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M AG A Z I N E
JUNE 2020 ISSUE No. 3
N YCE WA NJ E R I
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Main Feature Guest Columnist Spotlight 14 Through The Lense 04 2 14
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NYCE WANJERI
AWARD WINNING ACTRESS NYCE WANJERI TALKS TO US ABOUT FAMILY, HER CAREER AND WHAT DRIVES HER TO BE A GREATER ACTRESS U ; When did Nyce Wanjeri begin her artistic journey as an actress? N ; My artistic journey as a professional Actress started after high school. U ; What kind of child were you? Did you know you wanted to be an actress at an early age? N ; At first I was a naughty tomboy but after class six I grew up and became a good girl, very active in church especially in dancing, acting and singing. I had no idea I would become an actress, and never knew anything like that existed... When I got to high school all I wanted was to become the next Julie Gichuru or Lilian Muli. U ; How did your parents react to your decision to be an actress?
N ; My dad passed when I was in class 6, so he never knew anything about my acting, after high school I started performing set books... It was my only way since no money for college ... So my mum was happy that I was working and I was good at it... She was happy for me and cheered me on, until 2016 when she went to be with the lord... She was my number one fan. U ; How has your journey been as an actor? N ; My journey has not been easy, from
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attending so many auditions without luck, sometimes the pay was too little to cater for any of my bills, and of course getting genuine people to employ me... There have been great moments too, of doing what I love, putting food on my table,
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PAGE 3 “Before someone else believes in me... I have to believe that I am someone.”
CONT’ND...... being able to dress well at least and of course the fame that comes with it . U ; What has been the most challenging time in your life and show has it impacted you as an actor? N ; The most challenging time of my life was when I became a young mum and knowing another small person depends on me fully, also when I lost my mum...it changed my life. When I left auntie boss too ...I really loved that character and I used to do it with all of my heart... the challenges have made me know myself better, grow stronger and know that nothing is permanent... When you have time with stuff love And enjoy them because you don’t know your tomorrow... As an actor I have learnt to depend on myeslf more. Before someone else believes in me... I have to believe that I am someone. U ; You have a daughter and we have to say she is an extremely beautiful young lady, what does she think of the character ‘shiru’? N ; Awww..thank you on her behalf...it’s all God .My daughter loves that her mama is famous and she loves it when I act ... She loved the character so much... She imitates me till today... She watches the repeats of auntie boss on maisha magic east..and she would tell me ‘mum how do you do it..when you are mum you are different from shiru?’ U ; Does she want to be a famous actress like her famous mommy? N ; About that I am not sure..She is still too young to know what she wants to do...We are just experimenting with everything she likes...but she loves the camera.
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MAIN FEATUREURE
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U ; You won a continental award (AMVCA) for your work as an actress. How was that experience, standing on that stage in Nigeria and having the whole of Africa looking at you? N ; Standing in front of all those people in Nigeria was more than a dream come true. It was my first award and it has changed my life.I am no longer Nyce Wanjeri, I am now Nyce Wanjeri, award winner. More will come I believe so. U ; Have you encountered any sexism in your journey as an actor? N ; When I was doing my first audition ever after high school, one group manager told me to go to his house to get a book... And when I refused he wasn’t happy at all... I never let it or give any of the bosses that I can be that or condone that... I am one of the lucky ones. U ; Kenya’s tv and entertainment has seen tremendous growth in the past years. Do you think women are treated equally and are paid equally to their male counterparts? N ; Entertainment has really grown. With regards to acting, where I have acted we are treated the same as talent..Gender doesn’t matter... And so many great Female producers are on top. U ; We cannot live a life of continuously asking the government for help, so what roles do you think artists can play in making sure there is equality for women? N ; Once the government acknowledges that the film industry should be respected and funded too like Nigerians ..it will be so easy for females to have equality in the film industry... Most great producers in Kenya are women U ; What really annoys you about Kenya’s entertainment industry? N ; The government recognizes musicians and forgets about actors... If we can get great support from them, by allowing us to give our stories as we want, we would really be recognized too by other great countries, also actors would really get paid for just acting which we are good at. Most of actors can’t depend on acting fully, we have to have a side hustle for just to pay bills. We need to get as serious as Nigerians or Tanzania ... They are way ahead yet we have the best of the best in this country.
