Oprah Oyugi won the #BabishaiSZ Twitter competition run by Storyzetu in Nairobi. Her prize is a fully paid trip to the #Babishai2016 Poetry Festival, 24-26 August in Kampala. We're grateful to Praxis Magazine for publishing these interviews.
Courtesy photo
1. Oprah,
we know you’re a film-maker and a writer. Which role came first?
I
knew I wanted to pursue filmmaking a few months out of high school and
didn’t think about writing as a career till after I had finished my film
course. However, I have written and have been writing since I was 7.
2. In
February, Storyzetu ran a one-month long Twitter competition for residents of
Nairobi, which you won and now will be attending the #Babishai2016 Poetry
Festival. What do you expect from a
poetry festival?
Outrageously amazing poetry and poets
3. What
is the most remarkable deed you have done as a film-maker?
I’m only starting out and don’t feel like
I’ve quite earned my stamp as one. But I’ve been selfish of my life and been
very clear that I will follow Filmmaking and writing as a career in Kenya and
Africa, no matter what… I hope many Kenyans and Africans can and will do the
same. We have amazing stories hidden in our people. These are the stories that
will liberate us from neo-colonialism and make us look inwards, love ourselves
and grow. If I have inspired a fellow Kenyan/ African to do the same, I hope
that can count as a good deed.
4. Can
you name some of your favourite African film-makers and why?
My favourite African films were directed by
foreigners. We have to change this. Still, these guys stood out to me and I
don’t think it’s coincidence most of them happen to be Writers/Directors
●
Tosh Gitonga –
Nairobi Half Life. If you haven’t watched it, you must. It’s pretty self
explanatory.
●
Lupita Nyong’o –
I believe that she is where she is today because of her hard work, tenacity,
relentlessness and determination. I reckon that’s what makes or breaks
filmmakers. These are traits I’m working on having.
●
Donald Mugisha –
The Boda Boda Thieves. I loved this film.
●
Yared Zeleke –
Lamb : The heart, simplicity and empathy of this story just got me. I walked
out of the cinema with a fire to make films after watching this one
●
Gared Hood –
Tsotsi : This was such a raw and gritty film that was so true to the setting
and experience of many African slums. I could see and hear the people of
Dandora, Kibera and Githurai in this
film.
● Abderrahmane Sissako – Timbuktu. This one just shut me up. The film is paced in a way that
makes you take in every action or inaction. The diverse cultures represented in
the film are done in such truth and honesty. My films will definitely be
influenced by his work.
5. Are
you doing what you dreamt of as a child?
Well,
there’s 2 answers that question. Always wanted to be a pilot – still have my
sights on it. But since I was very young, I’ve always made things up in my mind
and written. I was always that girl who had her composition read at the front
of the class. My mom really wanted to publish them. I wouldn’t say I dreamt of
it but I was a dreamer. I guess, some things just manifest. Go figure
6. The
Babishai Poetry festival theme is Abundance: Poetry from Contemporary Africa.
What do you think this means?
Surplus, availability or lack thereof of
what we as humans (Africans) want, need and desire.
7. What
is the best diet for poets, in your opinion?
Shitloads of stories, poems (reading
material basically), an observant mind, an unquenchable desire to understand
the actions of others and an environment bustling with human activity.
8. Which
African actors do you desire to have in any of your films?
Soo many but, off the top of my head:
●
Paul Ogola –
Nairobi Half Life/Sense 8
●
Rachel Mwanza –
War witch
●
Maina Olwenya –
Nairobi Half Life
●
Timothy Njuguna
– The Real Househelps of Kawangware
●
Hamisi Bazili –
White Shadow
●
Nana Mensah
– An African City
●
Susan Wanjiru –
Something Necessary
●
Walter Lagat –
Something Necessary
9.
Any parting remarks? No
Bio
Oprah is an upcoming
filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya. She studied Creative Writing in Whitireia NZ
and hopes to write stories and films that depict and look into the true lives
of Kenyans and Africans. Her Short Play went through to the Wildcard finals in
the Short + Sweet Festival in Sydney. She hopes to premiere one of her short
films based on gangs in Kenyan universities in June this year.
Read more about her and
check out her work on: www.oprahoyugi.com
No comments:
Post a Comment