Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dates
Vincho and Zippy will be at Cannes from the 16th of may. Please find them at the short film corner and Cinema du Monde.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Cast Bios
Bertha Kangongoi- Tara
Bertha Kangongoi’s background is in journalism. She has worked for various Kenyan and international publications. Resurrect is her first acting role. She met the director at a Nairobi restaurant where she asked her to audition for the role of Tara since the actor cast for the role was no longer available. She got the role and went on to impress the director.
Tara- In the film, Tara is a young woman caught at the cross roads of either supporting her father or the young man she has feelings for. She is also the narrator of Resurrect and links the different stories.
Iddi Magina- Kijana
Iddi Magina’s background is theatre. Besides being an actor, he is also a stage manager at the Phoenix theatre in Nairobi. Iddi originally cast to play Mawazo switched roles when the director could not find a suitable actor to play Kijana.
Kijana- Kijana is young up coming politician who is not sure of himself. He runs for the Kijiji parliamentary seat at the urging of his friend Mawazo and the girl he admires. At home, his grandfather, Babu (played by Kenyan scientist- Philip Osula) is constantly nagging him to go home and offer sacrifice at his mother’s grave. It is a clash of generations.
Clement Arua Argwings – Maneno
Clement Arua is a high school teacher primarily. He auditioned for the role of Gideon but the director cast him as Maneno. Clement did not rehearse much with the rest of the cast since he schedule, as a teacher was tight. In the end, he played to perfection.
Maneno- Maneno is an old politician leading a population of very young constituents. At first, he is very popular, and then during the second elections, when he is not popular he rigs the elections. Things go wrong in different households. Eventually, the villagers decide that killing him is the key to a bright future.
Angel Waruinge- Bibi
Angel Waruinge is an established actor. She is well known as Ms. Morgan in local television show Tahidi high. The director knew from the beginning that she wanted to cast Ms. Waruinge. It was a question of schedule. Eventually everything worked out and Angel was on board as Bibi.
Bibi- Bibi is a frustrated housewife whose husband is abusive and cheats on her. The important thing is that she has access to money that finances Kijana’s campaign during the second elections. After she votes, she meets her husband with his mistress and pours liquid on her. Her husband fearing that she had poured acid on his mistress batters her and she miscarries. Bibi resolves that chopping off his penis is the only way out.
Gilbert Lukhalia – Gideon
Gilbert Lukhalia is also a veteran actor in both TV and theatre. He is part of the Undone Theatre Group and currently acts in Siri a local TV series. Gilbert was among the last people to be cast as the director wanted to be sure of who plays the complex character of Gideon. When she watched a short film that Gilbert directed and starred in, she was sure he was the man.
Gideon- He is a rich man married to Bibi. He cheats on her with Keremensia and makes no apologies for that. Gideon is also prone to hot tempers and in such moments he batters Bibi.
Other Roles
John Mark- A local TV star plays Mawazo, Kijana’s best friend.
Bobby Muga- another local TV star plays Man, Maneno’s right hand man.
Mitch Ruoth Nyangaya- An eleven-year-old TV star plays Mtoto, a young girl who watches as the events unfold.
Tawi Nyangaya- Plays the older Mtoto
Naomi Wanjiru- a local TV and theatre star plays the role of Upendo, mtoto’s mentally challenged friend.
Moses Ombuge- Local writer plays the journalist.
Musa Mohammed- up coming film star plays the clinical doctor.
Evelyn Akinyi- up coming theatre and TV actor plays Grace, the elections official
Eva Kerubo-a novice actor plays the Gladys, a woman obsessed with dogs
Sankey Kenga- a local actor plays Bwana, Gladys husband
Pauline and Diana- act as the official party girl
Bertha Kangongoi’s background is in journalism. She has worked for various Kenyan and international publications. Resurrect is her first acting role. She met the director at a Nairobi restaurant where she asked her to audition for the role of Tara since the actor cast for the role was no longer available. She got the role and went on to impress the director.
Tara- In the film, Tara is a young woman caught at the cross roads of either supporting her father or the young man she has feelings for. She is also the narrator of Resurrect and links the different stories.
Iddi Magina- Kijana
Iddi Magina’s background is theatre. Besides being an actor, he is also a stage manager at the Phoenix theatre in Nairobi. Iddi originally cast to play Mawazo switched roles when the director could not find a suitable actor to play Kijana.