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U ; How has the Corona virus affected you as an artist? N ; Corona virus pandemic has really affected me... All jobs were suspended without warning, I was not prepared... So it has been hard in all sorts of ways. U ; So what is next for Nyce Wanjeri? N ; What is next for Nyce...? I don’t like counting the chicks before they hatch but a lot is on the way.... After this pandemic is gone ... Oo ooh l have a lot in store.... Online and TV.. So stay tuned. U ; If you had some advice for your younger self what would it be? N ; Advice for the young me would be.... Don’t be in a hurry to settle down with anyone.... Get to know you first then you can know someone else later... And God has surprises for you.... Take it easy...Move with your pace and listen more. U
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GUEST COLUMNIST
BREATHE
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- By Jacquie
PART 2
She sat there feeling exasperated. This was supposed to be easier. She was supposed to move on and somehow she missed him. She missed his company. She missed the scent of his favourite hoodie. She missed when he would sweep her off her feet and kiss her randomly. He was romantic. When it suited him at least. Her heart ached. She knew he was wrong for her, and yet there was a familiarity to him she could not shake off. That was what she missed. The familiarity. It reminded her of home. Tears stung her eyes. The familiarity. It reminded her of home. It reminded her of her parents and their broken relationship. Only this time, it was happening to her and with a man who was not her husband. Suddenly she was frightened. She had sworn never to be with a man who broke down his woman to make it, and here she was struggling to move on from a similar kind of man. Her heart ached. The kind that makes you want to close your eyes and forget. The kind of ache that makes you unable to do anything else. It aches. It aches. It aches. “Joanna, I need your help.” “What’s up?” “Remember Jake?” “Is this supposed to be a joke? Because if it is, it isn’t funny.” “No. I’m being serious.” “Okay, I remember him. He was the worst. He treated you like you were his slave. He didn’t really care about you and he was so possessive.”
“I remember.” “What did you mean?” “The way you talked about Jake was the same way you talked about your dad. With silent disapproval. He treated you the same way your dad treated your mum and you hated it. You hated speaking about it even more.” “I did. He hurt me in ways I can’t speak about. My mum never said anything despite being mistreated. I vowed never to date such a person. I…….” “You wanted better for yourself.” “Yes.” “Sue, it’s okay. For the longest time I didn’t understand why you never dated. Then Jake came along and suddenly you were in love. Then I met Jake and I didn’t understand. Until the day you told me about your dad. I know you want to do better. I know you want to be with someone who will listen. Someone who will be there and be your partner. I get that. But Sue, you can’t do that when you still resent your dad.” “Why not?” “Because the first example of love in your life was coloured.” “But what am I supposed to do?” “You need to forgive him honey.” “I can’t.”
“Please stop!” “Sue, what’s going on? Are you and Jake getting back together?” “No, Joanna. Do I miss him? Yes. Do I feel like calling him or showing up at his door step? I do. But that’s not what this is about.”
“What is it about?”
“The first time you met Jake, you said he reminded you of my dad. Do you remember?”
You can. You just have to find it in you. That’s the only time you’ll reconnect with the girl who loves to paint and dance. And maybe even change into someone new.” “How?” “You take a deep breath and listen.” U
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SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
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Wambui Katee
SINGER/SONGWRITER U W U W
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Introduce youself ‘majina ya serikali pia My name is Catherine Wambui alias Wambui Katee. How long have you been singing? This is my second year, I have been singing since childhood, however, it is in 2018 that I opted to venture into music as a full time career. U : Do you write your own songs? Yes I do. What inspires you? . W : However, I believe in team work and thus allow other people’s hand in my work. I have engaged a couple of song writers in work for instance Tanzanian RnB singer Tommy Flavour played a critical role in helping me piece up Mahabuba while Vijana Barubaru had a hand in the making of Vixen..
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SPOTLIGHT
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CONT’’ND... ...My greatest inspiration comes from my inner circle that is my family and friends. My mother has been singing for many years and through her I found myself in love with music. She has been a great inspiration in my music journey. Also, within the contemporary society, many people, especially the youth do not speak out regarding the issues affecting them. Through music I have the opportunity and platform to talk of the things that are affecting or being experienced in the society. Therefore, I can say that my inspiration is also drawn from the daily lives of people inclusive of the happy moments and challenges that people experience in the society. U : Who is your biggest musical influence? W : Internationally, I have grown listening to Anne Marie and Rihanna while locally I admire Vanessa Mdee’s style of music a lot. U : Your cover of Sauti Sol’s song Suzanna is called Yohana, what went behind writing that song. Is it a cover or a response? W : Suzanna by Sauti sol is one of the best tracks that have been released in the recent past. Many people can relate to the theme being explored in the song considering the fact that many people in Kenya and Africa in general have fallen victims of the western culture.
