Pumzi: Kenya’s First Sci-Fi Film

Africa has been buzzing about the recent release of the First Kenyan Sci-Fi Pumzi (swahilli word for breath). After the global success of South African District 9 more audiences are looking out for African made films. Pumzi recently entered into the Sundance film festival and Filmaker Wanuri Kahiu hopes that this will be one of the first of many African made Sci-Fi films.  Kahiu says, ” We already have a tradition of tapestries and functional art and things like that, that loan a backdrop for films“.

The Film is about a dystopian future in East Africa , 35 years after World War II when the world no longer has water. The remain survivors must learn how to adapt to this new world while they remained isolated in contained communities. The film focuses on the protagonist, Asha (South African actor Kudzani Moswela) who discovers a germinating seed that brings her into conflict with the new world order.

Check out the trailer and for more on the film please also check out this article in wired magazine. Kenyan Sci-Fi Short Pumzi Hits Sundance With Dystopia.