As part of our mandate to promote local film and develop a screen culture, the Kenya Film Commission embarked on its monthly mobile screening initiative on January 24th 2009 at the Kawangware’s “Kongo stage grounds.”
The van (above) going round the estate before the sceening.
Mobile cinema has been an effective tool of communication over the years. Mobile cinema has brought messages of hope, health, empowerment, awareness, entertainment, education, information to people who have no access to cinema halls. The idea has worked extremely well especially in rural areas.
Staff of the Film Corporation of Kenya carrying out a publicity campaign before the screening
One of the Sinema Pamoja Projects feature films “Pieces for Peace” produced and directed by Robert Bresson and Mburu Kimani was screened at this event. Members of this community only get to watch a local Kenyan film through the efforts of the Commission. Other times, they are subjected to action oriented American/ European movies (sometimes even Chinese films!)
“Pieces for Peace” tells two different yet interconnecting stories of ordinary Kenyans, living ordinary lives that are suddenly thrust into the scenarios connected and surrounding the post election crisis. It highlights the effects of historical injustice & prejudice, institutionalized neglect, the disregard of Human rights by both the general population and the establishment and the injustice that many where forced to undergo due to no fault of their own. The stories revolve around two broad themes.
Scenes (above) from Pieces for Peace
“Tough Times” scripted and directed by Mburu Kimani, tells the story of a couple desperately wanting to marry who are torn apart by their family’s tribal prejudice
“LR 45” scripted and directed by Robby Bresson about a family who where fighting over control of the family’s only asset, a plot of land, but who now, given the post election violence have to come to terms with each other.
A scene (above) from Pieces for Peace
The Commission has committed to make mobile cinema screenings a regular event and will make maximum use of this medium to spread the message of local content.
Taking cinema to Kenyans around the country is one of the most effective ways of encouraging audiences to appreciate their very own productions and support the local film industry.
