Soul Boy is a 2010 drama film written by Billy Kahora and directed by Hawa Essuman. It developed under the mentorship of German director and producer Tom Tykwer in Kibera, one of the largest slums in the African continent, in the middle of Nairobi, Kenya. The film has received five nominations at the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
The film originated in a workshop for young film enthusiasts from Nairobi, guided by Tykwer.
Plot The story is about a 14-year-old boy called Abila, who lives in one of the most miserable slums known as Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. One of the biggest slums in East Africa. One morning the teenager discovers his father was ill and delirious. "Someone has stolen my soul", mumbles the father. Abila is shocked and confused but wanted to help his father and goes in search of the right remedy. Supported by his girlfriend Shiku whom he is not even allowed to have friendship with. Abila learned that his father has gambled his life in company of a witch.
The teenager sets an adventurous journey in the Kibera Slum about to look for the witch, that leads him right through his community. When he finally discovers her, the witch gives him seven challenging tasks to save his father's lost soul.
Themes The film explores themes of family, responsibility, and reconciliation, while also addressing issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and tribal divisions in Kenyan society. Its use of magical realism allows it to tackle these subjects through symbolism and allegory, making the story both universal and locally grounded.
Production and release Soul Boy was developed through a workshop led by German director Tom Tykwer and produced as a collaboration between Kenyan and German filmmakers. It was filmed on location in Kibera, with many local residents participating in its production. The film premiered in 2010 and was screened at several international film festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the Gothenburg Film Festival.
Reception The film received positive reviews for its storytelling, performances, and authentic portrayal of life in Kibera. Critics praised Essuman's direction and the film's blending of folklore with contemporary social issues. It went on to win several awards at international festivals, including the Dioraphte Audience Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Cast Samson Odhiambo as Abila Leila Dayan Opou as Shiku Krysteen Savane as Nyawawa Frank Kimani as Macharia Joab Ogolla as Abi's Father Lucy Gachanja as Abi's Mother Katherine Damaris as Aunt Susan Kevin Onyango Omondi as Bojo Calvin Shikuku Odhiambo as Kaka Nordeen Abdulghani as Willie Ginger Wilson as Claire Nick Reding as Brian John Githui as Matatu Tout Tony Rimwa as Mr. Kamangu McLean Wilson as Amy Jomo Wilson as Rafael Godfrey Ojiambo - Thief Rogers Otieno - Angry Man Tony Rimwa as Mr. Kamangu Juma Williams as S.A.F.E. Stage Father Sharleen Njeri as S.A.F.E. Stage Mother Micheal Babu as Kama Paul Njogu as Kimani Lydia Makori as Bibi Okello Aida Mulafu as Mama Wekesa Rose Adhiambo as Mama Akinyi Consolata Apondias the Weaver Woman Gilbert K. Lukalia as the Gatekeeper Jones Onyango Ajwala as the Old Couple - Man Clementina Makokha as the Old Couple - Woman Christopher Abuga as the Auctioneer Alex Jadolo - Thug 2 Anthony Waweru - Dead Man
Awards and nominations +YearAwarding OrganisationCategoryNomineeResultRef2010International Film Festival RotterdamDioraohate AwardSoul Boy2010Carthage Film FestivalNarrative Feature FilmSoul Boy2011African Movie Academy AwardsBest FilmSoul Boy2011African Movie Academy AwardsBest DirectorHawa Essuman2011African Movie Academy AwardsBest Young/Promising ActorSamson Odhiambo Leila Dayan Opou2011African Movie Academy AwardsBest EditingNg'ethe GitungoBest Editor, African Movie Academy Awards 2011African Movie Academy AwardsBest ScreenplaySoul Boy2010Africa International Film FestivalFeature Film CompetitionSoul Boy2010Kalasha International Film and TV AwardsBest Lead Actress FilmLeila Dayan Opou2010Kalasha International Film and TV AwardsBest Lead Actor FilmSamson Odhiambo2010Kalasha International Film and TV AwardsBest Supporting Actress FilmKrysteen Savane2010Kalasha International Film and TV AwardsBest Short FilmSoul Boy2010Kenya International Film FestivalBest ActorSamson OdhiamboKenya International Film Festival: Best Actor2010Kenya International Film FestivalBest East African FilmSoul Boy2010Zanzibar International Film FestivalSignis Award Soul Boy2010Afrika Filmfestival LeuvenVeto AwardSoul Boy2010Festival Ciné JuniorSpecial Mention "Passeurs d’images" prizeSoul Boy2010Festival Ciné JuniorThe Young Jury PrizeSoul Boy2011European Spiritual Film FestivalBest Fiction AwardSoul Boy2011Kirchliches Filmfestival RecklinghausenBest Children's Film AwardSoul Boy. No mention of the prize here.
Reception
Critical response Andrew Onyango reviewing for KenyaBuzz was impressed by how much "surreal" the world of the movie is, adding that the scripts use of Swahili strengthened the film's impact: "The Swahili speaking audience (particularly those exposed to the dialect being used) feel a powerful sense of identification. There is nothing like hearing it firsthand because the translation loses some of the impact of the words."
References
External links
Soul Boy at Rushlake Media