Poster courtesy The NEST Collective
The Program in Visual Arts will present a screening of Stories of Our Lives, an anthology film based on true stories about queer life in Kenya. It is the first feature film from The NEST Collective, created in partnership with Uhai/EASHRI and Big World Cinema. Directed by Jim Chuchu and co-written by Chuchu and Dr. Njoki Ngumi, with George Gachara as executive producer. The NEST Collective is a multidisciplinary collaborative of ten Kenyans based in Nairobi, working collectively since 2012 with the aim of exploring troubling modern identities, re-imagining pasts and inhabiting mythical African futures.
A series of five vignettes based on true stories were collected for the Stories Of Our Lives project:
Ask me Nicely
Kate, a rebellious young high school student, meets first-love Faith, a fellow student. When school authorities separate the two, Kate impulsively has a sexual encounter with a boy in her neighborhood. Two weeks later, Kate and Faith have an awkward reunion.
Run
After negotiating a business deal, Patrick stumbles upon a local gay bar with his homophobic best friend, Kama. Patrick later returns to the club for a night out, hoping no one will find out.
Athman
Farm workers Ray and Athman have been close friends for years. Hurt by Athman’s flirtatious relationship with newcomer Fiona, Ray has to make a difficult choice.
Duet
Jeff is waiting in a hotel room far away from home. He has been saving for months to fulfill his ultimate fantasy of having sex with a white guy. Finally, there is a knock at the door.
Each Night I Dream
When local legislators threaten to enforce anti-gay laws, mobs gather to evict people suspected of being homosexuals. As tension in their neighborhood increases, Liz visualizes dramatic escape plans for herself and partner Achi.
The screening will begin on Wednesday, February 25, at 4:30 p.m. in the James M. Stewart ’32 Theater located on the first floor of 185 Nassau Street. Free and open to the public.
