Abstract:

After the screening (30 minutes), the filmmakers, political decision makers, activists and researchers will discuss to which extent films can be instrumental in the process of change making. What can be done to translate their findings into a broader discourse in societies?

Two filmmakers from Kenya and Germany embark on a journey to find out more about a mysterious Kenyan object: The only available data is that it came to the Lindenmuseum in Stuttgart, Germany in 1903. Why don’t the museums know more about it? The film crew with both a German and a Kenyan director wanted to find out more about this wooden object from Kenya. Do people back in Kenya remember what it was once made for? And what does it mean to them today? Since it was not possible to take the physical object, a 3D installation was created, and a search through Nairobi and the suburbs began.

Film Credits:

Directors: Elena Schilling, Saitabao Kaiyare

Directors of Photography: Artur Ortlieb, Garry Sonneborn

Production: Ann-Katrin Boberg, Mumo Liku, Daniela Fritz

Website: www.ifobjectscouldspeak.com

The film won the Osmane Sembène Short Film Award 2021, the Los Angeles Cinematography Award 2020, and has been nominated at the African Movie Academy Awards 2020.

Chair:

Katie Gallus

Speakers:

Mwazulu Diyabanza (political activist)