SOFTIE A FILM FOLLOWING THE LIFE OF BONIFACE MWANGI & HIS FAMILY TO PREMIERE IN KENYA OCT 16

Kenyan film “Softie” that follows the life of Kenyan photographer and political activist Boniface Mwangi, his wife Njeri and their kids, will premiere nationwide in Kenya, starting October 16.

Ahead of the nationwide Kenyan viewing of the film Boniface says, “It’s a very important film for Kenyans to watch because it shows what happens behind the scenes in an activist’s family life and their daily struggles,” noting, “It took seven years in the making”.

At the heart of the film lies the tale of how Boniface, nicknamed ‘Softie’ in his childhood years, has long fought injustices in his country Kenya. But as a father of three young children, these qualities create tremendous turmoil between him and his wife Njeri Mwangi whose loyalty to her family is hard as a rock.

Having their private family life on screen has been a difficult and rewarding experience. Njeri says, “This film is not just a single story but the story of what women and mothers and wives like myself give to the cause of what they too believe in but whose contribution is not counted as significant or acknowledged as prominently as their partners.

It has given me a voice and hopefully a chance for women to see themselves and count their contributions to the betterment of not only their families but also their communities and country,” adding, “To all the women out there, this film is for you and your families. We too matter!”

Mwangi says the film his personal struggles as a father, “It unveils the curtain of the struggles of activists; my personal struggles as a father. It’s brutally honest. You will see tears. I have watched it two times and cried both times because it’s vicerial and heartbreaking to see what kind of country we have. It reveals our true colours as a nation and the role of money and ethnicity in politics.”

Directed by Sam Soko, the film chronicles a 7-year journey beginning with chaos filled street protests and culminating in Boniface’s decision to run for a political seat in his old neighbourhood Starehe.

He soon finds that challenging strong political dynasties is putting his family at risk. His wife, Njeri, has long been silent in the background. The decision to run put her and the family on the spot. This brings forth a central question that many of the world’s brightest and most effective changemakers have had to ask themselves, ‘What comes first – family or country?’

The film premiered at Sundance in January 2020, winning a special jury prize for editing. It has since played at a couple of prestigious festivals including CPH: DOX, FullFrame and won Best Film at the Encounters International Documentary Festival and Best Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) 2020.