Daudi Anguka’s ‘Mvera’ to Represent Kenya at The Oscars

Kenyan filmmaker and CEO of AR Films, Daudi Anguka, has been selected to represent Kenya at the 96th Academy Awards in the International Best Feature Film category with his film Mvera.

The English and Swahili language film explores the devastating impact of corrupt leadership on a community in Mombasa, leaving them trapped in poverty. Formerly known as the Best Foreign Language Film category, this category’s submissions demonstrate the growing potential of Kenya’s film industry on the global stage. With earnest delight, Krysteen Savane, the committee’s current Chairperson, acknowledges the superior narrative skills and performance abilities deftly displayed in this season’s entries. Mvera, the brainchild of writer and director Anguka, competes alongside Shimoni by Wangechi Ngugi and Unheard Voices authored by William Okoth.

Shot exclusively in the Coastal region, the film showcases a talented cast headlined by Patrick Owino, Hillary Namanje, Carolyne Rita Mutua, Kibi Salim, Susan Kadide, and Linah Sande in the titular role of Mvera. The motivation behind Mvera, according to Anguka, originates from the inclination of the current generation to share their untold stories. Nyali Cinemax in Mombasa played host to the premier of the film on September 9, and at present, the film is screened in cinemas countrywide.

According to the film’s synopsis, Corruption has left a community in Mombasa impoverished, but a millionaire named Thabiti offers a chance for young people to find employment overseas through his local company. Kenya has struggled with its submissions to the Academy since its initial attempt in 2012, when the short film “Nairobi Half-Life” was placed for consideration at the 85th Academy Awards. Since then, the Kenya Film Commission has submitted six films, with only one, “Watu Wote,” produced by Tobias Rosen in 2017, earning a nomination in the Best Live Action Short Film category.

To qualify for consideration in the Best International Feature category, a film must be longer than 40 minutes. “Watu Wote,” a 22-minute action film, sparked conversation in Kenya as it depicted the December 2015 Mandera bus attack where Al-Shabaab militants targeted Christian passengers while sparing Muslims. Over the past three years, the Kenya Film Commission has received a limited number of submissions, with only one film in 2019, two in 2020, and four in 2021. Among these, Melvin Alusa’s gripping action-drama, “Mission to Rescue,” was selected as Kenya’s official entry for the 94th edition of the Oscars. While Kenya has yet to secure an Academy Award, the hope for a triumphant victory remains steadfast.