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The Retrospectives on Kenyan Filmmakers continues at Goethe Institut with the screenings of Jane Murago-Munene films.

Dates: July 22-23, 2011
Venue: Goethe Institut Auditorium
Time: 4pm
Entry: Free

2010 was a successful year for Kenyan film. Many of its protagonists are not well known, not even in Kenya, and it is time to pay homage to their works. Goethe Institut series, which introduced Jacob Barua, Judy Kibinge and Willie Owusu to a keenly interested audience, last year, continues with Jane Murago-Munene.

Jane Murago-Munene is a producer and director of CineArts Afrika, a communication and publicity firm based in Nairobi. Besides managing her company, she has produced numerous prize-winning feature and documentary films throughout her career. Her latest achievements are Turning Tide: Women Entrepreneurs in Africa, a TV-series showcasing successful businesswomen from East Africa, and Monica Wangu Wamwere – The Unbroken Spirit, which was awarded the First Prize Documentary, FESPACO 2011.

As chair of Kenya National Film Association (KNFA) Jane was part of the team that helped establish the Kenya Film Commission and also steered the creation of KIFF – Kenya International Film Festival.

Screenings
The Prize of Daughter
This feature film highlights the plight of the girl child through Naisenya, a nurse trying to bring change in her community. The film revolves around the Female Genital Cut, a traditional practice that not only has devastating health implications but also hinders the girl’s progress.

Turning Tide
Women Entrepreneurs in Africa This is a television series showcasing successful businesswomen from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Women, Water and Workload
A documentary on women of Kwale District in the southeast of Kenya who have to trek long distances for water with deleterious effects on their children.

Water Closer to the People
A documentary on the Kwale Water and Sanitation Project demonstrating the importance of community participation and the incorporation of local approaches in the provision of clean drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Silence is Betrayal
A 5 minute video documentary on rape which was used to commemorate the St. Kizito Secondary School tragedy that occurred in 1991 in which 19 girls were killed and 71 others raped when the male students went on rampage. Silence is Betrayal played a key role as an advocacy tool and helped in lobbying for the Sexual Offences Bill through screenings in workshops with various groups. The Bill was passed by Kenya’s Parliament and came into law in July 2006.

Behind Closed Doors
A feature film that voices the violence women undergo silently. The story centres on Rose who is faced with domestic violence. The film emphasizes the need for women to take control of their lives.

Sustainability: Productive Use of Water
A documentary on the community managed and successfully operated Kabuku Water Project in Kiambu.

Rekindle the Embers
A look at the Lake Nakuru National Park and the environmental degradation it has suffered due to man’s involvement and the remedial measures being taken to reverse the trend.

Monica Wangu Wamwere – The Unbroken Spirit
This documentary explores the search for justice by a mother whose three sons were detained during the clamour for multi-party democracy in Kenya. Monica Wangu Wamwere started the Release Political Prisoners group to push for her sons and 49 other detainees release. She, together with mothers of other political detainees, camped at both Uhuru Park and the All Saints Cathedral for more than a year. It is the story of a woman who sought justice for her family and for Kenya. It is a story of Kenya’s struggle for the second liberation. It is a story of courage and determination. It is a story of power for the powerless. Above all, it is the story of a mother’s unconditional love. – The Unbroken Spirit won First Prize, Best Documentary at the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) 2011.