TAHARUKI {SUSPENSE}

a short film

Written & Directed by Ekwa Msangi-Omari

USA, KENYA І 2011 І Drama-Thriller І In Kiswahili, English subtitles І 12 min. І 16x9 І LtRt

e-pic Film Press Contact:

Ekwa Msangi-Omari І 40 Tehama Street, Suite 5D І Brooklyn, NY 11218

tel: (646) 522-1600 І fax: (718) 633-1252 І ekwa@ekwapics.com

http://taharukithefilm.com

Miriam Chemmoss as “Waridi” in Taharuki (Suspense). Photo credit: Milton Kam

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Set against the backdrop of the

start of the devastating post-

election violence that took place in

Kenya in 2007/2008 and has left

tens of thousands of Kenyans

homeless, traumatized or dead,

Taharuki (Suspense) is the fic-

tional account of a man and

woman from opposing ethnic tribes

who’re working for an underground

liberation movement to expose a

child-trafficking cartel when some-

thing goes wrong, and they’re

forced to make tough choices in

order to stay alive and complete

their mission. Time is running out, lives are at stake, and every second counts. What they choose

could change the course of history...

I’ve always been fascinated by espionage, undercover opera-

tives, and Africa’s history of freedom struggle, but growing up

in East Africa, the idea of people in cat suits ricocheting off of

high buildings just didn’t seem practical or probable. On the

other hand, the idea of commoners going undercover to fight

crime did.

The horrors of Kenya’s 2007/8 Post Election Violence - the

effects of which we are still uncovering and will continue to do

so for a time to come - were swept under the rug so hurriedly

without a true investigation of what “really” happened. There

continues to be outcries for justice, international tribunals and

intervention which led me to wonder what our own local style

of justice-keeping might look like. What if, we the people, or-

ganized our own justice-seekers and peace-makers to combat

the injustices in our society? Who would those people look like

and what would they do?

It is my belief is that those people already exist. They struggle

every single day out of the public eye to make our countries

free and fair, and they don’t wear stage make up or have com-

plicated gadgets with which to do it. They’re just regular peo-

ple . This film is for them and for those of us who are working to support them with our respective

skills and talents.

SYNOPSIS

Director watches the action on the set.

L-R: E. Msangi-Omari (Dir.) M. Chem-

moss (Waridi). Photo credit: Liz Strong.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Kevin meets the Intruder. Gilbert Owuor. Photo credit: Milton Kam

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THE IDEA

I’d been working on an action-adventure feature film idea for a few months, but having spent two

years working in television, I decided that I needed to make a stepping stone before going full

throttle into a feature. I had friends who could act, crew and offer locations (the key ingredient for

any independent producer’s arsenal!), and I had the idea to make something that could act as a

precursor or introduction to my feature. So I put on a timer for an hour and did a free-write to see

what would come out.

Surprised at how dark the story was, I went back a few times to see where I could tweak it, but

eventually decided that perhaps there was space for this content. Yes, the material is dark, but its

also very hopeful. It’s a story of struggle for freedom and for love.

Having grown up as a foreigner in Kenya in an expatriate community during the Moi regime, I’d

often heard of how divided “those Kenyan people” were. I’m happy to say that I’ve experienced

differently. While there are plenty of Kenyans working for self enrichment (as there are anywhere

else in the world), there are also many thousands of Kenyans working for a common good of all

its citizens, a fact that is rarely—if ever—highlighted anywhere that I’ve seen.

I believe it’s important for a people to have faith

in their own citizens and their ability to genuinely

care for one another. This story is an ode to that

belief: Africans handling their business and tak-

ing matters into their own hands as we continue

to do on a daily basis. Often times we hit road-

blocks, but we’re a resilient bunch and it’ll take a

lot more than a little death and destruction to

keep progress from happening!

