As a Nairobi journalist probes a land battle entangling the local government and a powerful multinational corporation, covered wounds are revealed and family secrets are exposed. Journalist and co-director Bea Wangondu knows that for the Kikuyu people, land is identity. But a history of colonialism in Kenya stripped communities of their land, leaving many to labor under harsh conditions on the ancestral soil now owned by corporations.
Set against the beautifully captured richness of the landscape, Wangondu’s investigation lays bare the scars of this legacy, centering the voices of Kikuyus. She and co-director Andrew H. Brown weave together a nuanced portrait featuring workers exposing exploitation, a rallying legal battle for land restitution, dreams of life beyond the fields, and finally, Wangondu’s own painful family secrets. A persistent and deeply invested guide, Wangondu leads a pursuit of truth where the lush terrain stands as a living witness to historical trauma and the enduring resilience of those fighting to reclaim the land and their futures.
Filmmaker details: Bea Wangondu
Bea is an award-winning producer, journalist, and founder of The Bea Company, a Kenya-based creative studio dedicated to high quality and culturally rich storytelling with a strong focus on women and girls. Her work spans documentaries, branded films, and community-centered narratives designed for global audiences. Most recently, Bea was a producer for The Last Rhinos: A New Hope (National Geographic). Her short Supastarz made its international premiere at the Durban International Film Festival in 2022 and was nominated at the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF). Additional credits include Netflix’s Kipchoge: The Last Milestone, The Whistleblower, Wariyaha, and Rastasophical Moods.
Filmmaker details: Andrew Brown
Andrew is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker and storyteller who has spent the past decade living and working across sub-Saharan Africa, first as a humanitarian and then behind the camera. Andrew directed, shot, produced, and edited Between the Rains (Tribeca 2023 Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature and Best Cinematography; IDA and Cinema Eye Honors nominee). He also edited National Geographic’s Emmy-winning Path of the Panther and produced, shot, and edited Kifaru (Audience Award, Full Frame 2019; Jackson Wild nominee for Best Editing). His earlier work includes When Lambs Become Lions (Tribeca 2018 Best Editing) and most recently, he was a cinematographer on The Last Rhinos: A New Hope (National Geographic/Disney+).