Rain and other challenges

The rain woke me this morning, and it has continued off and on today. On one hand it is a relief from the unusually hot weather here, but if the rainy season settles in it may make the shoot just that much more challenging. And there certainly are some challenges! TOGETHERNESS SUPREME is shooting on the RED camera, and it is only the second time the camera has been used in Kenya. Not surprisingly, they are experiencing some technical difficulties, and we have the day off today. We will resume shooting on Monday.

Meanwhile, I've changed the working title of the documentary to PRODUCING PAMOJA. Pamoja means "together" in Swahili and the title is inspired by the local cast and crew -- from different ethnic and economic backgrounds -- who have shown a deep dedication toward working together not only to produce of the film but also to give Kenya a brighter future. They have made a huge impression on me, and today I want to share some of their stories.

Collins is a set runner (production assistant) who is from Kibera, and this is his first time working on a film. My first few days, he went everywhere with me. One day in search of a cold Coca-Cola (I NEVER drink soda except in Africa where I crave it for inexplicable reasons) we passed a salon where he introduced me to his mother, Beatrice. Together, they explained to me that this part of Kibera was burned to the ground in the post-election violence. She lost everything. One year later she has managed to rebuild, but the new salon is smaller and she cannot afford equipment like hair dryers.

Nick is the 2nd Assistant Director and also a trainee from Kibera. When asked why he is working on the film he described the opening scene where a fat businessman hits a street kid with his car. The businessman refuses to pay for the child's medical expenses until Otieno pushes him to the ground and forces him to pay. Nick says that all the politicians in Kenya are the same: they won't take responsibility for their actions and they must be forced to do the right thing. He thinks the films sends an important message.

Wilson plays the film’s Kikuyu star, Kamau. A Kikuyu himself, he was raised by his grandmother in Kibera. Like his father, Mwangi, in the film, Wilson's grandmother was a landlord in Kibera. Like Mwangi, her life was threatened during the riots. She was forced out of Kibera permanently, but Wilson, like his character Kamau, believes that tribal conflict must end in order to create equal opportunities for future generations in Kenya.

Chris is a Luo who plays the role of Masher, an ODM campaigner. The characters of Masher and Otieno are friends just as the actors Chris and Geofrey are friends who know each from Dandora, another slum outside Nairobi. In the script, Masher is an anti-Kikuyu thug, and he incites the mob that burns Kamau's father's home. In real life, Chris admits to robbing people as part of a gang in Dandora, but he changed his life after an incident when he was shot by police. He turned his life around, and now, in addition to acting, he thinks he would make a good politician!

One final challenge for today: in order to continue filming I need to raise an additional $2000 immediately. I'm grateful for all my friends, family and strangers who have donated already, but I need another $679 pledges in order to tip the campaign. Please consider making a contribution here and help spread the word.