PRODUCTION

Once set with a tight script and my producing partner and friend Kia Barbee (the other key ingre-

dient for any producer’s arsenal!), we decided to launch an IndieGoGo campaign in order to raise

a little money for the production. Who knew fundraising was so much work! We managed to rally

quite a few troops and gather a good deal of support along the way (also with the help of some

good friends: do you see a trend here?) and raised a total of about $6k. Well below what a pro-

duction of this caliber should cost, but plenty for what we had in mind.

Milton Kam, my long-time friend and Director of Photography, and I spent several weeks talking

about the script, watching films, dreaming and pushing the envelope, while the actors (all in differ-

ent states) and I had phone conferences to discuss character, back-story, accents, use of lan-

guage, wardrobe and what we wanted to say about Kenya.

On the day of the shoot, everyone brought their “A” game, and 15 hours of shooting/3 hours of

makeup later, we had the film in the can. Three months of editing, sound designing, color correct-

ing and title-making later, we have a final cut with original music by Eric Wainaina.

Despite the challenges, this film was made solely by the efforts and contribution of a lot of very

talented and dedicated people, eager to get more great African stories out there. Everyday

brought its own discoveries and surprises, yet the team was able to come together to successfully

create Ekwa’s vision of TAHARUKI. To them I say Ahsanteni (Thank you!)

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Kevin left for dead. Gilbert Owuor. Photo credit: Milton Kam

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EKWA MSANGI-OMARI (WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER):

Ekwa has directed for some of the biggest TV shows in East Africa including

The Agency (MNET) a 13-part TV series which she created, show-ran, and di-

rected; the hit show Block-D (KBC), and most recently co-created critically ac-

claimed Higher Learning (NTV) along with several short films. She’s written for

TV and film, and produced several shorts. Weakness, a short film she recently

produced, has screened worldwide, including New York, Durban and Brazil and

was nominated for a 2010 Kalasha Award and a 2011 AMAA-Award.

KIA BARBEE (CO-PRODUCER):

Barbee’s producing credits include, I’m Not Me (directors: Zak Mulligan and

Rodrigo Lopresti), a psychological thriller recently showcased at 2010 IFP Pro-

ject and the dramatic short, Judo Girl (director Ela Thier). As a playwright and

actress, two of her plays, Pathways Often Crossed, but Seldom Walked and

Dare Me, which she produced and ran, were featured at the National Black

Theater Festival, Here Theater, and New Victory Theater, amongst others. A

prolific writer, Barbee is currently developing her fifth feature script. She is a

graduate of Binghamton University where she majored in Cinema/Theater.

MILTON KAM (DIR. OF PHOTOGRAPHY):

Nominee for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography, Kam has

worked on over 16 feature films and 50 short films in numerous countries

worldwide. His attention to detail, artistic eye and collaborative spirit has

helped him to establish close partnerships with a variety of directors such as

Simon Rumley, Paris Leonti, Hannah Beth King, and now Ekwa Msangi-

Omari. Kam was raised in Suriname, a Dutch-speaking country in South

America, where his early training in the fine arts cultivated the principles he

has come to build on in his career.

INNA BRAUDE (CONSULTING PRODUCER):

Inna Braude has worked as a Producer, Assistant Director, and Production

and Post-Production Supervisor, in over thirty short and feature film produc-

tions ranging in budgets and scope. Titles include Twelve Thirty (director Jeff

Lipsky), Cold Souls (director Sophie Barthes), The Hungry Ghosts(dir. Michael

Imperioli), Adventureland (director Greg Mottola) and The Education Of Char-

lie Banks (director Fred Durst). Braude recently wrote and directed her short

film, Three Prayers for June. She studied at the New York Film Academy

where she wrote, directed and produced award-winning short films My First

Story and Private Beach.

VIRGINIA HASTINGS (PRODUCTION DESIGNER):

Virginia Hastings is an emerging filmmaker from the state that bears her

name. In both her Production Design and Directing, Virginia approaches her

work as a visual cultural anthropologist, turning the visceral and intangible into

the material. "My job is to understand the character, then reflect

their psychology in the physical manifestation." Virginia has worked behind

the camera with The White House, VH1, Target, The Farnsworth Art Museum,

and in front of the camera in Sensodyne's Pronamel National Ad Cam-

paign. Virginia is a graduate from Warren Wilson College in Studio Art, and

Maine Media College in Film Directing.

