'The Rugged Priest' ruffles feathers at the Junction

By George Orido

Bob Nyanja, the celebrated director of Malooned and the man behind Redykyulass TV parody, is at it again.

This time round Nyanja has confirmed his drive to say it in black and white in his new production, The Rugged Priest.

The movie premiered last week at the Junction during the opening of the Fifth Kenya International Film Festival (KIFF) at Alliance Francaise in Nairobi.

Lead actor Collins Simpson as father Kelser in The Rugged Priest. Inset, A scene from the movie.[PHOTOS: GEORGE ORIDO/STANDARD]

The Rugged Priest is about the life and tragic death of Mill Hill Missionaries American priest Fr John Kaiser ten years ago. With astonishing pictures and stealth cinematography, Nairobi. The Rugged Priest is the boldest story ever told by a Kenyan filmmaker and implicates three conspirators in the demise of father Kaiser whose guts to defend the poor and advocate for peace did not amuse the powers that be.

A powerful minister for Internal Security is directly blamed for his death while the film indicts US security agencies as well as a senior clergy and Fr Kelser’s superior for complicity.

So tense was the air that the chief guest Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and his entourage, including Information Minister Samuel Poghisio did not sit to the end.

"There are things that must be said just as they are and nothing should ever stop us from pursuing justice," said Mr Nyanja after the screening attended by international and local filmmakers. He says it took him three years to put the story and the piece together.

The cast is such a talent starring Collins Simpson, 63, as father John Kelser, whose passion for religious work, pricked the political class.

Abused children

Ainea Ojiambo, acting as the minister (Shompole), effortlessly depicts the meanness and insensitivity of his character. He captures how the minister abuses underage girls, picking them from various points, including students performing traditional dances during harambees and needy girls seeking bursaries from his office.

Father Kelser irks the minister when he attempts to help the abused children.

The priest’s undoing is evidence that implicates the all-powerful minister as the sponsor and instigator of ethnic clashes in Maela.

The minister follows proceedings of the commission of inquiry appointed by the Government through the radio system manned by security agents planted in the courtroom.

"This commission is a public relations gimmick to cover up the real culprits behind these clashes," says Father Kelser.

The commission’s chair, Sulumeni (Francis Imbuga), sends away the priest putting off the hearings.

On hearing this, the minister slams the radio on the wall cursing and declaring the end of Father Kelser.

Using the all dreaded secret police, the minister attempts three times to get the priest murdered to no avail. On one occasion, Father Kelser seeks refuge in a convent and his assistant father, Ian (Lwanda Jawar), hides him under a chair.

Finally, they catch up with him while going to check on his parishioners and shoot him at a point blank range.

Responding to concerns he chose a rather difficult movie for the opening night, KIFF Director Charles Asiba says one of the impacts expected of a good film is to stir discussions.

"You have to get people talking just like we made them talk after watching Wanuri Kahiu’s Pumzi last year," says Mr Asiba, the creator and founder of the annual fete. The director uses rain and thunderstorm effects to create a tense and urgent mood. The choice of rugged rural setting depicts how missionaries venture into backward and forgotten parts of Africa.

The teachings of the church and social service take centre stage through schools projects run by Father Kelser and his colleagues.

And staying faithful to its course of openness, the film does not shy away from picking out challenges facing the church today.

Father Kelser’s assistant, Lwanda, is involved in a romantic relationship with a female teacher, Alice (Sarah Ndanu), a colleague of his at a local school.

She begets a child, making the movie such a conglomeration of twists and turns — a true Kenyan thriller.

Surprise Choice

The Rugged Priest was a surprise choice since the First Grader was originally slated for the evening.

Those who expected Oliver Litondo, who stars in the First Grader as Stephen Maruge, were not disappointed because he made a guest appearance as the bishop who abetted Father Kelser’s murder.

Also starring in the film is seasoned actor John Sibi Okumu (Kisuli) as the politician’s lawyer and Regina Re, the uncompromising civil rights lawyer. The team puts up a credible performance.

"Initially, I was apprehensive about the way my character was going to portray the Church but I said ‘may it if it would help heal the world," said Lwanda.

Ms Re said she was glad she played a role that pushed for integrity.

Nyanja said the film was incomplete and was working on the sound and other aspects before making the final release.