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SPOTLIGHT
CONT’’ND... The song speaks volumes on matters going on in the society. when I listened to the song, it was apparent that the song presented the message from a man’s point of view and thus I thought it would be good that I do not just redo it like my previous covers but rather change it a little bit to present the same message but now from a woman’s point of view Regarding whether the song is a cover or a response, personally, I perceive it as a modified version of a cover since it is only small segments of the song that have been changed in my cover to act as a response. U : How has your journey as a musician been so far? W : Generally, my journey has been amazing. However, I have faced many challenges that other musicians go through for instance, lack of enough funds to promote my songs and keeping up with the high Apart from these hurdles, I am grateful that people love the music I produce and optimistic that the future will be brighter for both me as a person and as a brand.
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SPOTLIGHT
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U : How do you think women are portrayed in the music industry in Kenya? W : Within the Kenyan music industry, women are not respected as it should be. Women are highly objectified which is so saddening. U : What steps do you think should be taken so women can be less objectified and be treated with respect and as equal partners to me? W : To be honest, I think women will never be equal to men. We are at a time when women have the opportunity to be independent,to stand out on their own,and this however is mostly circumstancial. Men have become lazy, rude and immensely unavailable to us as women. The major step we women must take as per now is to embrace the opportunity and stand firm in our goals and vision. When a man objectifies a woman it means he’s either feeling inferior or just needs a woman to feel like they are subject to them. I’d urge all of us women,to stay firm in our values,to speak up when objectified and to build ourselves so strongly that men feel intimidated to even use us. Men and women are not equals but women are the backbone of every course! U : Which artist would you like to work with in the future? W : I would like to work with Vanessa Mdee, Nyashinski, Nviiri the story Teller and Simi U : Finally,if you had one superpower,what would it be? W : I would like to be invisible.U
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THROUGH THE LENSE
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REIN MVUA MWAMBONU Wavua Mwambonu We chat with film/docufilm maker Rein Mwambonu on this month’s THROUGH THE LENSE segment and she opens up on different issues from family,her challenges,achievements and the growth of Kenya’s film and docufilm industry.
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THROUGH THE LENSE
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U : Was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking was not just a hobby, but that it would be your life and your living? R : As a kid, I did not always know that I want to be a film maker, but there were aspects of storylling in my life. There was a moment I was drawing, then in high school I would write novels, quite steamy ones that people would line up to read, then slowly by slowly I got involved in poetry and in a way I feel all these things led me in the direction that I headed into. It wasn’t a plan per se because I studied journalism and media studies in school and everything begun to take shape slowly by slowly, as I was doing all these things, I wanted to represent it on a visual medium and I felt video was the best medium. I began slowly and things started to fall into place, when I started earning a little bit from it I thought to myself maybe I can do something. Cause you know with our parents you can’t tell them that you want to do film, I mean I got an A in my KCSE, there was no way I was telling my mum I am going to study film in university and she pays for it, so I just had to keep doing the things that I love doing which was storytelling and slowly by slowly all the pieces came together. Q : Is it harder to get started or to keep going? What was the particular thing that you had to conquer to do either? A ; I don’t think it’s hard to get started but it’s hard to keep going because there are moments you will question what you are doing, is it worth it? What is your purpose for what you are doing? For me my biggest struggle has been imposter syndrome. Just that feeling that you are not doing good enough or you are just not good enough and it has made me put a lot of things
A : and projects on pause, it has been crippling in a way because when you feel you aren’t good enough sometimes it cripples the things you have started, the things you are about to work on and so you are constantly procrastinating and doubting if you are good enough for the next step. It affects your ability to experiment as it puts you in a form of rigidity because you do not want to fail and it validates the fact that you are not good enough and so you are in this place where you are not experimenting enough to grow as a creative.
“ I think we have been taught to fear failure so much that we don’t like taking risks.” Q : What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on your film? How did that lesson happen? A : WOW…firstly I think I am at the learning phase where I am trying to create something of my own. However one of the most important lessons I have learnt is let yourself experiment. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to film because people perceive story telling very differently. So experimenting and letting yourself go where the outcome takes you I feel is something I am practicing. Experimentation is beautiful and we should do it more, that why in my opinion whatever is on our TV screen can get boring especially within the Kenyan TV context because there is hardly experimentation and we rarely ask question about what is put there. So room for experimenting and allowing yourself to see what outcome will come even if they are bad, you live and you learn.
