by Joseph Wairimu this past July. But the biggest excitement stems from rumblings that there is a high possibility Oscar may come knocking which will be a historical occurrence. The U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is currently considering adding the movie to its pile of Best Foreign Language Film contenders. This would be the first time a Kenyan film has been given such an honorable consideration.

As expected Gitonga is proud and humbled that his film has been so enthusiastically received and naturally hopes that the momentum will continue to grow and encourage filmmakers of African descent to boldly share thought-provoking stories that aim to increase global tolerance and appreciation.