THE FILMMAKERS

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EDDIE PERODIN (EDITOR):

Eddie is an editor for New York City’s “Ad Agency of the Year” (Ad Age 2010).

His editorial work crosses many creative lines, from music videos to high-impact

sales videos and motion picture shorts. Having graduated from The State Uni-

versity of New York at Stony Brook with a B.S in Business Management and

studying Film Production at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Eddie

has a full understanding of both the business and creative side of production and

is always willing to take on new challenges.

CARLOS “STORM” MARTINEZ (SOUND DESIGNER):

Carlos is a Grammy Award winning audio engineer and an award-winning Sound

Editor/Designer with 15 years of experience in the music industry and over 5

years in film. His most recent film collaboration, God of Love (2010), won a Stu-

dent Academy Award. He says about being a sound designer, “The techniques

are essentially the same [as in the music business,] - but now I get to create

whole worlds!”

ERIC WAINAINA (MUSIC COMPOSER):

Most famous for his 2001 debut album, Sawa Sawa, Wainaina began his career

with the gospel Acappella group Five Alive, and later went on to study at the

Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating with honors. He was instantly

labeled “Kenya’s favorite modern musician” after the release of his song “Kenya

Only,” which was adopted as the unofficial national song of mourning after the

1998 terrorist bombings in Nairobi. His second solo album, Twende, Twende

was released in 2006. In addition, he has written a musical entitled Mo Faya

and received the Best Original Soundtrack Award at the 2009 African Movie

Awards for his original music on the film From A Whisper.

On the set of “Taharuki (Suspense)” L-R: E.Msangi-Omari (Dir) M. Kam (DP)

T.Trotman (AC). Photo credit: Liz Strong.

THE FILMMAKERS (cont’d)

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GILBERT OWUOR (KEVIN): Owuor’s acting credits include Someday This Pain

Will Be Useful to You with Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu and Deborah Ann Woll;

All My Children on television, and Off-Broadway has performed with the likes of

NYSF Public Theater, Signature Theater, NYSF Delacorte Shakespeare in the

Park, American Repertory Theater, Commonwealth Shakespeare Co Boston,

and Phoenix Players in Nairobi to name a few. He is a graduate of the Yale

Drama School where he earned the Oliver Thorndike Acting Award.

MIRIAM CHEMMOSS (WARIDI): An all-rounded performer with multiple credits

to her name, Chemmoss has had lead roles in several independent films and

television pilots such as Refuge (2003), Bedford Diaries (2006), and Ya Ma Af-

rika (2007) to name a few. Her full acting repertoire includes Community and Re-

gional Theater, Off-Broadway, Film, Television, Print, Radio, Voice-overs and

Webcasts. Following the wide success of her single Rudi from her 2007 album,

she is currently working on her second album, Lovebird to be released later this

year.

CHRIS KAMAU (INTRUDER): Arts, Entertainment, and Media Practitioner with

more than 15 years experience in radio, stage, and television, Kamau is well trav-

elled globally and channels the rich diversity of his experience, bringing a fresh,

edgy, multi-cultural perspective to his work. Classically trained in both theater

and music, Kamau has performed both on stage and on screen in a variety of

capacities. Best known for his role as one of the founding members of Five Alive,

East & Central Africa’s premier five-part male harmony accapella singing group,

Kamau has acted in several short films and as a voice-over on Conan O’Brien.

Director Ekwa Msangi-Omari discusses the scene with actor Chris Kamau on the set of

“Taharuki” (Suspense). Photo credit: Liz Strong.

