Ndoto za Elibidi Film

“The story pivots around the theme of acceptance and love as its colorful protagonists (parents, four daughters and their lovers) come to terms with HIV and ghetto life.”

Dreams is the story of two brothers who travel to Nairobi to find work. Interspersed with songs and plenty of broad comedy, the play follows their fortunes and that of their children as they struggle with issues of love, loyalty, ignorance and forgiveness against the backdrop of the teeming city. In 2009, Dreams was produced as S.A.F.E’s first feature film with the aid of a grant from Keep A Child Alive. The film tells the story of George Elibidi and his family’s survival and final triumph over HIV, and in the process covers issues such as PEP treatment for rape victims, ARV use, stigma and discrimination, condom use and circumcision.

Ndoto Za Elibidi, S.A.F.E.’s first full-length feature, is many things at once: a stage play turned into a feature film, a documentary and a testimony on the impact of the plays message. It was devised originally as a stage play with actors from the Nairobi slums. The story pivots around the theme of acceptance and love as its colourful protagonists – parents, four daughters and their lovers – come to terms with HIV and ghetto life. Cutting back and forth from fiction to documentary, from the original stage play to the actual locations, it takes us on two parallel journeys: we watch the film, but we are also watching it through the eyes of the ghetto audience as they watch the play tell the story of their lives. This extraordinary position gives us a double pay off.

The play was performed for over five years throughout the Nairobi slums, reaching over half a million people. The film version was made after repeated requests from partnering schools and clinics for a DVD version of the performance.

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Ndoto za Elibidi has won several International Awards 

Zanzibar International Film Festival 2010
Golden Dhow for Best East African Talent
Ousmane Sembene Award Commendation

Kenya International Film Festival, Nairobi 2010
Special Jury Prize ‘for speaking powerfully and critically across class, gender and national divides’

Festival of African Cinema, Verona 2011
Verona Award for Best African Film

Kalasha Film and Television Awards 2010
Best Feature Film
Best Editing
Best Supporting Actress

Kerala Film Festival 2011
Official Selection

Tarifa Film Festival 2011
Official Selection

Africa In The Picture Film Festival, Netherlands, 2012
Audience Selection: Best Feature Film

Publication date
2010
Copyright date
2010
Title Variation
English language title: Dreams of Elibidi
Note
Copyright notice on video: S.A.F.E. ; 2010.
Originally produced in Kenya as a motion picture in 2010
Wide screen.
Production Credits
Director of photography, Guy Wilson ; edited by Carole Gikandi Omondi ; sound, Willie Kiumi, David Kinyanjui ; original music, Eric Wainaina, Jeffrey Weeks Harrison.
Participant
Juma Williams, Sharleen Njeri, Mercy Wanjiru, Krysteen Savane, Ednah Daisy, Ummul Rajab, Godfrey Ojiambo, Jacquey Nyaminde, Joseph “Babu” Kimani, Paul “Kadez” Njogu, Eric Ndung’u, Triza Kabue, Sam Kihiu, Alfred Calypso, Irungu Wairimu, Caroline Midimo, Kamau wa Ndung’u, Lucy Waithaka, Melissa Ommeh, Mercy Makokha, Peter King, Small Ogutu, Stevejones Mugo, Elly Yang, Eunice Njoki, Badiza, Doreen Mwajuma, Miles Lekan Kihiu, Erica Winnie Wairimu, Christabell Calypso, Eileen Ojiambo, Zelma Kiruma, Itch “The chairman”, Eric Wainaina.
Funding Information
Funded by Keep a Child Alive
Format
Disc characteristics: Recorded DVD.

Content Courtesy Of Digital Team & Safe Kenya Org