Soul Boy
2010 Kenyan drama film
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Soul Boy[1] is a 2010 Kenyan drama film written by Billy Kahora and directed by Hawa Essuman. It developed under the mentorship of German director and producer Tom Tykwer in Kibera, one of the largest slums in the African continent, in the middle of Nairobi, Kenya. The film has received five nominations at the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Tom Tykwer
Guy Wilson
Verena Rahmig
Sarika Hemi Lakhani
Leila Dayan Opou
Krysteen Savane
Frank Kimani
Joab Ogolla
Lucy Gachanja
Katherine Damaris
Kevin Onyango Omondi
Calvin Shikuku Odhiambo
Nordeen Abdulghani
| Soul Boy | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | Hawa Essuman |
| Written by | Billy Kahora |
| Produced by | Marie Steinmann Tom Tykwer Guy Wilson Verena Rahmig Sarika Hemi Lakhani |
| Starring | Samson Odhiambo Leila Dayan Opou Krysteen Savane Frank Kimani Joab Ogolla Lucy Gachanja Katherine Damaris Kevin Onyango Omondi Calvin Shikuku Odhiambo Nordeen Abdulghani |
| Cinematography | Christian Almesberger |
| Edited by | Ng´ethe Gitungo |
| Music by | Xaver von Treyer |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | X Verleih AG (through Warner Bros.) |
Release dates | |
Running time | 61 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Swahili |
| Budget | $16,211 |
The film originated in a workshop for young film enthusiasts from Nairobi, guided by Tykwer.
Plot
The story is about a 14-year-old boy called Abila, who lives in one of the most miserable slums known as Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. One of the biggest slums in East Africa. One morning the teenager discovers his father was ill and delirious. "Someone has stolen my soul", mumbles the father. Abila is shocked and confused but wanted to help his father and goes in search of the right remedy. Supported by his girlfriend Shiku whom he is not even allowed to have friendship with. Abila learned that his father has gambled his life in company of a witch.
The teenager sets an adventurous journey in the Kibera Slum about to look for the witch, that leads him right through his community. When he finally discovers her, the witch gives him seven challenging tasks to save his father's lost soul.[2]
Themes
The film explores themes of family, responsibility, and reconciliation, while also addressing issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and tribal divisions in Kenyan society. Its use of magical realism allows it to tackle these subjects through symbolism and allegory, making the story both universal and locally grounded.
Production and release
Soul Boy was developed through a workshop led by German director Tom Tykwer and produced as a collaboration between Kenyan and German filmmakers. It was filmed on location in Kibera, with many local residents participating in its production. The film premiered in 2010 and was screened at several international film festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam[3] and the Gothenburg Film Festival.[4][5]
Reception
The film received positive reviews for its storytelling, performances, and authentic portrayal of life in Kibera. Critics praised Essuman's direction and the film's blending of folklore with contemporary social issues. It went on to win several awards at international festivals, including the Dioraphte Audience Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[3]
Cast
- Samson Odhiambo as Abila
- Leila Dayan Opou as Shiku
- Krysteen Savane as Nyawawa
- Frank Kimani as Macharia
- Joab Ogolla as Abi's Father
- Lucy Gachanja as Abi's Mother
- Katherine Damaris as Aunt Susan
- Kevin Onyango Omondi as Bojo
- Calvin Shikuku Odhiambo as Kaka
- Nordeen Abdulghani as Willie
- Ginger Wilson as Claire
- Nick Reding as Brian
- John Githui as Matatu Tout
- Tony Rimwa as Mr. Kamangu
- McLean Wilson as Amy
- Jomo Wilson as Rafael
- Godfrey Ojiambo - Thief
- Rogers Otieno - Angry Man
- Tony Rimwa as Mr. Kamangu
- Juma Williams as S.A.F.E. Stage Father
- Sharleen Njeri as S.A.F.E. Stage Mother
- Micheal Babu as Kama
- Paul Njogu as Kimani
- Lydia Makori as Bibi Okello
- Aida Mulafu as Mama Wekesa
- Rose Adhiambo as Mama Akinyi
- Consolata Apondias the Weaver Woman
- Gilbert K. Lukalia as the Gatekeeper
- Jones Onyango Ajwala as the Old Couple - Man
- Clementina Makokha as the Old Couple - Woman
- Christopher Abuga as the Auctioneer
- Alex Jadolo - Thug 2
- Anthony Waweru - Dead Man
Awards and nominations
| Year | Awarding Organisation | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | International Film Festival Rotterdam | Dioraohate Award | Soul Boy | Won | [3] |
| 2010 | Carthage Film Festival | Narrative Feature Film | Soul Boy | Nominated | [6] |
| 2011 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Film | Soul Boy | Nominated | [7] |
| 2011 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Director | Hawa Essuman | Nominated | [7] |
| 2011 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Young/Promising Actor | Samson Odhiambo
Leila Dayan Opou |
Nominated | [7] |
| 2011 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Editing | Ng'ethe Gitungo | Won | [7][8] |
| 2011 | African Movie Academy Awards | Best Screenplay | Soul Boy | Nominated | [7] |
| 2010 | Africa International Film Festival | Feature Film Competition | Soul Boy | Won | [9] |
| 2010 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Lead Actress Film | Leila Dayan Opou | Nominated | [10] |
| 2010 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Lead Actor Film | Samson Odhiambo | Won | [10] |
| 2010 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Supporting Actress Film | Krysteen Savane | Nominated | [10] |
| 2010 | Kalasha International Film and TV Awards | Best Short Film | Soul Boy | Won | [10] |
| 2010 | Kenya International Film Festival | Best Actor | Samson Odhiambo | Won | [11] |
| 2010 | Kenya International Film Festival | Best East African Film | Soul Boy | Won | |
| 2010 | Zanzibar International Film Festival | Signis Award | Soul Boy | Won | [12] |
| 2010 | Afrika Filmfestival Leuven | Veto Award | Soul Boy | Won | |
| 2010 | Festival Ciné Junior | Special Mention "Passeurs d’images" prize | Soul Boy | Won | |
| 2010 | Festival Ciné Junior | The Young Jury Prize | Soul Boy | Won | |
| 2011 | European Spiritual Film Festival | Best Fiction Award | Soul Boy | Won | |
| 2011 | Kirchliches Filmfestival Recklinghausen | Best Children's Film Award | Soul Boy | Won | [13][14] |
Reception
Critical response
Andrew Onyango reviewing for KenyaBuzz was impressed by how much "surreal" the world of the movie is, adding that the scripts use of Swahili strengthened the film's impact: "The Swahili speaking audience (particularly those exposed to the dialect being used) feel a powerful sense of identification. There is nothing like hearing it firsthand because the translation loses some of the impact of the words."[15]