Pumzi (2009)

The second review for our new blog - Pumzi (2009)!

Type - Short Fiction

Genre -         Sci-fi, Furturistic

Director -         Wanuri Kahiu

This film is definitely in the top 10 list of best Kenyan short films - a list we’ll compile in the near future!  In fact, Pumzi would also qualify to be on a ‘top something’ list of best short films of all time … Written and directed by Kenya’s finest director, Wanuri Kahiu, Pumzi lodges a heavy brick of responsibility into the conscience of whoever watches the film.  What is central to the theme is climate justice or if you will, the impact of deforestation.  Honestly, from a technical filmmaking point of view this film nails it on all fronts: production design, drapery, sound design and cinematography.  The lead actor, Kudzani Moswela, offers a smooth delivery of her role as Asha leaving us in empathy as we egg her on throughout the film to its semi-melancholic conclusion.

SPOILERS from here, so if you haven’t seen the movie yet I urge you to watch it first (freely available on YouTube) then return for this review where you could also chime in with your thoughts.

The film starts in a dystopian futuristic (presumably African country) reality where trees are extinct and water has seemingly replaced diamonds and gold as far as things of super-value go.  This fantastic imagery confronts the audience with a grim reality that’s a consequence of the current aloofness to climate change prevalent in most parts of the world both in ideology and practice.  I also noted that the inhabitants of this dystopian world seem not to talk and do so via technology again alluding to the fact that that too (talking physically) may be a privilege long lost and now every waking moment seems to be one directed to the conservation of energy needed for survival.

The scenes smoothly ease into each other and at no point in the film is one left bored but instead the viewer is rendered eager to see what Asha, the main character, does next to pursue her new discovery.  Wanuri’s meticulous crafting of the script is one of the key elements that makes this short film a success in visual narration coupled with unique sets and drapery that carry the story to completion.  I wonder if Wangari Maathai watched this film because she would have loved it as much as I do!  In fact, this is a film that anyone considering themselves a human being should learn to love and embrace for very obvious reasons.

We are eager to watch Wanuri’s new film Rafiki (2018) and likewise re-runs of her past work (e.g. From A Whisper).

Rating - 4/5 stars

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Review by Robert Mũnũku