We in the West have been bombarded with films, novels and more speculating on (and in some cases shaping) the future condition of our society, but how many times has this forward gaze been allowed to rest on Africa?
Pumzi, written and directed by writer/director Wanuri Kahiu, officially claims the title of Kenya’s first science fiction film. Set in a futuristic African society characterized by a totalitarian government, repressive social control systems and an absence of individual freedoms, the film centres on Asha, a young woman living in one of East Africa’s contained communities 35 years after water wars have ravaged the world, causing incomprehensible ecological devestation. With her discovery that a soil sample sent to her in the mail is capable of germinating new life, the stage is set for her quest to investigate the possibility of new life outside the confines of the community structures – against the wishes of the governing Maitu Council. Kahiu’s short film taps into current Third World realities and walks them forward to terrible, yet entierly possible conclusions.
Funded by Focus Features’ Africa First short film program, the Goethe Institut and the Changamoto arts fund, Pumzi has already screened as part of Sundance’s New African Cinema program. As far as I can ascertain, there is no release date as yet but see below for a taste of East African Dystopia. Think black THX1138 and you’re getting close…..
By Etienne
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