“The British say that the land is theirs. The land belongs to the Africans,” an elderly woman says.
Her voice has traces of that familiar Kikuyu accent that is often heard among those belonging to the country’s largest ethnic group.
It is the beginning of a teaser for a film, Our Land, Our Freedom, which is set to make its Kenyan premiere at the Nairobi Film Festival on October 26.
As the film’s preview continues, another woman details her story of being born into a freedom fighter’s family and her passion for helping people like her parents.
“My mother was a freedom fighter. My father was the leader of the Kenyan Land and Freedom Army. The British called them the MAUMAU,” she says, adding, “the history of Kenya has been distorted. The first books were written by white men, portraying MAUMAU as savages.”
The tone of the clip is ominous and pensive, and the documentary promises to dive deep into the colonial history of Kenya.
LBX Africa, a Nairobi based film production company tells Habari Digital exclusively that Our Land, Our Freedom is finally coming home after having had a successful international festival run, including recognition at IDFA, Sheffield Doc Fest, and Zanzibar Film Festival.
“The documentary follows the extraordinary journey of Mukami and Wanjugu Kimathi, the widow and daughter of Dedan Kimathi, one of Kenya’s most iconic freedom fighters.”
“Their mission to locate Dedan Kimathi’s remains exposes the brutal realities of British colonialism in Kenya, including concentration camps, land theft, and the oppression faced by those who resisted colonial rule.”
It premiered at the prestigious IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) in November 2023, and has reportedly captivated audiences in festivals where it has been showcased since.
“The film’s African premiere at Encounters Documentary Festival in South Africa earned it the ‘Encounters Adiaha Award for Best Documentary by an African Woman,’ followed by a win for Best Documentary at the Zanzibar Film Festival in 2024. Now, it returns to Kenya, where its powerful narrative will deeply resonate with local audiences.”
The film is produced by Meena Nanji (Twende Pictures), Zippy Kimundu (Afrofilms International Ltd), and Eliane Ferreira (Muitaquitã Filmes) alongside executive producer Mira Nair (Queen of Katwe) and a talented Kenyan production crew. The cinematography was done by Andrew Mungai and Steve Ruiyi, and editing by Jordana Berg and Franki Ashiruka.
Directors Meena Nanji and Zippy Kimundu said in a joint statement that this project is more than a film- rather, it is a reclamation of history.
“This is a Kenyan story told by Kenyans, focusing on the lived experiences of those who fought for independence but whose stories have been sidelined in history books. It’s about honoring our freedom fighters and confronting the lasting impact of colonialism that still affects us today.”
The film-making process too, relied on the voices of Kenyans, instead of foreign narrators or experts, with the filmmakers having emphasized the importance of telling the story from a distinctly Kenyan perspective.
“It’s crucial that we own our history, and this film is our way of ensuring that the legacy of our freedom fighters is preserved for future generations,” Meena and Zippy noted.
