Namibian Premiere: “Nairobi Half Life”, Wednesday, 21 November 2012, 7h15 pm, Goethe-Centre, Windhoek

AfricAvenir Windhoek & the Goethe-Zentrum Windhoek in cooperation with One Fine Day Films, Ginger Ink Films & DW Akademie present the Namibian premiere of the film, "Nairobi Half Life". Directed by Tosh Gitonga, produced by Tom Tykwer & Ginger Siobhain Wilson (Kenya/Germany, 2012, 60 minutes). nAbout the film
Nairobi Half Life, directed by Tosh Gitonga, made its worldwide premiere at the Durban International Film Festival in July 2012. Mwas is a young aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya who dreams of becoming an accomplished actor one day, and in pursuit of this he makes his way to Nairobi the city of opportunity. He quickly understands why Nairobi is nicknamed Nairrobery as he is robbed of all his money and belongings and left alone in a city where he doesn’t know a soul. Luck, or the lack of it, brings him face to face with the city’s criminals and forms a friendship with a small time crook who takes him in. nHe is quickly drawn into a world of crime as he struggles to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. Keeping the two worlds separate proves to be a challenge for him as he trudges on in this unknown world called Nairobi. This is the story of a young man who despite all odds trudges on in search of his dream…..
In Durban, main actor Joseph Wairimu bagged the Best Actor award after the judges had this to say about his performance:n“From the very opening moments of Nairobi Half Life, actor Joseph Wairimu charms us with his endearing characterisation of Mwas. His role as a young actor who tries to resist becoming a reluctant hustler, transcends both comedy and drama. His performance embodies the hunger of Kenyan youth hoping to carve out better lives for themselves.”nnNairobi Half Life entered for the 85th Ascademy Awards
After the world premier at the Durban International Film Festival, Nairobi Half Life premiered at the cinemas in Nairobi, Kenya on 30th August 2012 and has been screening twice daily to a full houses since it subsequently opened to the public on Friday 31st August 2012. So far the film has been the most successful theatrical release in Kenyan history for a local film.nOn 24 September 2012 it was announced, the film is the offical Kenyan selection as it‘s entry for OSCARS.nWambui Kairo, the chairperson of the Kenya Oscars Selection Committee was full of praise for the film, terming it as a master piece and saying that it stands a chance for nomination and the global award.  “We as a committee are privileged to have been involved in the process of reviewing Nairobi Half Life and to have found it as a suitable Kenyan submission. It is clear from this film that The Kenya Film Industry has the capacity to make movies that can compete on a global platform.” said Wamboi.nAwardsn

• Winner Best Actor, 33rd Durban International Film Festival, 2012
• Offical entry to the 85th Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS – better known as The Oscars) in the category “Best Foreign Language Film” by the Kenya Oscars Selection Committee

nDate: 21 November 2011
Time: 7h15 pm
Venue: Goethe-Centre Windhoek/NaDS, 1-5 Fidel-Castro Street
Entrance: 30,- Nam$
Language: Original with English subtitles