Legacy on film

Are you aware that among African lower-middle income countries, Kenyan film producers are ranked among the top? That’s right, Kenyan film makers are doing something right and the world is noticing.

The progression of the film and media industry in Kenya over the years has been captivating. Stemming all the way back to when visual media was limited to televisions, up to the present time when we can access interesting works on various digital and social media platforms, it is fascinating to note that this industry is constantly evolving. A look at the Kenyan industry tells you all you need to know about this industry worldwide.

I mean I wish I was there but I can only pen what I heard from a reliable source, my mother, how enthralling watching on the Great wall television set was.

Growing up in the 2000s and first half of 2010s was perceptive. No slight to the digitally raised generation but hey, we were more attuned with our surroundings and various art forms. At least I was. Movies, films and the entire cinematic world, global and local, was something I found quite hypnotic. I would watch and rewatch then watch again to a point where I’d deliver lines with the characters. I would then go on ahead to narrate these films and movies to my peers in school. I did this for long. Why, you ask? People came. Not one, not two but many. They came, time and again, to hear my voice paint light into meaning, each film a tapestry, each tale a thread they curiously followed.

Growing up with only a handful of Kenyan films was like wandering through a world veiled in shadows, blindfolded from its full vibrant story. Films and movies, I’d like to think, are a visual representation of our society. I kept moving through the years, aging bit by bit, while the world carried on just out of focus. I was oblivious to the state of my country, political, social, or otherwise. The knowledge I had was limited to the surface level content I was fed on news and magazines - things I barely paid attention to and just brushed off. TV shows and programs became the stage where comedy carried the weight of society’s truths. They became the closest mirror. The likes of Inspekta Mwala, Papa Shirandula, Tahidi High and Mother-in-law gave us societal norms in a comedic lens. It was light and informative and worked at the time. A few bold, risqué and then problematic films like Tabasamu and MTV Shuga emerged aiming at addressing societal issues with a more serious tone. Awesome start if you ask me.

There was and still is need for more Kenyan films and movies. Not to sound harsh—I truly love everything Kenyan, but some of the acting in the past films came across as painfully stiff, lacking the natural flow that brings stories to life. This, we have however seen progressively improve over the years. Producers and directors are telling stories the way they need to be told. Shows, films, movies, all tackling trivial and major societal issues leave a blueprint of a society’s life at a certain point in time. The fact that current producers understand this and are always creating works Is a display of just how commendable the industry is now.

The current industry cannot be appreciated without noting that most works today, pay homage to past works. Current works are deeply grounded in a sense of wanting to preserve different Kenyan cultures hence the relevance. The fusion between the past and present has been instrumental in creating amazing works in different art fields. I am curious about different Kenyan cultures and I know films have the potential of giving me this knowledge. There are very few films explaining different aspects of our cultures, especially our ethnicities. We had to have started from somewhere before wazungus came. Dressed a certain way. Ate a certain way. Worshipped a certain way. Studied a certain way. Held religious celebrations a certain way. So much to learn, so little knowledge in films. Our culture is not just in the informal settlements. Not just sheng or the infamous michezo ya town. Far from it. It lives in the 40-plus languages we speak, our diverse values and in all the little things that make us who we are. Yes, the world may be moving fast but we shouldn’t be so caught up in the rush that we lose touch with our roots. That cultural gap we’re feeling is an opportunity we need to fully embrace, before it is too late. This gap I feel should greatly be leveraged.

In all this, we have to appreciate the various avenues we watch movies, shows and films on nowadays. YouTube especially, has been exemplary in showcasing these works. Other streaming networks like Netflix and Showmax are increasingly collaborating with Kenyan producers ensuring content presented is raw and authentically Kenyan. There are more premieres, which means quality works and I anticipate the opportune day I will grace one.

The state of the current film industry in Kenya in terms of content produced like shorts, clips, movies and shows warrants applause. I’ll raise my voice in joyful cheer and champion all those involved in the works boldly, fueling their ascent to even greater heights. That is how I will show my support. After all I’m a Kenyan content lover and not a critic.