Kijana- Kijana is young up coming politician who is not sure of himself. He runs for the Kijiji parliamentary seat at the urging of his friend Mawazo and the girl he admires. At home, his grandfather, Babu (played by Kenyan scientist- Philip Osula) is constantly nagging him to go home and offer sacrifice at his mother’s grave. It is a clash of generations.
Clement Arua Argwings – Maneno
Clement Arua is a high school teacher primarily. He auditioned for the role of Gideon but the director cast him as Maneno. Clement did not rehearse much with the rest of the cast since he schedule, as a teacher was tight. In the end, he played to perfection.
Maneno- Maneno is an old politician leading a population of very young constituents. At first, he is very popular, and then during the second elections, when he is not popular he rigs the elections. Things go wrong in different households. Eventually, the villagers decide that killing him is the key to a bright future.
Angel Waruinge- Bibi
Angel Waruinge is an established actor. She is well known as Ms. Morgan in local television show Tahidi high. The director knew from the beginning that she wanted to cast Ms. Waruinge. It was a question of schedule. Eventually everything worked out and Angel was on board as Bibi.
Bibi- Bibi is a frustrated housewife whose husband is abusive and cheats on her. The important thing is that she has access to money that finances Kijana’s campaign during the second elections. After she votes, she meets her husband with his mistress and pours liquid on her. Her husband fearing that she had poured acid on his mistress batters her and she miscarries. Bibi resolves that chopping off his penis is the only way out.
Gilbert Lukhalia – Gideon
Gilbert Lukhalia is also a veteran actor in both TV and theatre. He is part of the Undone Theatre Group and currently acts in Siri a local TV series. Gilbert was among the last people to be cast as the director wanted to be sure of who plays the complex character of Gideon. When she watched a short film that Gilbert directed and starred in, she was sure he was the man.
Gideon- He is a rich man married to Bibi. He cheats on her with Keremensia and makes no apologies for that. Gideon is also prone to hot tempers and in such moments he batters Bibi.
Other Roles
John Mark- A local TV star plays Mawazo, Kijana’s best friend.
Bobby Muga- another local TV star plays Man, Maneno’s right hand man.
Mitch Ruoth Nyangaya- An eleven-year-old TV star plays Mtoto, a young girl who watches as the events unfold.
Tawi Nyangaya- Plays the older Mtoto
Naomi Wanjiru- a local TV and theatre star plays the role of Upendo, mtoto’s mentally challenged friend.
Moses Ombuge- Local writer plays the journalist.
Musa Mohammed- up coming film star plays the clinical doctor.
Evelyn Akinyi- up coming theatre and TV actor plays Grace, the elections official
Eva Kerubo-a novice actor plays the Gladys, a woman obsessed with dogs
Sankey Kenga- a local actor plays Bwana, Gladys husband
Pauline and Diana- act as the official party girl
Director Bio
Vincho Nchogu is a Kenyan nomadic filmmaker. After graduating from the Kenya institute of mass communication in 2003, Ms. Nchogu travelled through East and southern Africa working on Audio and visual productions.
Even though she works both in audio and visual production, Ms. Nchogu has defined herself more in the visual industry. She has been involved in different projects in different capacities.
Some of these projects include, Art direction for Imani, Uganda’s first feature film shot on a red, assistant direction for Hand in Hand soap opera, producing and directing TV shows like 3w, an events program. She also adapted eleven video documentaries- African transformation into radio programs.
Ms. Nchogu has directed different development films in East Africa including Wonder stove- a documentary on energy conservation. She is committed in celebrating great African artists. In 2007, she organised a tribute to Okot p’Bitek renown Ugandan poet where she asked east African filmmakers, performers, musicians and poets to re-enact p’ Bitek’s literary works for free.
The tribute re-enforced Ms. Nchogu commitment as conscious filmmaker. In light of this, Ms. Nchogu is in postproduction of a ten minute short, Death of Me, which explores inter-racial relationship. A black girl takes her Mzungu fiancée to her mother driving her nuts because she saw her father brutally murdered by white colonialists. This film will debut at Amakula Kampala international film festival in November this year.
She has directed a couple of independent short films like Fala, exhibited at various East African film festivals and at the New York video Dumbo. Her latest short film Resurrect will debut at the Cannes international film festival in the short film market corner.
