Rafiki my foot! Film officials pulling in different directions

The Kenya film industry is controlled by two entities — The Kenya Film Commission and the Kenya Film Classification Board. The two entities are headed by Chris Foot and Ezekiel Mutua respectively. The two bosses spoke exclusively to our writer, Kagwiria Njagi, on their sharply differing opinions on the Cannes-nominated film Rafiki.

Ezekiel Mutua, chief executive, Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)

1. Tell us all about Sinema Mashinani.

Sinema Mashinani is a project that intends to bring cinema to the grassroots. In the 1970s and 1980s, Kenyans got the first cinema interaction through village screening. I got to first watch The Story of Jesus on these mobile cinemas and it had a special impact. Playing of the national anthem and hymns before these screenings brought a sense of patriotism. These are things that promote social values. Sinema Mashinani will recover and promote culture as well as encouraging morality through film. There will be screening of vernacular films and subtitles for movies that people can relate to. The content will be from the people by the people, making film interesting to the locals as well as teaching values that will impact change.

2. We did not see you at the Kalasha Awards

The Sunday before Kalasha, an article by the KFC chairman (Chris Foot) was published in Daily Nation that drew a lot of attention to me. I therefore made the decision to avoid the festival so as not to offend my colleague, and also not steal the limelight of the opening. Kalasha would, however, not have been the event it was without KFCB. We sponsored the event, bought booths for some groups like Actors Guild and had some colleagues attend, though they kept a low profile.

3. You are attending the Cannes Film Festival...

Yes. We have sponsored several groups and actors to attend. This is an opportunity to sell Kenya and have co-production partnerships for our industry internationally.

4. You banned the Rafiki film, yet it is the first Kenyan film ever at the Cannes. Are you not proud of the production?

Before the decision to ban the film was made, the producers notified us that it had been nominated. We advised them to delete some portions that show the homosexuality. Homosexuality is a crime in Kenya and we advised them to avoid glorifying it. After two weeks, they came back to us and said that they were not deleting. The film cannot be aired and no one is even allowed to be in possession of it. There was nothing wrong with the story, but glorifying homosexuality cannot be allowed. We will not be endorsing the film. It should not be marketed as a Kenyan product. We spoke with their lawyers, we will not be interfering with the premiere at Cannes. 

5. Why do you say homosexuality is unnatural? Should openly gay people like Binyavanga Wainaina be jailed?

KFCB is thinking of taking action on the media promoting the Binyavanga story. He has freedom of choice, whom he wants to love, but it is illegal to bring to public spaces bizarre habits. It is illegal for him to hold a homosexual reception in public space and there will be no wedding or reception for him in public space. He can marry in his bedroom. If a gay person qualifies for a job in KFCB, I would give him. We must, however, protect the majority because Kenyans chose not to support homosexuality. If we get a court order to accept gay content, we will appeal, but obey the law.

6. What are your big plans for the remainder of the year?

Sinema Mashinani is the big project this year. We decided to align ourselves with the pillar of manufacturing/production of film in the Big Four alignment mandate. We hope to create more jobs for the youth. I will be focusing on reconciliation of the country and creating inspiration to Kenyans through film. I will be hosting Hon. KJ and Jaguar to a conversation of how we can turn Nairobi stories into film. If you go to Koinange Street, those girls have stories. We want to give a chance to people who can turn conversation to film. We want to turn a new leaf, open screens in social halls so that people have a place to go.

CHRIS FOOT, chairman, Kenya Film Commission

1. Tell us about yourself. Who is Chris Foot?

Chris Foot is a Kenyan who cares deeply about his country. A follower of the carpenter from Nazareth, an entrepreneur and business advisor and chairman of the Kenya Film Commission.

2. It is said your relationship with Dr Ezekiel Mutua is very sour. Why the wars between KFC and KFCB?

Not at all. We actually get on pretty well. We are both here to serve the industry. Of course, we disagree on some matters and, invariably, our fundamentally different mandates occasionally lead to some tensions, but like any family, we’re learning to work through those issues.

3. Have you watched Rafiki, the lesbian-themed film, now showing at Cannes?

Is this a trick question? It only premiered last night in Cannes! So no, I haven’t seen it... yet.

4. Do you support the showing of Rafiki? 

100 percent we support this movie. It showcases the best of Kenyan filming and acting. ‘Acting’, being the operative word. We are on very dangerous ground if we are told what stories you can and cannot tell. If the storyline contains some illegality and that is the premise for banning it, then by extension we should not show any films which have murders or theft. I am proud that the film uses local talent and has been exported to one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. This shows the strides the Kenyan film industry has made in recent years.

5. You hosted the Kalasha Awards recently at the KICC in Nairobi. How did that go?

It was an outstanding success. It was the biggest film and television market in East and Central Africa. We hosted scores of international and local speakers who shared information during the various workshops and conferences. We also had a pitching session that saw three film makers win Sh1.5 million prize money, 66 exhibitors from across the world, media publicity worth Sh98 million of PR value. It was attended by over 500 visitors, of whom 200 were key decision makers.

6. Atanasi, on Twitter, asked since Kalasha received Sh50 million from the government, why did you still charge people to exhibit?

Sadly, that’s false. We did not spend Sh50 million. We spent Sh9.3m. Why did we charge folks to exhibit? This was a trade show. You pay to exhibit at trade shows. It is business. KFC also has an obligation to ensure the taxpayer gets “bang for their buck”, we were able to substantially reduce the cost of the market by charging for booths, selling tickets (though students got in free) and through sponsorship. Coming from the private sector, I’m perpetually astounded by this “serikali saidia” mentality of a small section of our more vocal stakeholders. The government has just paid for and organised the biggest film and TV market in the region and you want to get a free booth? Seriously?

7. How did you spend this Sh50 million? In the spirit of accountability, would you give us the break down?

As mentioned above, the Sh50 million is an entirely fabricated figure. We spent Sh12.5 million on the Kalasha Awards, the main items being lighting, sound, stages, food, event manager etc. Venue cost Sh1.29m, trophies Sh1.6m, promoting the event Sh0.86m, the awards academy venue Sh0.49 and Sh9.3m on the Kalasha Market. By any reckoning, both were great value for money. The commission is known for its transparency and accountability. Never in my tenure has there been a hint of financial impropriety. All our financial and non-financial information are published and availed to the Office of the Auditor General for audit, our parent ministry (Culture), the National Treasury and Parliament for public consumption.

8. If KFC was scrapped, what would the average Kenyan who loves film actually lose, since some say KFC is obsolete?

Firstly it won’t be scrapped. There over 360 film commissions in the world, each building up their film industries. Film commissions are pivotal for any country who takes the audio visual sector seriously.

KFC has provided training for thousands of Kenyan across the country, celebrates the industry every year with the most impressive awards ceremony, hosts the biggest film and TV trade show in the region, negotiates co-production agreements, has helped bring numerous international movies to be filmed in Kenya, has supported countless local and international productions, markets Kenya as a filming destination in numerous countries, produces the only industry handbook, supports scores of educational establishments with their trainings, festivals and awards, continues to fight for increased local content to be shown on our TV channels, provides a resource centre for the industry to use free of charge, sponsors local productions and will deliver the most transformative fiscal incentive package for the industry. So, yes, we would be missed and the industry and the country would be considerably worse for our absence.

Kagwiria Njagi is the Anga I-Max Cinemas marketing manager. [email protected]