High school students conquer the big screen

For the first time in Kenya, a movie produced and acted by high school students will show on the big screens.

This Saturday She got game and Boomerang, productions by students from Loreto Convent Msongari, will premiere at IMAX, Garden City complete with the projected red carpet razzmatazz. This will be biggest film project by Kenyan high school students. Drama teacher, Mr Cliff Ouma commonly known as Nyakwar Dani, speaking to Hashtag said the ambitious project was a result of the drama club’s remarkable progress. The club topped the National Drama Festival thrice in a row.

“We were looking to celebrate our winning streak in momentous fashion and the school agreed to finance the Sh400, 000 budget for the movie” he said.

Most of the students in the drama club want to become professional actresses in future like some of our alumni. Star actresses Lupita Nyong’o, Catherine Kamau, Nina Ogot and media personality Julie Gichuru are old girls of the institution.

“This was a good way to expose them to that world. It can be a launching pad for them into the established acting world. They have really proven they are talented,” Ouma adds.

One of the movies, Boomerang, was inspired by the Garissa tragedy which occurred more than two years ago.

“We were trying to re-enact the Garissa tragedy with emphasis on the fact that most terrorism stories in the country are instigated by people who are close to the victims,” said Mr Ouma.

While it now looks rosy, the students’ journey creating the film has not been easy. The project was first proposed last year before the students went for their December holidays.

“We finished shooting in April and the tight schedule raised concerns about the performance of the girls,” said Ouma.

To ensure performance was not affected, the school principal Magdalene Mbugua directed that any girls whose performances dropped step aside and get their academics in order.

“This has encouraged girls to work harder because we do not compromise on performance. In fact, some of the best performers in school are part of the club,” said Ms Mbugua.

Parents’ reaction

The school principal admits that there have been many concerns raised by parents after they heard about the movie.

“They are very supportive but are worried about keeping their daughters out of class for too long,” she said.

One of the students involved in the project admits that while her mother was supportive of her being in drama, her father was totally against it.

One of the parents, Grace Muiruri admits that she was worried about how her 13-year-old daughter who is in form one would balance between her studies and acting.

“I was cautious at first but was won over by the passion exuded by the drama team,” she said.

She advises that parents support their children in developing their talents even as they continually remind the need of academic qualifications.

“I hope our daughters realise that they need both their talents and academic qualifications so it is up to them to know how to manage their time and learn how to shine in all areas,” she added.

To win a pair of tickets to the premiere, write a two-hundred word comment to hashtag@standardmedia.co.ke on what you reckon can be done to revive the arts in Kenya. Entries close at COB on Friday June 23. The winning entry will be published in the subsequent issue.