Director

Joel Bob Nyanja

Cast list

In alphabetical order:

• Bernard Safari as Muntu
• Shirleen Wangari as Muna (as Shirlen Wanjari)
• Charles Kiarie as Sunday
• Charles Bukeko as General Lumumba
• Patrick Oketch as Captain
• Joel Otukho as Ballad Monger
• Lucy Wangui Gichomo as Civil servant
• Ephraim Muriithi as Fence
• Evans Muthini as Jailor
• Anne Njathi as Waguyu
• Veronica Waceke as Shop Assistant
• Jim Were as Kiosk Owner

Credits

• Director:
  • Bob Nyanja
• Writing Credits:
  • Cajetan Boy
  • Martin Thau
• Produced by
  • Co-producer Dorota Budna
  • Line producer Jim Shamoon
  • Producer Oliver Thau
  • Producer Mario Zvan
• Company Credits
  • Production Company:
    • Blue Sky Films, Kenya
    • Papermoon Films, Germany
    • Scopas Medien, Germany
  • Special Effects
    • Cine Chromatix
  • Other Companies
    • Funding by ACP films
    • Sound post-proudction by BASIS BERLIN Postproduktion
    • Funding by Global Film Initiative
• Music by
  • Jan Tilman Schade
• Cinematography by
  • Helmut Fischer

Synopsis

The story is set in legendary Kwetu, a fictional country based on a typical 1970s African military dictatorship. Here, the corrupt leadership revolves around the President, and equally corrupt civil servants terrorize the country’s citizens.

Meanwhile, two small-time crooks, Muntu and Sunday, portrayed Bernard Safir and Charles Kiarie, respectively, have recently been released from prison on a Presidential Pardon, as part of celebrations of the President’s birthday. While celebrating the release on the same day, Muntu meets, and subsequently falls in love with, a Preacher’s daughter, Muna, played by Shirleen Wangari. Of course, Muntu doesn’t bring up his crooked and illegal history, and instead lies, telling Muna he is a big time businessman who owns and operates a profitable market stall.

In order to keep up appearances, Muntu attempts to turn this lie into a reality. Unfortunately, his attempts at building an honest business fails due to total and inescapable corruption of Government and Military officials and institutions.

Angry at the state of things, Muntu retaliates by stealing a millitary uniform, and disguising himself as the arrogant, alcoholic, military man, the “Captain of Nakara”. Our story turns here as the Captain begins to drive sense into corrupt Military and Government officials.

As Muntu becomes more well known for his strong ethical messages, and defense of his rights and his happiness, his celebrity figure grows as he wins widespread admiration of the Kwetu people. Eventually, becoming elected as Kwetu’s president, and finally marrying his love, Muna.

Reviews

1. Oglia, Japeth, and Steve Biko Abuya. “Nairobi's 23rd European Film Festival Serves Comedy Brewed in a Kenyan Pot.” ArtMatters.Info, ArtMatters.Info, 23 May 2014, artmatters.info/2014/05/nairobis-23rd-european-film-festival-serves-comedy-brewed-in-a-kenyan-pot/.
2. Opar, Josephine. “Kenya's Film Distribution Problem.” This Is Africa Lifestyle, This Is Africa, 19 June 2014, thisisafrica.me/lifestyle/kenyas-film-distribution-problem/.
3. Waweru, Kiundu. “The Captain of Nakara Fails to Conquer.” Standard Digital, Standard Group Limited, 26 Oct. 2012, www.standardmedia.co.ke/lifestyle/article/2000069273/the-captain-of-nakara-fails-to-conquer.

Academic Article on the film:

1. Domarkaite, Marija. “European Union’s Support Programmes To African Cinema: Outcomes To Their Practices. Faculty of Humanities of the University of Lisbon. 2013. Print
   1. http://repositorio.ul.pt/bitstream/10451/12337/2/ulfl162167_tm.pdf