Cinema Society

NAIROBI HALF LIFE

Average
Rating

4.2

Tuesday, March 12, 2013, AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

On Screen: 4:30pm and 7:30pm (You Pick!)

AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres (Auditorium #9)

Cinema Chat and Introduction begins 15 minutes prior to screenings

Discussion follows screenings

Kenya Oscar® Submission

Audience Award, Breakthrough Winner,

2012 American Film Institute Film Festival

NAIROBI HALF LIFE

Despite his parents' wishes, Mwas leaves his small village and embarks on a journey to Kenya's capital in order to pursue a career in acting. Naïve and filled with hope, he quickly learns why the city is nicknamed "Nairobbery."

A few innocent mistakes land him in jail, which eventually leads Mwas to connect with a gang. Although he learns how to survive in the dangerous and sprawling urban center, Mwas is torn between his new lifestyle of theft and violence and his dream of becoming an actor.

Rising talent Joseph Wairimu delivers a strong performance as a charming and compelling character that never forsakes his dreams. Emerging from the One Fine Day Film Workshop, a German-Kenyan collaboration, director Tosh Gitonga's debut feature film is Kenya's second-ever official submission for the Oscar®

Running Time: 97 Minutes

Not Rated

PLEASE NOTE: NAIROBI HALF LIFE is in Swahili, Kikuyu and English with English Subtitles

Send a Comment

15-Mar-13: PC - Rating: 4

Agree with every comment. A very good movie. A necessary movie. It was good to hurt and see the pain. While knowing it was not a true story, "It was indeed a true story of everyday life in Nairobi". Thank you again, Andy, for the diversity you bring each week. Thanks to you, we all grow outside our box.

13-Mar-13: Linda Cipriani - Rating: 4

I sent a version of this e-mail to Andy a little while ago and he encouraged me to post my comments here - I haven't done this before.

In short, I said:

. I thought yesterday's movie was very, very good and thought-provoking. I cannot understand why people would walk out on the movie (unlesss they truly became queasy) and I almost wish for the second show that you hadn't told us that a few people watching the first show had.

. The message the protagonist of the piece delivers at the end: "You have a choice, to look, or look away" symbolized to me what the filmakers were trying to tell their own country about the situation in Nairobi and about themselves. I thought these young first time filmakers were very brave to take on the subject on behalf of their own country (which as other commenters have noted is also a pressing issue in other countries and addressed in other movies we've seen).

. The larger message is a challenge for us, too. Do we look or look away? For all those who may claim disgust with the movie, I would encourage them to get outside their bubble and spend a day in the jails in San Diego - or some time in juvenile hall - or at the "last chance" schools in San Diego for high school students whose lives have 100% exposure to San Diego gangs.

. In the same vein, in my e-mail to Andy couldn't help but respond to some of the negative ("disgusting, "appalling,"shocking" etc.) comments about "Putzel", particularly the scene in the deli counter. Really. Let's debate whether the scene was needed in the overall context of the film, but spend some time volunteering with Voices for Children or Casa de Amparo, or attend a trial at the Vista courthouse where a five year old is called upon to testify to sexual abuse by a family friend or relative. That's shocking.

Finally, I told Andy to don't stop being brave, and to continue to go outside his comfort zone for movies when they are good and make us think - and I meant every word.

13-Mar-13: Jan Percival - Rating: 5

Agree with all comments posted. This one will stay with me and bother me. Thank you Andy. Great choice.

13-Mar-13: Mroe - Rating: 4

I am glad I stayed through the entire movie and the 9min “behind the scenes” (not that I would ever consider leaving before a movie was over). The jail scene was not as bad as I thought, disgusting and gross yes but my imagination had it going way worse. This is one of those films that is so powerful and moving and I am always left with “what do we/I do now?”...is this a plea for help or a lesson in not taking what we/USA has for granted? I am happy for those young students being given an opportunity to not only learn a craft but learn a way to communicate and shine light on their stories and plights.

13-Mar-13: pb - Rating: 5

Thank you Andy. This is such a fine movie in every way. Acting was top notch, directing was impressive. The Germans deserve kudos for assisting these young talents and teaching them so much. I became so engrossed in the story and watching the young star move between his two lives. that the "grittiness" became bearable. The end was very well done.

12-Mar-13: RichG - Rating: 4

What a surprise tonight's submission turned out to be. The story, while not original, was done superbly. Kudos to the first time director in balancing the humor with the horror. His eye of poverty rivals Danny Boyle of SlumDog Millionaire. Painful to watch at times this film was rich for the young man's complicated life. Who knew Kenya could produce such wonderful talent. Thank you Andy for taking the risk you did. So much better and thought provoking than Safe Haven.

12-Mar-13: Jim - Rating: 4

Art imitates life.

Powerful film, better than Amour.

12-Mar-13: Georgi - Rating: 4

I am surprised Andy Friedenberg showed this movie. Surprised and very glad. Tough to watch. Gritty? Yes. Real? Yes! Every moment rang true...especially when juxtaposed to the "play within the play." Hard to believe this was for all intents and purposes a student film. From the acting, the cinematography, screenplay and direction...near perfect story telling of living in physical and spiritual muck and using that to be all that you can be. Thank you Andy for taking the risk. Hope you will be encouraged to take more.