Nairobi Half Life

A gangster movie from Kenya: funny, sad, brutal. It was the first Kenyan film ever entered into the Best Foreign Film Oscar race. Produced by German Star Tom Tykwer. Mwas, a young Kenyan from the country, has a dream. One day he hopes to be a celebrated star of the stage. He undertakes the long journey to Nairobi. The city is loud, wild, ttally different from what he has experienced and thus completely overwhelms Mwas. One day he is robbed on the street and becomes destitute and helpless. In his critical situation he slowly descends into Nairobi's underworld. He starts with petty crimes, graduating to bigger jobs with more loot at stake. He soon is targeted by corrupt cops who threaten his life. Mwas has to think fast and choose between easy money and his dream...

Keywords

  • Arthouse
  • Decolonize
  • Kinoherz
  • Africa
  • social drama
  • urban living

Actors

  • Joseph Wairimu
  • Olwenya Maina
  • Nancy Wanjiku Karanja
  • Mugambi Nthiga
  • Paul Ogola

Director

  • David 'Tosh' Gitonga

Crime, Thriller


1h 36min


12 FSK

SW


DE

Kenya
2012
A gangster movie from Kenya: funny, sad, brutal. It was the first Kenyan film ever entered into the Best Foreign Film Oscar race. Produced by German Star Tom Tykwer.

A gangster movie from Kenya: funny, sad, brutal. It was the first Kenyan film ever entered into the Best Foreign Film Oscar race. Produced by German Star Tom Tykwer.


Mwas, a young Kenyan from the country, has a dream. One day he hopes to be a celebrated star of the stage. He undertakes the long journey to Nairobi. The city is loud, wild, ttally different from what he has experienced and thus completely overwhelms Mwas.


One day he is robbed on the street and becomes destitute and helpless. In his critical situation he slowly descends into Nairobi's underworld. He starts with petty crimes, graduating to bigger jobs with more loot at stake. He soon is targeted by corrupt cops who threaten his life. Mwas has to think fast and choose between easy money and his dream...

Festivals

Cast & Crew