‘A Grandmother’s Tribe’ premieres in its home country, Kenya, with record turnouts

Wednesday 10 December 2008

December 2008

Exactly two years after the first scene of ‘A Grandmother’s Tribe’ was filmed in Kenya, it returned home to host three premiere screening events. On the 1st December 2008, with remarkable support from the US Embassy, the first event was held in Nairobi (Kenya’s Capital City) at FOX CINEMAS. A full house of representatives from the NGO sector, government, the US Embassy and the films community of support watched the film in support of the grandmothers of Africa.

The premiere marked both World Aids Day as well as two years since Borderless Productions crew began filming this documentary film about the millions of grandmothers left to raise their orphaned grandchildren in sub-Saharan Africa after losing their own children to HIV/AIDS.

On the 3rd December, the film played to thousands of residents of Kibera Slum at the Open Cinema screening. The audience was treated to a wonderful array of entertainment from Kibera arts groups and activists who performed expressions of the Kenyan culture and struggles they have with poverty, hygiene and health. When it became dark, the film played and only the occasional quiet murmur was heard through the entire 54 minutes.

Finally, on Friday, the filmmakers and US Embassy traveled to the village (10 hours by road or 1 hour by plane flight) to the west of Kenya where the village grandmothers awaited their turn to witness their starring roles in this movie.

What struck the local community as well as the filmmakers was the remarkable support shown by local and national government for the grandmothers. The Village Chief, District Commissioner, Minister of Parliament responsible for Busia, and the US Embassy all attended this event to honour the grandmothers. Of course, in the front row were the stars, the grandmothers and grandchildren from Funyula. Tears of joy and gratitude ran down their faces as they watched themselves tell their tragic story of loss and hope.

The event was held in the Busia school hall, catering for 400-500 people.

The filmmakers are incredibly thankful to Felix Masi from Voiceless Children and Ellen Beinstock from the US Embassy for their immense support in ensuring this film was seen by as many as possible in these three premiere events. Broadcast screenings of the film are scheduled to follow on Citizen TV nationwide in 2008 / 09.