THE CAST

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CAST:

Waridi Miriam Chemmoss

Kevin Gilbert Owuor

Intruder Chris Kamau

Trafficked Child Kiara Chloe Daito McFadden

Murky Figure 1 Kakuri Omari

Murky Figure 2 Moses Tar

Murky Figure 3 George Wilson Jr.

Murky Figure 4 Lavern Rutivi

CREW:

Executive Producer Ekwa Msangi-Omari

Co-Producer Kia Barbee

Consulting Producer Inna Braude

Associate Producers Njeri Micheu

Monika Greenleaf

Writer/Director Ekwa Msangi-Omari

Assistant Director Ela Thier

Director of Cinematography Milton Kam

Assistant Camera Tim Trotman

Script Supervisor Alex Seki

Gaffer Alexa Harris

Grip Lavern Lutivi

Production Designer Virginia Hastings

Art Design (Kenya) Ali Mwangola

Assistant Props (Kenya) Hatibu Mohammed

Assistant Production Design Njeri Micheu

Location Sound Wade Vantrease

Hair & Make Up Monique Albritton

Production Assistants Oliver Luisi

Vincho Nchogu

Stills Photographer Elizabeth Strong

Behind the Scenes Video Ellison Santos

Location City Explorers, Inc.

Catering Kohzee Café and Restuaruant, Park Slope

Catering PA Adobuere Ebiama

Offline Editor Eddie Perodin

Titles and Color Winnie Ng

Assistant Editor Cameron Kelly

Supervising Sound Editor &

Re-Recording Mixer Carlos “Storm” Martinez

Additional Sound FX (Kenya) George Audi

Original Music Eric Wainaina

IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

CREDITS

Feature Film, approx 120 mins

To Be Shot on Location in Nairobi, Kenya, 2011 Red Camera

¤ In Development

SYNOPSIS An apolitical college professor comes to Nairobi city after Post Election Violence to collect her dead hus-band’s remains and discovers his death was a murder for unexplained political reasons. Against better ad-vice, she hunts for answers through Nairobi’s underbelly, resulting in her young son’s kidnapping, until she has no choice to but to turn to her only allies—a group of street boys and a secret underground liberation movement—to rescue him before it’s too late.

Contact: Ekwa Msangi-Omari

¤ info@ekwapics.com

+1.646.522.1600

PRODUCTION TEAM:

SWEET JUSTICE

EKWA MSANGI-OMARI (WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER): Ekwa has directed for some of the biggest TV shows in East Africa including The Agency (MNET) a 13-part TV series which she created, show-ran, and directed; the hit show Block-D (KBC), and most recently co-created critically acclaimed Higher Learning (NTV) along with several short films. She’s written for TV and film, and produced several shorts. Weakness, a short film she recently produced, has screened worldwide, including New York, Durban and Brazil and was nominated for a 2010 Kalasha Award and a 2011 African Movie Academy Award.

APPIE MATERE (PRODUCER): Appie has worked as Producer, Line Producer, Production Manager/Coordinator/Secretary and Fixer on over 30 TV commercials, documentaries, short & feature films and television series, ranging in budget and scope. Some titles include Money and the Cross (dir. Bob Nyanja), Wamba (dir. Yves Tholante), Changes (MNET) 50 Years of Nation Media Group (NTV) - nominated Best Documentary 2011 AMAA, and Killer Necklace (dir. Judy Kibinge) - nominated for Best Short Film, 2009 AMAA. She has a BBA in Business Administration from University of Cambridge.

IN DEVELOPMENT—FEATURE FILM (sequel to “Taharuki”)

MILTON KAM (DIR. OF PHOTOGRAPHY): Nominee for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography, Kam has worked on over 16 feature films and 50 short films in numerous countries worldwide. His attention to detail, artistic eye and collaborative spirit has helped him to establish close partner-ships with a variety of directors such as Simon Rumley, Paris Leonti, Hannah Beth King, and now Ekwa Msangi-Omari. Kam was raised in Suriname, a Dutch-speaking country in South America, where his early training in the fine arts cultivated the principles he has come to build on in his career.