Tweet

I recently returned from a long journey to Kenya. Along the way I decided to stop over and visit artists, designers and game changers in the Industry.

It was during this time that I was able to meet the incredible duo Mercy Murugi and Nathan Collett of Hot Sun Films and learn about their latest  award winning feature film Togetherness Supreme.

Togetherness Supreme is the story of a an artist and a hustler who lives in the midst of Africa’s largest slum, Kibera. The film follows his journey as long as two other characters who must navigate through their community during a time where the nation is divided amongst political and tribal lines. The film is powerful moving and overall well made.

What is extraordinary about the film is the film’s production process. The film was shot in Kibera an area that is hostile to outsiders and foreigners. Mercy and Nathan were able to delicately navigate through the slum, negotiating wit

h the local community when and where they would shoot. Often in the midst of poverty, they were able to gain the tru

st of the community by providing exciting and unique opportunities to the local residents.

The idea was simple enough. ‘We should start a film school right here where we are’. An ambitious undertaking , but they did it. Hot Sun Film Productions opened up a world class film school right in the heart of the populous shantytown. Dedicated to providing young filmakers and digital artists the skills they needed to produce their own films, Kibera Film School opened its doors to young filmmakers and directors who would never have had the chance to  access digital technology.

Kibera Film School offers a six month intensive educational experience where young people are trained in screenwriting, editing, camera work, directing and producing. I had a chance to sit in on a course and I was impressed by the level of quality and attention to detail Hot sun had poured into every aspect of the curriculum. In the middle of a Wednesday afternoon in Kibera I was being taught the essentials of guerrilla film-making – budgeting and project management.

Hot sun film has been able to achieve something extraordinary. Not only have they bridged the gaping digital divide that is prevalent throughout Africa, they are doing it with exceptional quality. They provide their students with quality digital technology, equipped with the best and latest cameras,  iMacs, fully loaded with Final Cut Studio and applications we all dream of. Nathan, Mercy and Hot Sun Films have the shared obsession to provide and produce the best content they are humanly capable of and encourage their students to do the same. The students have made film projects that illustrate their daily lives in Kibera through their own eyes, a perspective that is rarely shared.

Togetherness Supreme film is a slice of the incredible legacy Hot Sun Films have begun. Most quality films about everyday Kenyans are not available to everyday Kenyans. Nathan and Mercy have risen to the challenge, showcasing the film to the Kenyan public in Kamukunji, Korogocho, Kangemi, Mathare ,Kibera and many other areas. Togetherness Supreme is on the road, offering free screenings to the general public, with the goal of reaching over 100,000. You can follow their journey through their facebook page . You can also get involved and show you support to this extraordinary initiative.

 

In Pictures

All Images Courtesy of Hot Sun Film Productions