Nairobi Half Life

Nairobi Half Life

Film poster
Directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga
Produced by Sarika Hemi Lakhani
Tom Tykwer
Ginger Wilson
Written by Billy Kahora
Potash Charles Matathia
Samuel Munene
Serah Mwihaki
Starring Joseph Wairimu
Music by Xaver von Treyer
Cinematography Christian Almesberger
Edited by Mkaiwawi Mwakaba
Release dates
  • 19 July 2012 (2012-07-19) (Durban Film Festival)
[1]
Running time
 96 minutes
Country Kenya
Language Swahili
English
Sheng

Nairobi Half Life is a 2012 Kenyan drama film directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga. The film was selected as the Kenyan entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, but did not make the final shortlist, and is the first time Kenya has submitted a film in this category.[2]

At the 33rd Durban International Film Festival, Joseph Wairimu won the award for Best Actor.[3]

It won the most awards at Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2014.[4][5]

Plot

A young man, Mwas (Joseph Wairimu) still lives with his parents in their rural home in Kenya. He makes a living by selling western action films, he dramatically acts and portrays most of the action figures in his films in order to entice his customers. He is an aspiring actor, and when he comes across a group of actors from Nairobi performing in his town, he asks one of them to help him jump start his acting career. But, in return, he is asked to give ksh1000 (approximately US$10) in order for him to be cast in one of the plays. He can only afford ksh500 and is told to take the other 500 with him to the National theatre in Nairobi. He is very excited, and, after receiving some money from his mother, he embarks on his journey to Nairobi with a brief stop over in his town to bade his friends goodbye. He meets his cousin (a gang leader) who gives Mwas an expensive radio system and some money to take to Khanji electronic shop in downtown Nairobi.

After making his way to Nairobi, he quickly learns that there is more to Nairobi than just opportunities and glamour. On the first day, Mwas loses everything he has to Nairobi thugs and is left stranded and confused especially because he knows no one. He gets arrested and even spends a day in jail. In a twist of events, he meets a Nairobi crook Oti (Olwenya Maina) who becomes a close friend and takes him into his criminal gang. The gang itself specializes in snatch and grab thievery with vehicle parts being their main targets. During this time, Mwas auditions and successfully lands a part in a local play set up by Phoenix Players. He finds himself struggling and juggling the two separate worlds. Mwas finally meets his cousin again who ends up forcing him to steal a car in order to clear his debt. He convinces the gang to move up from stealing parts to stealing cars in order to earn more. During that time, he falls in love with Oti's onscreen love interest Amina, coming to see her at the lodgings at which she receives customers and even taking her out to the films.

Cast

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kenya: Nairobi Half Life Nominated for the 85th Oscar Academy Awards". Allafrica.com. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  2. ↑ Vourlias, Christopher (26 September 2012). "Kenya chooses 'Life' for Oscar contest". Variety (Reed Business Information). Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "2012 Durban International FIlm Festival Winners". Durban IFF. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  4. ↑ "Nairobi Half-life, The Contract, Flower Girl win big at Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria.
  5. ↑ http://www.hapakenya.com/nairobi-half-life-wins-big-africa-magic-viewers-choice-awards-2014-amvcas/

External links

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