I am because we are
The statement above rang true after the Kenyan premiere of the Kenyan-Nigerian joint production, SAFARI. But before we get into the making, let’s dive deep into the story, spoiler-free of course.
Safari follows Mrs. Farooq played by Osas Ighodaro, a disenchanted wife of a Nigerian politician visiting Kenya on a safari vacation, who becomes entangled with a local ‘beach boy’, played by Emmanuel Mugo, who is accused of the gruesome murder of a British tourist.
Right off the bat, the film was driven by the chemistry between Mugo and Ighodaro, their performances drew one in, from the flirtatious demeanor of Mugo to the grounding and commanding screen presence of Ighodaro, one could not cast their eyes away.
The cinematography gave the impression of a two-hour advertisement for Kenya as a tourist destination, with shots that made one question whether they really knew the country they were living in. It wasn’t just for spectacle’s sake, but the perspective of a character first landing in Kenya.
Going back to the first statement, producers Reuben Odanga and Obi Emelonye, together with the cast and crew, emphasized the cooperation between them as creators from different African countries in making the film possible, an art driven by pan-Africanism.
This brought me back to what we as Kenyan filmmakers discuss often, collaboration, but this time let’s look beyond just the financial angle and delve deep into ourselves and dismantle egos and ulterior motives in making our pieces. Everyone has a brand, but we are also part of something bigger. May the spirit of Ubuntu not only function in a single or handful of projects, but also be a foundation in bringing Kenyan films to world stages and the betterment of the livelihoods of each and every filmmaker.
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