4 Nov 2010

When they grow up

I am sitting at the Filmmakers Lounge at Le Merigot Hotel in Santa Monica, open in front of me catalogs from film distributors, Entourage mailbox showing me I have 100+ unread emails, my diary next to me with meetings to make, confirm, get out of...and nothing matters right now than the video I have just watched.

A year ago, August 2009 to be precise, we opened the Kibera Film School. All the students needed to attend the school was a passion for film making and talent. It did not matter the background, educational or social. Open only to the youth of Kibera. The students from Class of 2009 graduated in March of this year. One of the programs that came out from that Class was Kibera TV. It was not an easy thing to get going. These young people were going to go out in their community, Kibera, collect stories, edit them and upload them to the internet. They had to figure out how to do stories that were captivating, interesting, moving... ans they had to do them frequently. And they have.

Less than 1 year of Kibera Tv being online, they have told stories that would have otherwise never seen the light of day. They have covered issues that matter to them, highlighted successes, failures, ambitions, dreams...and they have made it their own.

They uploaded a video on Facebook today and tagged me. They have told the story of Kibera TV, what they do, why they do it and how they do it. It made me cry. It was not sad...it was moving. For me, to have watched them come this far, to see the work they are doing right now tugged at my heart strings. It is liking watching your child grow, take the first steps, then run.

It is the knowing that I have had something to do with that, that my efforts have enabled someone be able to be all they can be and even way better. It is the knowing that from now on, you can take away everything from those youth but you can never take the knowledge, the passion and the talent that they have.

They are holding up the middle finger to the world and saying...You thought you forgot me? I'm here b*^ch!

Go Kibera TV!!

This is the video i am talking about:

27 Oct 2010

Though shall (n't)get busted!

There is a radio show in Kenya called busted. It works like this. Partner A suspects Partner B is cheating. A calls the radio station and explains the situation to the presenter.  The presenter comes up with a 'story' and calls up partner B. Usually, B will say something stupid that will lead to her/him being caught cheating.

In this particular show, a man suspects that his wife is cheating on him with her boss. The wife has been 'working late' a lot and he is beginning to doubt any work  is getting done at that time of the night. He  calls the radio show asking for help. In this episode, the presenter pretends to be the wife to the boss... listen on..

More from Vancouver

Vancouver Beach
Me at Stanley Park
Nate at Stanley Park

Around the world - Vancouver

A few weeks ago, Nate and I left for Vancouver.  After the culture shock ( we were staying on Davie Street, Google it), we settled in quickly. We were busy, not much to sight see, but we did manage a visit to Stanley Park and the seaside (or their version of the beach).  See, for me, if the beach does not look like this-- basically, miles and miles of white sand and blue water, then it doesn't count as a beach.



We also got to eat the best hot-dogs i have ever tasted by the sea side, right next to these people:

The are the most amazing (hilarious thing). A little info about them -

Yue Minjun uses his own iconic face in a state of hysterical laughter as a signature trademark. Recognized universally as a sign of happiness, the smile raises questions of intent and interpretation. One of the most influential contemporary artists in China, Yue Minjun represents the new wave of Chinese artistic freedom.
A-Mazing Laughter marks Yue Minjun’s Canadian debut. 

31 Aug 2010

Random unoriginal notes

 Saw this a while back, then saw it again today on another blog. Just thought I'd spread my un-originality.

The Geography of a Woman
————————
Between the ages of 18 – 21 a woman is like Africa or Australia. She is half discovered, half wild and naturally beautiful with bushland around the fertile deltas.

Between the ages of 21 – 30 a woman is like America or Japan. Completely discovered, very well developed and open to trade especially with countries with cash or cars.

Between the ages of 30 – 35, she is like India or Spain. Very hot, relaxed and convinced of its own beauty.

Between the ages of 35 – 40 a woman is like France or Argentina. She may have been half destroyed during the war but can still be a warm and desirable place to visit.

Between the ages of 40 – 50 she is like Yugoslavia or Iraq. She lost the war and is haunted by past mistakes. Massive reconstruction is now necessary.

Between the ages of 50 – 60 she is like Russia or Canada. Very wide, quiet and the borders are practically unpatrolled but the frigid climate keeps people away.

Between the ages of 60 – 70 a woman is like England or Mongolia. With a glorious and all conquering past but alas no future (a bit like Tony Blair, maybe Blair’s a women really).

After 70, they become Albania or Afghanistan. Everyone knows where it is, but no one wants to go there.
My note - Add Australia here :-)

The Geography of a Man
————————
Between the ages of 15 – 70 a man is like Zimbabwe – ruled by a d***

29 Apr 2010

An article about me on ScreenAfrica

Just thought i'd share this with you.

Its an article about me that on last months ScreenAfrica magazine.

The journalist called me 'Smoking Hot' .

See it here. Scroll to page 15.

27 Apr 2010

Forgotten (not)

No, i haven't forgotten how to write. Better yet, I haven't forgotten my readers. And no, its not that there is nothing new to report, sometimes life gets in the way of living.

Last time I updated you was in February.

Whats happened since then...well, Kibera Film School students graduated on March 27th. For me, it was like a birthday celebration of a rebirth. 9 months before, 10 students had enrolled in the film school's pilot project. 8 of them were graduating that day and the joy on their faces is something that keeps me going when i feel like i have bitten too much that i can chew.

The same month saw the nomination of our first feature film, Togetherness Supreme, which i produced (if you don't know that by now, I blame it on the media who never get my name right!)  to the Africa Movie Academy Awards, in 4 categories - Best film in an African Language, Best Child Actor  ( two children nominated), Most Promising Actor and Most Promising Actress. In April, the main actress and I traveled to  Nigeria for the Awards. We won in 2 categories - Best Child Actor ( the 2 kids), Most Promising Actor. See, now you know someone almost famous...and i will take this opportunity to invite you to join our facebook group.

Now we have been working on the premiere of the film in Kenya, which as of yesterday, has been scheduled for May 29th 2010 at the Impala Grounds. Its an invitation only event, better start lobbying me for those tickets eh? Immediately after, we will start screening the film in Kibera and other informal settlements in Nairobi. If you are in the Facebook Group, you get to see the updates on where its happening :-). You are also invited to help...or you can request a screening of the film in your area (even outside of Kenya). We take break in June as we like soccer too (and it's in Africa, so yeah!!). In July, we go on the road for a national wide Road show in Kenya. We will be screening the film outdoors in the evenings and holding peace and reconciliation workshops, live entertainment etc during the day. If you are in Kenya and you would like to get involved, drop me a line...

What else? Oh, Kibera Film School next intake is ongoing and the classes are scheduled to start on May 3rd. Volunteers welcome.

Love life. That happens here.

So that's it. Doesn't sound as if it would keep me away from my lovely blog, but it did!