THE KENYAN FILM INDUSTRY

By Wayne Angweye

Kenya has been a popular destination and location for the filmmaker and film production respectively. But why is this?. This is because of its nature based which include wildlife, beaches at the coast, the physical landscape and the diverse culture. The Kenyan landscapes have provided an immense variety of location for filmmakers seeking a perfect location. One of the most common location is the Maasai Mara. The Maasai mara has impacted the Kenyan film industry mainly by serving as a stunning backdrop for numerous films documentaries and television shows. This has also boosted tourism and showcased kanya`s wildlife to aglobal audience. The main unique features that has made the place a sought-after location for the film maker in both kenya and international levels are the unique landscapes, the great wildbeast migration and the wildlife.

Some of the films are:

“Out of Africa” [1985] : this is a film based on Karen Blixen’s memoir about her life on a coffee plantation in what was then British East Africa [Kenya] and the film sought to authentically potray the landscapes and setting of her story. The film creators, including director Sydney pollack, wanted to capture the beauty and essence of the Kenyan landscape and colonial setting that Blixen described in her book. The Maasai Mara national reserve, the Shaba National reserve and the Aberdares mountain range had the qualities they needed. The film also features scenes depicting Nairobi and the Ngong hills where the Blixen’s farm was located.

“The big cat diary”: This was filmed in the Maasai Mara National Reserve because it’s a world-renowned location for worldlife, particularly big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards offering an ideal setting to document their lives in their natural habitat. The series aimed to capture the daily lives and struggles of these big cats in their natural environment and this backdrop was well provided by the Maasai Mara. Other wildlife series such as BBc earth’s “dynasty” and animals planets “big cats tales” are also filmed in the Maasai Mara.

Jonathan Scott who are well known for their extensive knowledge of the marsh lions of the Mara have been documenting the lives of these animals.

“The constant gardener”: The film was filmed in Kenya to ensure the authentic portrayal of the Kenyan landscape and to highlight the issues in the film which rooted in the Kenyan context. Fernando Meirelles seek influence to shoot the movie in Kenya where the story is set rather than South Africa where much of Africa’s film industry is located because he wanted to capture the authentic flavor of Kenya location. The film explores the ethical issues sarounding pharmaceutical companies and their dealings in developing countries and the Kenyan health ministry role in human drug testing, which is the central theme of the story. Filming took place in Loiyangalani and the slums of Kibera because of the lives and challenges people faced. The cast and crew were so moved by the state of the lives and the challenges of the people of Kibera that they set up the constant gardener trust to provide basic education for them.

“lion king”: The animators and artist of “The lion king” traveled to Kenya to study its landscape and wildlife drawing inspiration from the countries diverse terrain wildlife to create the film.The vast open savannas, dramatic sunset and sunrise and the bushland or areas like the Maasai Mara inspired the look of the pride lands. The specific locations were:

Pride rock: animators were inspired by a rocky outcrop in northern Kenya

Hells gate national park: The dramatic landscape in great rift valley including cliffs covered by a prehistoric lake served as inspiration for pride rock

Mount Kenya: Mount Kenya served as inspiration for the cloud forest in the movie

Maasai Mara: The Maasai Mara known as “The land of big cats” was used to film scenes especially the opening sunrise scene which was filmed in an area called “Rhino ridge”

Other areas include the sand dunes of Namib desert and the areas around lake Turkana inspired the parched arid land and the dry lakebeds around Mount Kilimanjaro were used to create the look of the area where Simba collapsed after his desert crossing.

Kenya is not only known for providing the best filming locations but it has also produced films that have made it to the streaming platforms such as Netflix which is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of award winning tv shows, movies, anime and documentaries. This movies include:

Nairobi half life:This movie focuses on a young, aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya who dreams of becoming a success in the big city. It is directed by David “Tosh” Gitonga and it feature stars such as Joseph Wairimu, Olwenya Maina and Shix Kapyenga. The movie has won 15 awards and got nominated nine times.

40 sticks: It is a thriller based on a group of prisoners trapped in a crushed prison bue strive to stay alive when they realize there is a mysterious killer lurking in the shadows. It’s directed by David Gatonye. It features actors such as Mumbi Maina featured as Martha, Nyakundi Isaboke featured as “prisoner 8” Robert Agendo featured as Pablo e.t.c

It’s us “Ni Sisi”: Ni sisi tells the story of a Kenyan village, a harmonious muddle of tribes, intermarriages and extended families in the context of postelection violence. The characters explore issues on corruption, political bribery, racism and gossip. Friends who lived and worked together consumed by rumors and mistrust. However, horrific consequences are avoided when the community pulls together to avert further violence. The main message in Ni Sisi is people have responsibility and power to control what happens to them and that racist attitudes and negative stereotypes of other tribes can be overcome. It has won 4 awards and 9 got nine nominations.

Other movies that have made it to the platforms are: veve, nafsi, the first grinder, married to work and many more. Other than having great film locations it has also provided then international film industry with great actors such as Edi Gathegi who was born on March 10,1997 in Nairobi Kenya. He is an actor and producer known for X-men; first class [2011], Gone baby gone [2007] and Crank [2006].

Lupita Amondi Nyong’o was born March 1,1973 in Mexicocity, to Kenyan parents Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o. Her father a senator was then visiting lecturer in political science. She was raised in Kenya. At age 16, her parents sent her back to Mexico for seven months to learn Spanish, she read film studies at hamphire college Massachusetts and after working as a production assistant on several films she graduated from vale school of drama. She was the lead in MTV’s award winning drama series Shuga [2009], appeared in the thriller non-stop [2004] and had roles in the big-budget film star wars: episode 7 and Jungle book [2016]. Other big names include Owiso Odera, Veena Sood, Manoj Sood, Susie Figgis, Zena Marshal .

To keep the film industry thriving and getting emerging talents, institutions have been put in place to provide students with film studies. In kenya, notable institutions offering film studies include the Africa digital media institute [ADMI] Kenya institute of mass communication [KIMC] Visualdo institute, Kamata school and Media art colledge. They all have got unique features they focus on:

Africa digital media institute: It’s known for integrating technology, creativity and entrepreneurship into the film industry.

Visualdo institute: Visualdo stands out for it’s practical hand-on film training approach and cutting edge facilities.

Kamata school: It’s known for investing heavily in modern equipment and providing lessons based on current trends in tv and film production.

Shang Tao media art college: This college is a pioneer in 3D animation and multimedia training in Kenya offering programs in animation, film and television focusing on relevant and effective training.

The kenya film industry has a promising future with growing productions, international acknowledgement, government initiatives to foster it’s development despite challenges like funding and piracy.