People who make ‘Top 10’ lists usually end up on a hit-list! In truth such lists are incredibly hard to create given the sea of talent that’s out there. That said, we can not all agree, so here goes our top 10 list of Kenyan Film Directors - please do feel free to share your own list and more importantly, WHY the people you choose are on it.
Here goes!
10. Oprah Oyugi
Oprah is a one of those individuals whose creative fabric never seems to run out of surprises; a great writer as well as one of the few filmmakers who can literally easily oscillate between roles from being behind the camera to serving other roles such as a production assistant (e.g. Sense 8 series) to directing.
Her more recent work is a web series titled Serving Single whose pilot episode is available on YouTube. We are definitely looking forward for more creative work from this lady.
9. Jennifer Gatero
Most of us probably remember the T.V. Series that aired momentarily on KTN called Better Days; well, this was conceptualised and written by Jennifer. Jennifer has a style I personally prefer in film; that of subtle storytelling or, if you will, the use of subliminal messaging as opposed to the literal method which often emerges as preachy. Jennifer is also a prolific content creator with a number of shorts to her belt most of which are available online for view: Deathless, A Beautiful Coquette, Granted among others.
I’m definitely looking forward to a feature film from this film prodigy.
8. Zippy Kimundu
Zippy is one of Kenya’s gem documentary filmmakers, one with an eye for stories that need to be told but those that are all so often not. For me, however, Zippy’s best work is Burnt Forest (2013) - a very timely narrative that unearthed the much needed conversation on ethnic tolerance in the country after a violent 2007 general elections.
Do check out her other work: In Shadows, & Give Me Back My Home.
7. Tosh Gitonga
On number 7 is the talented man who gave Kenya reprieve from bad local films - Tosh Gitonga. Tosh gave us Nairobi Half Life (also our first film to review) in 2012 which went on to be one of the most iconic films in Kenya’s cinematic history.
Tosh is one of the versatile types that also finds his way quite capably on small screen having directed the T.V. series Beneath the Lies. I definitely want to see more big screen work from this man.
6. Judy Kibinge
If you do not know Judy Kibinge you probably live in an underwater cave somewhere deep in the Indian Ocean. Judy gave us the landmark feature fiction film A Dangerous Affair (2002) at a time where Kenya only had 3 T.V. stations unless of course you were rich enough then to buy a satellite dish for cable. This one film had us glued to the T.V. guides eagerly awaiting a re-run or simply had one sent to bed because their parents thought they were too young to watch it - either way we loved the film!
Judy went on later to do a number of productions like Project Daddy (2004) as well as Something Necessary (2013) which was necessary (pun intended) at a time the country had just come from a terrible election period that saw ethnic violence erupt in various parts of the country. What I like most about Judy, beyond her very obvious acumen for film, is her choice to use filmmaking for social commentary a thing she would further amplify by founding her own production company Docubox Africa. Judy Kibinge, in my view is one of Kenya’s contemporary film pioneers who can not be ignored if one is to sensibly understand the local evolution of film. I urge all to check out her work.
5. Likarion Wainaina
You probably know his name as the director of the recently released film Supa Modo, but what you may not know is that Likarion has been making films for years. From a number of shorts (i.e. The Audition & Bait) to working extensively as a cinematographer on various sets.
Likarion in my view is the closest we have to a Stanely Kubrick though, in my opinion, I prefer him much better behind the camera as a cinematographer.
4. Alex Ikawah
On number 4 we have a person who is arguably Kenya’s most creative human being - Alexander Ikawah. The only reason this guy is in 4th place is because many of his creative ideas are probably still in his head! Someone get this man a budget!
Alex comes packed with a creative punch few possess; he can write extremely well (a 2-time commonwealth short story prize nominee), he can direct, he can act, he can operate cameras & he can edit! Just to mention a few: Relay Point Omega, Heartshot, Uyu Ni Mwariguo, Watu Wote, Kihuruta and many more are but a taste of productions that have Ikawah in the credits.
3. Willie Owusu
If Judy Kibinge is the queen of contemporary filmmaking in Kenya then Willie Owusu is probably the king. A prolific filmmaker, Owusu has produced several short films, documentaries and music videos for a period spanning over one-and-a-half decades, often as a cinematographer and director. Many actors who are now popular and well-established were heavily featured in Willie’s earlier works e.g. Niini Wacera.
What I like most about Owusu is his fearless approach to experimental filmmaking - Flight Path (a monologue) being one of my favourites of his. Willie also tends to ‘draw-out as much blood’ from the script as is humanly possible by having unusually long scenes often with little or no dialogue - a style that I disliked at first given my proclivities to the opposite approach of being to the point. Willie has been quiet for a while but we surely want to see him back, especially with a feature film.
2. Mbithi Masya
Mbithi gave us Kati Kati (2016) but long before that movie nerds like us already knew him as an artist with a voracious knack for churning out content in various forms. Also having produced a number of shorts in his earlier years, Mbithi remains one of Kenya’s most creative filmmakers.
A capable script writer and director, Mbithi (like Alex Ikawah above) is probably one of the few creative individuals who promise to gift Kenya with its first polymaths. Please give us more and more and more and more films!
1. Wanuri Kahiu
Yes! The top spot goes to none other than Wanuri Kahiu - Kenya’s finest filmmaker. To begin to describe her creative prowess would be an exercise in futility, best we can do is to urge you to check out her work.
My favourite work of hers to date remains Pumzi (2009) which, by the way, is online for free viewing. I am yet to watch her recent release, Rafiki (2018), but I can almost bet my life that it’s gold!
So there you have it! Kenya’s Top 10 Film Directors. Please do share your views on your favourite Kenyan filmmakers and your own top 10.
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Article by Robert Mũnũku
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