Currently, Ms Nchogu is working on Antidote a fictional drama that explores witchcraft and violence. Visual Asili estimates that the film is to be filmed mid 2010 and released in 2011. She is also working with playwrights to adapt China Wines, a film script for stage.
Even though she works both in audio and visual production, Ms. Nchogu has defined herself more in the visual industry. She has been involved in different projects in different capacities.
Some of these projects include, Art direction for Imani, Uganda’s first feature film shot on a red, assistant direction for Hand in Hand soap opera, producing and directing TV shows like 3w, an events program. She also adapted eleven video documentaries- African transformation into radio programs.
Ms. Nchogu has directed different development films in East Africa including Wonder stove- a documentary on energy conservation. She is committed in celebrating great African artists. In 2007, she organised a tribute to Okot p’Bitek renown Ugandan poet where she asked east African filmmakers, performers, musicians and poets to re-enact p’ Bitek’s literary works for free.
The tribute re-enforced Ms. Nchogu commitment as conscious filmmaker. In light of this, Ms. Nchogu is in postproduction of a ten minute short, Death of Me, which explores inter-racial relationship. A black girl takes her Mzungu fiancée to her mother driving her nuts because she saw her father brutally murdered by white colonialists. This film will debut at Amakula Kampala international film festival in November this year.
She has directed a couple of independent short films like Fala, exhibited at various East African film festivals and at the New York video Dumbo. Her latest short film Resurrect will debut at the Cannes international film festival in the short film market corner.
Currently, Ms Nchogu is working on Antidote a fictional drama that explores witchcraft and violence. Visual Asili estimates that the film is to be filmed mid 2010 and released in 2011. She is also working with playwrights to adapt China Wines, a film script for stage.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Resurrect at Cannes
Good news- resurrect will be screened at the cannes short film market corner this year. The festival dates are 13- 25th of may 2009. This will be the first public screening.
The film director Vincho Nchogu and the assistant director Zippy Nyaruri will at be cannes to meet and network with other filmmakers world over. Besides Networking and attending screening, the two will be part of panels that will discuss emerging african cinema.
The dates and venues for the screening and the panel will be posted on this blog. If you would like to attend the screening and the discussion please leave a comment and we will keep you posted.
The film director Vincho Nchogu and the assistant director Zippy Nyaruri will at be cannes to meet and network with other filmmakers world over. Besides Networking and attending screening, the two will be part of panels that will discuss emerging african cinema.
The dates and venues for the screening and the panel will be posted on this blog. If you would like to attend the screening and the discussion please leave a comment and we will keep you posted.
Visual Asili
Visual Asili was established december 2008. Visual Asili aims to create films that break the norms in order to establish a style that is uniquely East African. One precise example is Resurrect a short film that is linear but with three stories in one. There is no main character and every character is as important as the next. This concept is drawn from tarditional african perfomances, where the soloist was not the star but the provider of the tune and all villagers could be stars for seconds.
Currently, Visual Asili is producing documentries on Education, Transport and astronomy in East Africa.
In 2010 and 2011, Visual Asili will produce a feature film titled- Antidote that will be shot in Kisii, Nakuru and Nairobi. For further info, please feel free to contact Emily Wanja, Zippy Nyaruri and Vincho Nchogu by email. vision.asili@gmail/zybez@gmail.com/
Currently, Visual Asili is producing documentries on Education, Transport and astronomy in East Africa.
In 2010 and 2011, Visual Asili will produce a feature film titled- Antidote that will be shot in Kisii, Nakuru and Nairobi. For further info, please feel free to contact Emily Wanja, Zippy Nyaruri and Vincho Nchogu by email. vision.asili@gmail/zybez@gmail.com/
Synopsis
The young citizens of Kijiji are yearning for change. At first, through Kijana their chosen leader, they play by the rules. He has the backing of Bibi, who has both influence and money. Everyone is assured of a win, but Maneno the incumbent has other a plan to rig the elections. Kijana loses and becomes disillusioned. Kijana’s grandfather has a heart attack while Bibi takes it out on her husband by chopping off his penis. The citizens on the other hand are not letting go easily. If they cannot win by the rules then new rules must be created.
