Boniface Mwangi is the subject of a new independent film set to premier at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.
The film dubbed ‘Softie’ is directed by Kenyan filmmaker Sam Soko. Co-founder of LBx Africa, Soko is sharing a new take on Boniface Mwangi’s story shedding light on the lesser known struggles and accomplishments of Boniface, who has been previously branded as a ‘renegade leader’ as a sociopolitical activist.
The 96-minute feature includes Mwangi’s foray into the political scene, as well as his powerful family dynamics during the 2017 General Elections as they face new possibilities and serious threats to their safety, on the long and dirty road to the ballot. Previously making an impact from the periphery of Government, Bonnie as he is well known is captured on the campaign trail, making a run for Starehe Parliamentary seat, against 7 other aspirants.
According to the Sundance Film Festival site, “Director Sam Soko captures a charming idealist’s transformation through his grassroots campaign, while exploring the complexities of balancing Boniface’s deep love of country with the needs of his family. Moments with Njeri and their children deepen our understanding of the aspiring elected official, offering introspective respites from the turbulent pace of the campaign. Though set against the backdrop of a country in transition, Soko’s film goes beyond politics to reveal what fuels one activist’s need to push for change.”
Though Boniface lost the seat to entertainer Charles Jaguar, the published author has continued to make his presence known in the political and civic sphere through his political organization the Ukweli Party, as well as other projects within Nairobi. Based on a recent updates on Twitter, the ‘Unbound’ author has announced that he is also set to write and release a new book in the near future.
I am writing another book this year 👊🏾! https://t.co/U2DPWViNEB
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) January 22, 2020
Sam Soko is , is an accomplished filmmaker. In 2018, he received an Academy Award–nomination for the short fiction film “Watu Wote”. The film ‘Softie’ is his first feature documentary project. The inaugural viewing for the film ‘Softie’ is set for January 27th 2020, with 4 other viewings there after.
The film was entered into the festival as part of the World Cinema Documentary Competition.
