Directed by
Cheruiyot Byegon Amos
Country of Origin
Kenya
Runtime
5:00
Category
The story begins with a reporter reporting news on TV. The news is about commemoration of loved ones that were lost to the post election violence in Kenya in the year 2007. Reporter Victoria on TV goes, “We recall a man who was ambushed by a fierce mob as he was trying to look for his daughter who went missing after a stampede caused by gunshot sounds in their village.” As the reporter on TV continues reporting the news, Juma, a 57-year-old man, suddenly wakes up from his sleep and coughs. He is the victim being refered to in the news. He is in pain. His son, who sits on the opposite side, reacts by running to him. The son is scared and confused. His name is Abel. Through a voice-over, Juma reveals that the pain keeps coming back. He asks Abel for water. Abel hands him a glass of water but he can barely hold it. It slips from his hand and falls to the floor. It breaks into pieces. Abel is worried. Juma asks for a pen and paper to write on. Abel hands him a pen but it fails to write just before Juma finishes writing the first word. Abel finds another pen. Juma starts writing. In his letter, Juma reveals some secrets about his current condition of sickness through a voice over. It was his fault that his daughter died. He failed to lock the door as usual before he left for work that day of the stampede. Juma regrets it. He urges Kenyans to use his story as a lesson. He reveals the price (the consequences) of violence – that it leads us into such situations. He urges Kenyans to maintain peace especially during election periods. As soon as he finishes writing the last word, Juma collapses and passes on. Abel cannot believe it. He sobs. The Director calls ‘cut’. It is a film within a film. The Director proceeds to emphasize on the message of the story – that we can manage and mitigate such a disaster (war/violence) by creation of awareness among the public and also by educating the masses.
Director Biography – Cheruiyot Byegon Amos
Amos Cheruiyot, known by his stage name Guzman, is a multifaceted and accomplished self-taught filmmaker with an insatiable curiosity and a passion for innovation. Renowned as a multi-award-winning Film Director and Creative Director, Guzman’s talents extend to all aspects of filmmaking, encompassing producing, screenwriting, camera operation, editing, lighting, and sound engineering.
With a diverse skill set, Guzman excels as a VFX Supervisor, utilizing Houdini and Nuke to bring captivating visual effects to life. As a Film Score Composer, he taps into his musical prowess using Cubase to create evocative soundtracks that enhance storytelling. Additionally, Guzman’s expertise as an FPV Drone Pilot adds a dynamic perspective to his projects.
Guzman’s proficiency as a 3D Modeler using Modo and his expertise as a Film Editor using DaVinci further exemplify his commitment to pushing the boundaries of his craft. As a skilled Screenwriter, he employs DramaQueen and Final Draft application software to weave engaging narratives that captivate audiences.