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THROUGH THE LENSE
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Q : What makes a film great for you? A : I feel a really good story is what makes a film great, the execution of a really great story. It’s not just in the technical aspect because I feel currently the world has really advanced especially when you look at stories coming from Africa, we have great technical abilities, the cinematography is usually on point, the the cinematography is usually on point, the lighting is trying đ&#x;˜Šđ&#x;˜Š however what I feel is missing is a really strong, beautifully told, authentic story, something that is emotional and stays with you long after you have watched it. I feel that is missing in quite a number of films that I have seen. Q : Are there certain qualities that make a film better for you? A : I think having nuanced characters, you find that most characters currently are two dimensional, but characters that are three dimensional have more depths and you get to understand why they do what they do. I feel that’s one of the qualities that would make a film great, when I get to relate with where the character is coming from, care about them, and even though I haven’t done the things that they have done, I see their point of view. Sound is also an important, I think we are still trying sound-wise, things like sound design take a film to the next level but I don’t think we have invested in that in Kenya yet. Q : We get noticed because of our successes – but we create them on the back of our failures. We learn best from the experiences where it doesn’t work. And yet we still only discuss the success, not the failure. What failures (of your own) have you been able to learn from? How did they change you and your process?
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THROUGH THE LENSE
Page 17 A : I think we have been taught to fear failure so much that we don’t like taking risks. One of much that we don’t like taking risks. One of my biggest shortcomings was not dreaming big enough and it’s something I am rectifying. My shortcomings were really out of film, I had a poetry gig that I regret not going hard for and yet it was one of the big ones that I started with Gufy the poet. I was catering to more of a secular audience and I was going strong, however I let people and things get to me and eventually the event went under, yes there were other issues but I feel like I did not go too hard for it. Also not taking opportunities and trying to stay in my cocoon and comfort zone. I now push myself get roles beyond what I am known for, I feel more alive when I wake up and take risks and do some thing that is different and discover new skill sets that I knew I had but had probably not put them to use. I am more willing to take risks. Q : Is the film business fair for women? A : Hahaha..Wow..I don’t know whether to be politically correct or not. I feel there is still an under representation of women in various fields within film and media in general. There aren’t many women working in certain levels, you find that they are fairly represented in make-up but when in it comes to directing there is not enough of them. I think maybe we have not grabbed onto the opportunities to make ourselves seen or maybe we are grappling with many other issues. Personally I feel we should put ourselves out there more aggressively because even when you are really talented and not aggressive to get to where and what you want it may be difficult for people to see you. Men really talk about their works, I have been around cinematographers, even some who are not that great but the way they gloat about their work and their achievements,
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THROUGH THE LENSE
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they are quick to attribute the work and roles they do in films and want to be credited for that. I think as women if we put our credits, our achievements and accomplishments out there we’d be able to reach out for more opportunities. The Biggest thing I feel is we need to STOP SHORTCHANGING ourselves, if you think you are worth a certain amount of money you should say it with you chest. Go in there with your rates say it with your chest and mean it. Q : There is big importance of social media in many aspects of the film process. Are you on social media and do you use it in your work? A : Lately I have been re-inventing myself and I have been very interested in new media innovation and social media is a really big tool. Recently I got an opportunity out of some thing I posted on social media, it only had a hundred views but out of those views I got a really good opportunity that I would otherwise not have gotten if I hadn’t put my work up. We need to use it not just as a tool for marketing but as a tool exposure and distribution because when it comes to film one of the biggest challenges is film distribution, main stream media is not taking in enough shows and films, just content as a whole, so we need to use social/new media in our work. Even with things like TikTok, as a person in
and new media. “need to STOP SHORTCHANGING ourselves, if you think you are worth a certain amount of money you should say it with you chest.â€? Q : Finally, Do you still write? Are they still steamy? Hahahaha...Let’s just say of late, i think i am getting back to that. I am practising and reading alot,so it will be as grown as i am. I want to experiment with different formats of media,not just video because I did not start there, I started with other things and I would like to incorporate them into my works. U ; How does your mom take it now that you are a film maker? R ; Hahaha..nimeona hii swali nikaanza kucheka. I don’t think sh eunderstand what i do..hehe.. she’s likeâ€?anafanyanga hizi kazi za mediiaâ€? I don’t know, maybe I shopuld try showing her more of my work. I think it’s very different from the traditional careerer paths that she grew up knowing. I think it may take a while for her to get used to it and to understand why i don’t have a 9-5 or a salary like normal peopleđ&#x;˜…đ&#x;˜…..but my dad tries. U
film, you need to be on top of your game, right now TikTok has created a whole new opportunity for content creators to easily create content, you see some of the content on there would take film makers like two to three weeks to do and yet right now because of the platform it is being done within a day by people on social media. It is important to evolve with the times and look at what opportunities are there or lie within social
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