Technical Info
Title: Resurrect
French Title: Ressusciter
Duration: 28 Mins
Director: Vincho Nchogu
Year: 2009
Colour: Colour
Format: HD
Country: Kenya
Production Companies: Visual Asili/ Big Ideas Entertainment
Financing: Visual Asili, 3 continents festival, Crew Subsidies, Service providers subsidies, Big Ideas Subsidies
Cost Of DVD: KSH: 200/ USD: 5 dollars
Oder @ vision.asili@gmail.com
French Title: Ressusciter
Duration: 28 Mins
Director: Vincho Nchogu
Year: 2009
Colour: Colour
Format: HD
Country: Kenya
Production Companies: Visual Asili/ Big Ideas Entertainment
Financing: Visual Asili, 3 continents festival, Crew Subsidies, Service providers subsidies, Big Ideas Subsidies
Cost Of DVD: KSH: 200/ USD: 5 dollars
Oder @ vision.asili@gmail.com
The Crew
ROLE NAME
Director Vincho Nchogu
1st A.D Zippy Nyaruri
D.P Nathan Collett
Camera Assistant Victor
Sound Brian Nyamu
Art Department Anita Muthoni
Producer Stellah Wanjiru
Line Producer Catherine W. Nyaga
Editor Anthony Mwangi
Make up Artist Tasha Mjambi
Asst. Art Director Nancy Njoki
Production runner 1 Geoffrey
Production runner 2 Ngetich
Stills Photographer James Ochweri
Best Boy Andika
Cover Design James Ochweri
French language Louis David Texier
Executive Producer- Emily Wanja
Executive Producer - Zippy Nyaruri
Apreciation
Antoine Yvernault & Vincent Prevost- for Patience, Shipping and Information.
Elodie Ferer- Communication and understanding when all was stolen
Joel Ngetich of KIMC- providing his students at a subsidised rate as Exras
To Semi Chellas- for reading the and offering constructive cristisms
San tack chairman and Residents- For allowing us to film without a fee
Alvaro H. Ramos- For allowing us to film links in his house
Uganda Friends- For support and understanding
and everyone who put us in their prayers and offered help when the rushes were stolen
Director Vincho Nchogu
1st A.D Zippy Nyaruri
D.P Nathan Collett
Camera Assistant Victor
Sound Brian Nyamu
Art Department Anita Muthoni
Producer Stellah Wanjiru
Line Producer Catherine W. Nyaga
Editor Anthony Mwangi
Make up Artist Tasha Mjambi
Asst. Art Director Nancy Njoki
Production runner 1 Geoffrey
Production runner 2 Ngetich
Stills Photographer James Ochweri
Best Boy Andika
Cover Design James Ochweri
French language Louis David Texier
Executive Producer- Emily Wanja
Executive Producer - Zippy Nyaruri
Apreciation
Antoine Yvernault & Vincent Prevost- for Patience, Shipping and Information.
Elodie Ferer- Communication and understanding when all was stolen
Joel Ngetich of KIMC- providing his students at a subsidised rate as Exras
To Semi Chellas- for reading the and offering constructive cristisms
San tack chairman and Residents- For allowing us to film without a fee
Alvaro H. Ramos- For allowing us to film links in his house
Uganda Friends- For support and understanding
and everyone who put us in their prayers and offered help when the rushes were stolen
The cast
ROLE NAME
Musa Mohammed - Clinic doctor
Moses Ombuge - Journalist
Edna Mkangi- Keremensia
Naomi Wanjiru - Upendo
John Mark - Mawazo
Clement Argwings Arua- Maneno
Gilbert Lukaria- Gideon
Evelyn Akinyi - Grace
Tawi - Mtoto II
Iddi Magina - Kijana
Bertha Kangongoi - Tara
Sankey Kenga- Bwana
Eva Kerubo - Gladys
Angela Waruinge - Bibi
Bobby Muga- Man
Mich Ruoth Nyang’aya -mtoto1
Sosula philip- babu
Pauline -girl 1
Diana -girl 2
Musa Mohammed - Clinic doctor
Moses Ombuge - Journalist
Edna Mkangi- Keremensia
Naomi Wanjiru - Upendo
John Mark - Mawazo
Clement Argwings Arua- Maneno
Gilbert Lukaria- Gideon
Evelyn Akinyi - Grace
Tawi - Mtoto II
Iddi Magina - Kijana
Bertha Kangongoi - Tara
Sankey Kenga- Bwana
Eva Kerubo - Gladys
Angela Waruinge - Bibi
Bobby Muga- Man
Mich Ruoth Nyang’aya -mtoto1
Sosula philip- babu
Pauline -girl 1
Diana -girl 2
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