Taking That Step

Gangster movie Kenya's first Oscar contender

By Jim Stenman.

A hard-hitting Kenyan movie about gang culture has become the country's first-ever film to be considered for an Oscar.

"Nairobi Half Life" has just been shown at Film Africa 2012, which is currently taking place in London -- having already made history as the most successful theatrical release for a local film in Kenya, according to its producers.

It's the debut film from Kenyan director David "Tosh" Gitonga, who says he wants to change views about crime in the country.

"We keep saying crime is wrong, but are we really looking at why there is crime?" he says. "I don't believe Kenyans get into crime for fun and giggles."

Prior to shooting, Gitonga wanted to understand the story behind Nairobi's crime culture and to fully comprehend the situation he spent time with real-life gangsters.

This experience led him to hear stories of gang members flooding properties and defecating on porches after robberies. He was told: "It hurts us that you have these things we don't have."

Watch a scene from the movie

Gitonga admits he was left speechless when asked whether it's fair that some are born into wealth, while others struggle to feed their children just one meal a day.

"I couldn't answer that question and it still haunts me today," he says.

His film chronicles the trials and tribulations of the character Mwas -- a young aspiring actor from rural Kenya who dreams of becoming the next "Bruce Willis."